Come up with recommendations to redesign Lagos, Sanwo-Olu charges realtors

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday enjoined stakeholders in the real estate sector to come up with recommendations that can help his administration redesign the state to the advantage of residents of and equally attract investors.

Governor Sanwo-Olu gave the charge while speaking at the 5th Real Estate Summit, themed: “Reimagining Lagos Landscape and Ensuring Sustainable Real Estate Development Practices,” organized by Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA), held at Eko Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu, while expressing his administration’s commitment to consistently draw inspiration from global trends and best practices to inform its policies and programs, noted that the discussions at the summit would ignite ideas and inspire solutions that aligned with the collective vision of his administration for a prosperous Lagos.

This was just as he assured that his government remained steadfast in its efforts to build a thriving real estate sector by prioritizing human capital development to ensure that skilled professionals capable of driving innovation were available to carry on the task.

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Besides, the governor equally expressed his administration’s commitment to establishing sustainable regulations that protect practitioners and consumers alike, “while fostering an integrated ecosystem that links housing development with transportation, technology, agriculture, health, and youth development.”

“We consistently draw inspiration from global trends and best practices to inform our policies and programs. Today’s distinguished speakers, moderators, and panellists bring invaluable insights, and we are confident that their contributions will enrich our collective vision for the real estate sector,” Governor Sanwo-Olu said.

Speaking further, Sanwo-Olu affirmed that the pace of change was accelerating, making partnerships with private sector players essential, stressing that the forum was an opportunity to co-create pathways for upskilling and reskilling the workforce while ensuring the sector’s accessibility and sustainability.

The State Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, earlier in his speech, noted that the event was a unique annual platform for people to dissect, re-evaluate, disagree and agree on mutual policy and regulatory matters, describing the theme for this year’s conference as a test for all operators and regulators to reshape and scale up roles and responsibilities where necessary.

The commissioner urged the stakeholders and residents, as they reimagined Lagos to be committed to embracing and strengthening the regulatory frameworks that would guide everyone towards a resilient, inclusive, and vibrant city, noting that every architect, developer, financier, policymaker, and citizen had a role to play in the journey.

“Together, we can create a Lagos where progress meets purpose and development respects the delicate balance of nature and community,” Akinderu-Fatai said.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser (SA) to the State Governor on Housing, Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, said that the conference was to assemble experts and stakeholders dedicated to shaping the future of Lagos urban landscape, as well as validating the resilience, opportunity and innovation of Africa’s most populous city.

Odunuga-Bakare described the theme of this year’s conference as both timely and vital, saying that it underscored the pressing need to align real estate development with sustainability principles, while ensuring safety, innovation, and resilience in the built environment.

According to her, the annual gathering has consistently served as a cornerstone for innovative ideas, robust discussions, and strategic collaborations that shape the real estate sector in Lagos State and beyond.

She commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for his exemplary leadership and unwavering support for the growth of the real estate sector in the country, saying that his “commitment to the principles of sustainability and innovation has made Lagos a shining beacon of progress in Nigeria and across Africa.”

Speaking further, Odunuga-Bakare said that real estate sector remained a significant pillar of Lagos State’s socio-economic development, providing employment opportunities, enhancing urban infrastructure, and driving economic growth, affirming that under the visionary guidance of Governor Sanwo-Olu, the state had implemented critical measures to address challenges facing the real estate sector.

On regulatory frameworks, she said the state had strengthened such through enhanced building codes, disaster-resilient urban planning, and initiatives to promote the use of sustainable building materials and technologies, adding: “These efforts are testament to our dedication to creating a future where the safety and well-being of residents are prioritized.”

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE