In a bold move to ease housing burdens, the Lagos State Government is set to introduce a monthly and quarterly rent payment scheme targeted at helping low- and middle-income earners better manage their housing costs.
The state’s Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, announced the initiative on Tuesday during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing commemorating Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second year in office.
Akinderu-Fatai revealed that the new payment structure is an expansion of the state’s ongoing efforts to make accommodation more accessible and affordable. He cited the previous success of the rent-to-own housing scheme, which required only a 5% down payment, with tenants spreading the remaining cost over 10 years.
“Many residents, especially low-income earners, struggle to pay rent annually,” Akinderu-Fatai noted. “We believe that monthly or quarterly options will provide more breathing room and reduce the financial pressure of sourcing large lump sums.”
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To make the policy workable, the government is actively engaging landlords, real estate developers, and other industry players. These consultations aim to identify implementation challenges and develop practical solutions.
“Of course, issues like landlord cooperation, payment tracking, and enforcement mechanisms need to be addressed, and discussions on these are ongoing,” he said.
Akinderu-Fatai emphasized that the scheme is not a theoretical policy but one nearing execution. A pilot program is expected to launch in selected areas soon.
“This is real progress, not just ink on paper,” he said. “We are determined to push this through because we understand how deeply this affects working families across Lagos.”
The monthly rent plan is the latest in a string of housing reforms by the Sanwo-Olu administration, reflecting a growing shift towards more tenant-friendly housing policies in Nigeria’s most populous state.
Lagos Times
