News
Why Lagos State’s Housing Deficit Persists Despite Ongoing Construction Boom

By Dennis Isong
A housing deficit refers to a situation where there is an insufficient supply of housing units to accommodate the population’s housing needs.
This shortage of housing can result in issues such as overcrowding, homelessness, rising property prices, and limited access to affordable and suitable housing for individuals and families.
The term is often used in discussions about urban planning, real estate, and housing policy to highlight the gap between housing demand and supply in a given area.
Lagos State, Nigeria’s economic and cultural powerhouse, has witnessed a surge in construction activity over the past decade. Skyscrapers and residential buildings have sprung up across the city, seemingly indicating progress and development.
However, beneath this facade of growth lies a persistent issue: the growing housing deficit. Despite the construction boom, Lagos State continues to grapple with an increasing shortage of affordable housing.
In this article, we will explore five key reasons why this housing deficit persists amid the ongoing construction activity.
1. Rapid Urbanization and Population Growth
One of the primary drivers of the housing deficit in Lagos State is the rapid urbanization and population growth. Lagos has become a magnet for people seeking economic opportunities, leading to an influx of migrants from other regions and countries.
This constant population surge far outpaces the rate at which new housing units are being built, exacerbating the gap between supply and demand.
2. High Construction Costs
While construction activity is booming in Lagos, the high cost of building materials and labor has a cascading effect on housing affordability.
Builders face escalating expenses, which are often transferred to potential homeowners through higher property prices.
As a result, many Lagosians find themselves priced out of the market, perpetuating the housing deficit.
Lagos has become a magnet for people seeking economic opportunities, leading to an influx of migrants from other regions and countries.
3. Insufficient Infrastructure Development
The rapid construction of buildings in Lagos has not been matched by an equivalent investment in infrastructure development.
Essential amenities like roads, water supply, sewage systems, and public transportation are struggling to keep up with the expanding city.
This lack of infrastructure diminishes the appeal of newly constructed areas, hindering their potential for affordable housing.
4. Land Ownership and Land Use Regulations
Lagos State’s complex land ownership and land use regulations further compound the housing deficit. Disputes over land ownership and inefficient land allocation processes can delay construction projects and deter potential investors. Moreover, unclear land tenure systems can discourage individuals from investing in real estate, leaving large swaths of land underutilized.
5. Limited Access to Financing
Access to affordable financing options remains a significant barrier to homeownership in Lagos State. High-interest rates on mortgage loans and a lack of financial instruments designed to support affordable housing contribute to the housing deficit. Many individuals and families simply cannot secure the necessary funding to purchase a home, even when properties are available on the market.
▪︎Dennis Isong is a TOP REALTOR IN LAGOS.
He Helps Nigerians in Diaspora to Own Property In Lagos Nigeria STRESS-FREE. For Questions WhatsApp/Call +2348164741041
Crime
Joint Security Forces Nab 12 Kidnap Suspects, Rescue Victims in Kogi/Kwara Operation (Photos)

Twelve suspected kidnappers and one informant have been arrested in a coordinated security operation carried out across parts of Kogi and Kwara States.

This was disclosed on Tuesday by the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo through a press statement made available to newsmen.
He said the suspects were apprehended during a series of raids jointly executed by the Hybrid Force from the Office of the National Security Adviser and Officers and Men of the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Egbe.

The operations covered Isanlu-Esa and Okoloke in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, and Patigi, Lafiagi and Gbugbu in Kwara State.
The statement identified the suspected kidnappers as Mainasara Abubakar, Sadik Abubakar, Jude Sani, Sanda Abubakar, Lawali Usman, Tukur Shehu, Hassan Abubakar, Kabiru Surajo, Makiri Dodo, Bala Hassan, Umaru Sanda, and Ruwa Abubakar. Also arrested was Rabiu Makeri, who is believed to be an informant for the gang.

According to the statement, the security forces engaged the suspects in a fierce gun battle, during which some of the kidnappers fled, abandoning their motorcycles and kidnap victims. Several kidnapped women were successfully rescued during the confrontation.
“We want to thank the gallant officers from the Office of the National Security Adviser and our men at the FOB, Egbe for their courage and professionalism. We also commend the Kwara State Government for their cooperation, which has yielded this outstanding result,” the statement read.
“Peace has returned to Kogi West as the criminal route from Kwara into our communities has now been disrupted. There will be no hiding place for the criminals. One of the security agents who confronted the kidnappers was shot and he is currently receiving medical treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Yagba West Local Government Area of the State. The Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo has offered to cover all the costs of treatment”, he said.
The Commissioner further assured the public that the arrested suspects will face full prosecution after investigations, reaffirming the state’s zero-tolerance stance on criminality.

In a separate remark, the Executive Chairman of Yagba West LGA and ALGON Chairman for Kogi State, Hon. Tosin Olokun, expressed gratitude to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for providing the logistics and support that enabled the success of the operation.

“Governor Ododo promised to restore peace to Yagba West and Yagba as a whole. Today, he has backed those words with decisive action. We can now heave a sigh of relief. The people of Yagba are grateful for his leadership and the results it is delivering,” Olokun said.

