Housing sector as a catalyst for economic growth in Ogun State
Housing sector as a catalyst for economic growth in Ogun State
From N3.5 trillion in 2019, Ogun State’s economy has experienced remarkable expansion, now estimated at N16 trillion within just six years under the leadership of His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun. This exponential rise in the state’s economic fortunes can be traced to a comprehensive development blueprint driven by massive investments in human capital and a robust infrastructural renewal.
The government’s strategic focus on infrastructure across both urban centres and rural communities is rapidly transforming the state’s landscape. Under Abiodun’s administration, Ogun State continues to leverage its ‘Gateway’ advantage to open new pathways of growth across various sectors. The state has clearly emerged as Nigeria’s foremost investment destination, reflected in the steady expansion of its industrial and manufacturing base. Notably, Ogun has attracted substantial foreign investments in recent years, including the $400 million partnership with Arise Integrated Industrial Platform for the development of the Olokola Free Trade Zone and the Remo Agro Processing Zone.
A key pillar of this ongoing economic transformation is the state’s dynamic housing sector, steered by the Honourable Commissioner, Jagunmolu Jamiu Omoniyi. The housing sector plays a vital role in creating an enabling environment for sustainable economic growth, making Ogun even more appealing to investors.
Through strategic housing initiatives, the Ministry of Housing is reinforcing the state’s industrial and commercial expansion by reshaping both urban and rural landscapes with modern, people-oriented developments.
The appointment of the housing commissioner, who is a seasoned mortgage banker, an astute administrator and a versatile real estate developer, has turned out to be a huge blessing to the incumbent administration in Ogun. The ennobling pedigree of Omoniyi has been reflected in the style of leadership and the new direction being witnessed in the housing sector in Ogun State.
Having worked with Partnership Savings & Loans, Wema Homes and Abbey Mortgage Bank, the commissioner rose to become the regional executive manager before starting his own firm, C2Q Property & Investment Co Ltd. His firm was at the forefront of the initiative that delivered over 10,000 affordable houses to civil servants in the FCT in partnership with the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board.
It is, therefore, not surprising that housing schemes such as the Prince Court Estates at Kemta Idi Aba, as well as others in Kobape, Sagamu, Ijebu Ode, Ilaro and Iperu, are a sight with their architectural layouts and aesthetic components. Apart from the mainstream housing ministry, the commissioner has supervised the activities of other housing agencies under his purview to deliver on their mandates.
Other notable housing estates that are redefining the narratives of rural-urban settings in Ogun State through enhanced access to ownership and affordability include Kings Court Estate at Oke Mosan and Warewa; Renewed Hope Housing Scheme (Abeokuta 1 & 2), PMB Estate, Kobape Road, Abeokuta, where construction of detached and semidetached duplexes is ongoing; Ibara GRA Regeneration Scheme and Ijebu Ode GRA Regeneration Scheme.
In all, Ogun State’s housing agencies under the watch of Omoniyi have delivered no fewer than 4,230 housing units (low, medium and high-income classes) across the state.
In line with the I.S.E.Y.A. mantra of the Prince Dapo Abiodun–led administration, the Ogun State Ministry of Housing has introduced several incentives to make affordable housing accessible to both civil servants and the general public. Under the leadership of Commissioner Jagunmolu Jamiu Omoniyi, the ministry has demonstrated unwavering commitment to improving access to decent housing by eliminating administrative bottlenecks and simplifying processes for beneficiaries.
Through this initiative, the Abiodun administration subsidises land costs and facilitates access to mortgage loans via the Gateway Mortgage Bank—offered at zero interest. To ensure quality and cost efficiency, the ministry closely monitors the procurement of building materials, reducing waste and maintaining high construction standards. In addition, qualified engineers and architects are engaged to guarantee excellence in every project.
Commissioner Omoniyi’s effective leadership of the housing sector reflects not only his professional experience but also his personal background. Fondly known as “Omo Baba Birikila” of Joga-Orile—the son of a bricklayer—his early exposure to bricklaying under the tutelage of his late father, Alhaji Mudashiru Omoniyi, instilled in him a deep passion for affordable housing and a commitment to empowering the masses through homeownership.
On the socioeconomic front, the housing sector in Ogun State, under Omoniyi’s stewardship, has significantly boosted the economy through large-scale construction projects and innovative homeownership schemes. These initiatives have created thousands of jobs for artisans, suppliers, and both skilled and unskilled labourers, thereby improving livelihoods and generating steady income for many families.
The surge in housing development has also driven up demand for building materials such as cement, wood, roofing sheets, and blocks—stimulating further economic activity and job creation.
In conclusion, the remarkable progress recorded in Ogun State’s housing sector under the Abiodun administration has become a major catalyst for investment. The favourable housing environment has encouraged the rise of numerous private estate developments across the state, reinforcing Ogun’s status as a thriving hub for business and real estate growth.
