Nigeria’s immediate past Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has stated that with political will, the government can provide affordable housing projects for its citizens.
Osinbajo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, stated this on Tuesday in Lagos while delivering his keynote address during the 2026 Wemabod Real Estate Outlook, themed “Unlocking Land and Infrastructure for Inclusive Housing”.
He restated that with firm political commitment and private sector backing, the government can successfully deliver housing projects for citizens.
“With private sector support introducing market discipline, governments, if they can provide social housing, can provide the sort of model that Bodija has given us. It can be provided; it is a matter of political will,” Osinbajo said.
He stressed that within three years of his tenure as Vice President, he visited Borno State to inaugurate 15,000 housing units constructed by the state government.
“The only government that outstripped what Borno State did is probably the Lateef Jakande housing estates, which, of course, were in excess of 15,000 here in Lagos. So, it’s entirely possible; it’s a matter of political will,” he stressed.
According to him, the management of land has long been constrained by fragmented records, overlapping claims, and bureaucratic delays.
Osinbajo emphasised that to unlock efficient urban development, land must be fully digitised, “creating a transparent and accessible database of ownership boundaries and usage rights. Digital titling would reduce disputes, prevent double allocation, and provide a reliable foundation for investments.”
He highlighted that for lending and planning, the processes for land acquisition must be streamlined, “and this is almost a state-by-state thing, but we can develop regional legal frameworks to simplify documentation and ensure predictable timelines. This will encourage both private sector and public infrastructure development.”
Osinbajo added that by modernising land administration, the country can reduce corruption, enhance general security for homeowners and developers, and support proactive land banking and urban expansion strategies that are well coordinated with infrastructure delivery.
Osinbajo maintained that inclusive, sustainable housing is possible, adding that it is a policy choice and a matter of political will.
“South-West Nigeria does not lack land, capital, or expertise. What it lacks is a coherent regional vision that treats housing as the backbone of urban development. He concluded, “The question is not whether we know what to do, but whether we are ready to do it.”
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer of Wemabod, Bashir Oladunni, explained that between 2023, when Wemabod was launched, and the present date, it has recorded growth.
He highlighted that this year’s theme signals a shift from managing challenges to building enduring solutions.
“It recognises that housing is not merely a social obligation but a foundation for economic productivity, social stability, and sustainable urban growth,” he said.
Oladunni pointed out that Nigeria’s housing challenge is not just about supply, stressing that it is about access and affordability.
“At the heart of this challenge are two structural constraints: land and infrastructure. Without accessible, properly titled land, housing remains expensive. Without enabling infrastructure, roads, rails, power, water, and social services, housing cannot scale, and cities cannot thrive. This is where regional development commissions become critically important. These commissions were created to unlock regional potential, coordinate infrastructure, and drive development beyond administrative boundaries,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Wemabod Limited, Nureni Adisa, said, “We stand at a pivotal moment in our urban narrative. Across our region, we witness a paradox: vibrant economic growth alongside deepening housing inequality; vast urban sprawl straining against inadequate infrastructure; and land, our most fundamental asset, often trapped in frameworks that limit its potential for the broader good.”
In this article