The Kogi State Government emphasized its ongoing commitment to working with federal and regional partners to ensure the safety and security of all communities within the state.
News
JUST IN: PSC threatens to kick out drug addicts in the system

The Police Service Commission has vowed to flush out drug addicts in the Nigeria Police Force and has extended an invitation to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to assist the Commission achieve this noble objective.
In a statement on Tuesday, Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations said the PSC chairman made the vow during a visit to the Corporate Headquarters of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency where it formally met with the Agency’s Chairman and Chief Executive and his Management team.
It said the Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu, used the occasion to invite the Agency to join the Commission in all the processes of screening prospective Nigerians who are desirous of joining the Nigeria Police Force.
DIG Argungu, who was received by Brigadier General Buba Marwa, Chairman of the Agency, said there was need for a functional partnership between the Commission and the Agency in the fight to eradicate drug abuse in the Nigeria Police.
He commended the Agency for the assistance in screening intakes of the Police Academy, Wudil Kano which he said has drastically reduced the incidences of drug addiction by students of the Academy.
The PSC Chairman said there was need to upscale this assistance to cover the Recruitment processes in the Nigeria Police Force.
“We want you to help us fish out the drug addicts who obviously should not be allowed to get into and corrupt the system. We want to get it right and get the Police to work “.
DIG Argungu said it was dangerous to give fire arms to drug addicts and vowed that the Commission is poised to flush out such Officers in the Police Force.
The Chairman commended his host for his track record of excellence in the service of the nation.General Marwa, in his response, congratulated the Chairman on his deserved appointment and prayed for his success.
He pledged the Agency’s commitment to assist the Commission sanitize Police Recruitment.” We will try our best to bring the menace to an end, but it requires intelligence, sharing intelligence, training” he noted.
News
RULAAC Commends DSS DG’s Human Rights Reforms, Tasks IGP to Emulate Same in the Nigeria Police Force
In stark contrast, the Nigeria Police Force has persistently failed to act on similar cases of abuse, even in the face of clear court judgments and public outrage.

July 22, 2025 – Lagos, Nigeria:
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has Commended the Director -General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Tosin Ajayi, for demonstrating a rare and commendable commitment to upholding human rights, the rule of law, and institutional accountability.
Okechukwu Nwanguma Executive Director of RULAAC, have the commendation today in a media statement.
The statement reads:
“We note with satisfaction the recent steps taken under his leadership to:-
Release a number of unlawfully detained individuals, including Abdulyakini Salisu, who had been in detention since 2022;-
Pay financial compensation to victims of unlawful arrest, wrongful detention, and mistaken identity;-
Tender official apologies to affected individuals;-
Provide medical support and rehabilitation to victims;-
Take disciplinary action against erring operatives responsible for these violations.
These actions represent a significant departure from the long-standing culture of impunity in Nigeria’s security sector and offer a concrete example of how security agencies can demonstrate — rather than merely tout — respect for human rights and the rule of law.
In stark contrast, the Nigeria Police Force has persistently failed to act on similar cases of abuse, even in the face of clear court judgments and public outrage.
A notable example remains the case of Glory Okolie, a young woman illegally detained by police officers attached to the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in 2021 for over 150 days, during which she was abused and dehumanized.
Despite a Federal High Court judgment awarding her ₦60 million in damages and ordering her release, the Nigeria Police neither issued an apology nor took any disciplinary or remedial action.
RULAAC therefore calls on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to:
1. Publicly acknowledge and apologize for past and ongoing human rights violations under the Nigeria Police Force;
2. Comply fully with all outstanding judicial orders, including payment of damages to victims like Glory Okolie;
3. Set up a dedicated human rights audit committee within the Force to review and redress cases of unlawful detention and abuse;
4. Institute disciplinary action against officers who violate human rights, as a deterrent and commitment to reform;
5. Embrace a leadership approach grounded in transparency, justice, and accountability, similar to the path now being charted by the DSS.
The credibility of Nigeria’s democracy hinges on the conduct of its law enforcement agencies.
We cannot continue to condone a culture where police impunity is the norm and citizens’ rights are routinely violated without consequence.
The recent actions by the DSS DG show that reform is possible — where there is the will.
The IGP and the Nigeria Police Force must show that they, too, are capable of change.
-
News2 days ago
BREAKING: Group of retired police officers protest against poor welfare
-
Sports3 days ago
African junior champs: Nigeria Wins Gold Medals across Sprints
-
Politics3 days ago
Senate dares Natasha to resume on Tuesday
-
Sports3 days ago
Ex-Super Eagles Coach, Sunday Oliseh, Loses Brother
-
Sports3 days ago
NPFL Holds Draw for 2025/26 Season Fixtures at AGM, July 28
-
News1 day ago
BREAKING: Natasha arrives at the National Assembly to resume duty
-
Sports3 days ago
Athletes from 31 countries arrive Nigeria for African Karate Championship
-
Business3 days ago
Zenith named Nigeria’s best bank at Euromoney awards for excellence 2025