Lagos To Bridge Urban Housing Gap With Ilubirin Foreshore Housing Scheme

The Lagos state government said, it is bridging the urban Housing Gap with the reactivation of Ilubirin Foreshore Housing Scheme.

The scheme is a waterfront project set against the backdrop of the city’s unique skyline.

The development is coming on the backdrop to strategically push and close the urban housing gap, offering modern, affordable living spaces while reshaping the narrative of inclusive growth.
Earlier, the Lagos State commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, in collaboration with stakeholders visited the Ilubirin housing project to ascertain the level of progress.

The Ilubirin Foreshore Housing Scheme, a flagship public-private joint venture, is being reimagined as a dynamic residential and cultural hub that blends affordable luxury with sustainability.

Master-planned to offer a mix of recreational amenities and essential infrastructure, the waterfront development is strategically sited at the northwest edge of Lagos Island, providing seamless connectivity to Yaba and Surulere on the Mainland, as well as to Ikoyi and Victoria Island on the Island axis.

Targeted at middle-income buyers, the project promises to redefine urban living while contributing meaningfully to Lagos’ housing stock.

The Ilubirin site was officially transferred in 2018 to Ilubirin Foreshore Projects Limited (IFPL), under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the Lagos State government. At the time of handover, the site presented several challenges: 20 seven-storey carcass buildings, two open canals, scattered driven piles, and no formal access routes.

Furthermore, essential planning documentation, such as a master plan, topographical and bathymetric surveys, structural as-built drawings, geotechnical reports, and flood mitigation strategies, was either lacking or incomplete, complicating early redevelopment efforts.

Speaking at a recent inspection visit, the Lagos State commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu Fatai reaffirmed the government’s dedication to revitalising the scheme in alignment with the THEMES+ agenda, particularly, its focus on building a 21st-century economy and expanding the State’s housing stock.

The commissioner stated that efforts to increase housing stock became the spirit of completion of all ongoing housing projects in the State.

Reacting to public speculation that the project had been abandoned, the commissioner clarified that construction activities are actively ongoing and urged the development partner to meet the set delivery timelines.

Speaking during the visit, managing director of First Investment Development Company/Ilubirin Foreshore Projects Limited. Mr. Adebisi Adebutu reiterated that the project had not been set aside, stressing that visible work is progressing on-site.

“There was a challenge on flood control, but now there is a full-scale transformation through a canal redirection system, coupled with the site elevation raised to 2.5 meters above sea level, addressing the long-standing sanitation and flooding challenges across Lagos Island and its environs,” he explained.

He also gave assurances that Phase One of the project will be delivered no later than the fourth quarter of 2026. The broader master plan includes the development of over 2,000 apartment units and an integrated suite of social infrastructure, including green public spaces, healthcare and educational facilities, and a waterfront event centre with a 1,000-person capacity, already under construction.