Nigeria’s housing deficit is estimated in the tens of millions, and Lagos—Africa’s fastest-growing megacity—is at the very center of this crisis. Demand for affordable housing continues to outpace supply, while regulatory hurdles, financing challenges, and high development costs make property ownership a distant dream for many citizens.
On September 16, 2025, over 1,000 developers, investors, policymakers, and financial institutions gathered at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos for the Real Estate Stakeholders’ Forum 2025. This high-profile event marked a critical turning point for Nigeria’s property market, aiming to unlock reforms that could reshape housing delivery and investment opportunities across Lagos and beyond.
In this article, we break down the key themes, outcomes, and opportunities from the forum—and what they mean for stakeholders in Nigeria’s booming real estate sector.
What is the Real Estate Stakeholders’ Forum?
The Real Estate Stakeholders’ Forum is a collaborative platform where leaders across the housing value chain come together to deliberate on pressing industry challenges.
The 2025 edition brought together:
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Developers & Builders looking for enabling environments to deliver projects faster.
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Investors & Financial Institutions seeking clearer policies and reduced risks.
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Government & Policymakers tasked with reforming land, housing, and tax policies.
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REDAN (Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria) as the unifying body driving reforms.
By creating a bridge between public and private sectors, the forum serves as a catalyst for reforms that directly impact urban planning, land administration, and real estate financing in Lagos.
Key Themes and Issues Discussed
The forum centered on five pressing issues that continue to shape Nigeria’s real estate landscape:
1. Affordable Housing Delivery
Housing affordability remains one of Lagos’s greatest challenges. Developers highlighted the need for policies that cut costs and make homes accessible to middle- and low-income earners.
2. Land Use & Titling Reforms
Participants stressed that Nigeria’s land titling process is cumbersome, expensive, and prone to delays. Without reform, housing supply will remain slow and unattractive to investors.
3. Multiple Taxation & Regulatory Barriers
Developers face layered taxation at federal, state, and local levels, creating cost burdens that discourage investment. The forum demanded urgent streamlining.
4. Modular Housing Innovations
The forum showcased modular and prefabricated housing technologies as fast, cost-effective solutions for addressing the housing deficit in Lagos.
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5. Financing Gaps
Banks and private equity players emphasized the difficulty of securing long-term, affordable financing for real estate projects. Bridging this gap is crucial for scaling development.
Major Outcomes of the Forum
The Real Estate Stakeholders’ Forum 2025 produced tangible outcomes and clear commitments:
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REDAN Appointed as Lead Advocate: Stakeholders unanimously agreed that the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria will issue a formal communiqué to government authorities.
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Three Core Demands in the Communiqué:
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Streamlined Land Titling – A faster, more transparent land documentation process.
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Reduced Multiple Taxation – Rationalization of taxes to encourage property development.
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Investment Incentives – Policies that attract both local and foreign capital into real estate.
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Policy Advisory Document: A detailed technical paper will be submitted to Lagos State’s Urban and Regional Planning Department, providing concrete policy recommendations.
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Public–Private Collaboration: The forum emphasized that true reform will only happen when government, developers, and financiers work in synergy.
Why This Matters for Real Estate Investors & Developers
For investors and developers, the forum’s resolutions could signal a new era of opportunity in Lagos real estate:
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Lower Barriers to Entry: Streamlined land titling would reduce risks and delays.
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Improved ROI: Fewer taxes and better incentives increase profitability.
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Scalable Housing Projects: Modular housing creates opportunities for bulk affordable housing.
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Safer Investments: Policy clarity builds confidence among institutional and foreign investors.
For developers on the ground, these reforms may finally unlock stalled projects and accelerate new housing schemes.
Reactions and Significance
The mood at the forum was optimistic. Industry leaders praised the government’s willingness to engage and welcomed REDAN’s central role as the industry’s unified voice.
However, some stakeholders raised concerns:
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Execution Risks: Will government actually implement the recommendations?
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Policy Continuity: Nigeria’s history of policy reversals could stall progress.
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Funding Limitations: Without dedicated financing models, even strong reforms may not translate into affordable homes.
Despite these challenges, the forum reinforced a collective will to push reforms forward.
What’s Next After the Forum?
The next steps are already in motion:
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REDAN’s Communiqué Submission: Expected in the coming weeks.
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Policy Advisory Engagement: To be discussed with Lagos State Government’s Urban Planning authorities.
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Monitoring Mechanism: Stakeholders pledged to track implementation and keep pressure on policymakers.
If successful, Lagos’s model could inspire other states like Ogun, Abuja, and Rivers to adopt similar real estate reform frameworks.
Conclusion
The Real Estate Stakeholders’ Forum 2025 was not just another industry talk shop—it was a rallying point for real action. With over 1,000 participants agreeing on concrete reforms around land titling, taxation, and financing, the forum charted a new course for housing delivery in Lagos.
While challenges remain, the momentum is undeniable. If government and private sector players sustain this partnership, Nigeria’s housing deficit could finally see meaningful reduction.
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