The Commissioner for Housing, Lagos State, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, has called for new collaborations and innovative technology that would make housing development fast, safe, and sustainable for all.

Akinderu-Fatai said this recently at the 2023 Real Estate Discussions and Awards organized by Thinkmint Nigeria in Lagos, with support from Homework Group, Federal Housing Authority Mortgage Bank, LSDPC, Mixta Africa, Facibus Housing, MTN Nigeria, Afriland Properties, Heych & Elan Orris Real Estate.

Themed: “New Reality, New Collaborations”, the award ceremony had in attendance top players in the industry, representatives of government officials, and real estate investors from within and outside Nigeria, including Rwanda, South Africa, and Kenya.

According to Akinderu-Fatai, the task of bridging the housing gaps in the state requires public-private collaboration efforts and new technology that can guarantee speedy delivery of housing units without any compromise on quality and safety.

Akinderu-Fatai further noted that the collaborative efforts should address the challenges posed by climate change and technology and the likely impact of these factors on designing homes for the future.

He said: “The world is evolving in a dynamic manner with factors such as population explosion and migration, innovations in technology, and climate change playing major roles in determining trends and developments.”

He further mentioned that with the post-COVID realities, new challenges come up forcing everyone to redefine their aspirations in line with new realities. “Whether we like it or not, these factors will definitely continue to reshape our world for some time.”

He pointed out that in spite of the disruptions, whatever happens, prospects or opportunities in real estate will continue to be bright because real estate or land is the bedrock of all development. It is also the major raw material of social infrastructure.

He also noted that vertical development of homes in a manner that the scarce land available in the state can be optimised for maximum yield, is also needed in order to adequately bridge the housing gap in the State.

Also speaking, the governor of Ebonyi State, Mr. Francis Nwifuru who was represented by Mrs. Ogechi Anaso, Permanent Secretary of Ebonyi State, Lagos Liaison office said: “Having been a builder before a Governor he knows the importance of real estate, seeing that Ebonyi state is fast developing.

“She added that the purpose of this event cannot be overemphasized and that the governor is honored to be recognised at such an event.

In her opening address, the Managing Partner of Thinkmint Nigeria, Imelda Usoro-Olaoye, said that this edition focused on fostering new partnerships and collaborations in light of the changing times. It aims to explore innovative ways to adapt and thrive in the current reality.

“The award is set to celebrate excellence amongst Nigerian Real Estate stakeholders and leaders by giving them the opportunity to gain valuable exposure and well-deserved recognition for their national and global achievements in the real estate sector,” she said.

The Managing Director of Lagos State Development and Property Corporation, Ayodeji Joseph said in his opening speech “At LSDPC, we are always ready to collaborate with the private sector to tackle the emerging real estate challenges.

“As a government-owned parastatal, we are not oblivious to our primary mandate which is to provide housing and to fulfill this mandate, we realize that the government cannot do this alone.”

Awardees

The awardees included a Special Recognition commendation to the Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru; Commissioner for Housing, Lagos State, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai; Lifetime Achievement Award for Contribution to The Nigerian Real Estate Industry to Mr Hakeem Ogunniran, Chairman LBIC, Founder/CEO Eximia Realty; Real Estate Man of the Year Odunayo Ojo, CEO, UPDC; Real Estate Woman of the Year Tosin Ajose, Founder/Lead Advisor DealHQ PARTNERS; Young Real Estate Person of the Year, Chukwuka Harrison Okoye, CEO FACIBUS HOUSING, among others.

Below are more pictures from the event: