BY JULIET EKWENUGO
Abuja
Jeje-Ola Properties has opened a new state-of-the-art office in the highbrow Guzape district of Abuja, reinforcing its push to expand affordable housing options in the nation’s capital.
The unveiling drew investors, business partners, religious leaders, family members and other dignitaries, signalling growing confidence in the fast-rising real estate brand.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director, Alhaji Taslim Jejeola, said the company is committed to helping more Nigerians own homes, stressing that access to decent shelter remains a fundamental need.
He noted that the major setback for developers is the unstable cost of building materials, which he said continues to push affordable housing farther from the reach of ordinary citizens.
“The major thing is the irregularity in the prices of materials. You may plan for a house of N10 million, and before the year ends, the price of cement jumps again,” he said. “Cement was N2,000 before; now it is about N10,000. It has affected us a whole lot as developers. What we need is economic stability. That will give us more strength to work.”
Nigeria’s housing deficit is estimated at 28 million units, with expectations that public-private partnerships could reduce the gap by at least 10 million units in the next decade.
A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Lateef Mohammed, who represents Irepo/Orelope/Olorunsogo Federal Constituency of Oyo State, urged the Federal Government to sustain efforts aimed at addressing the deficit in Abuja and across the country.
He called for stronger implementation of the housing components of the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that government must create the right environment for credible developers to thrive.
“The government cannot do it alone,” he said. “If we wait for the government, it will be very difficult. This is a partnership. If we have many credible developers like Jeje-Ola, we will catch up very soon.”
He added that government’s key responsibility is to provide land and infrastructure, while developers deliver the housing units.
Stakeholders at the event agreed that sustained collaboration between the public and private sectors remains crucial to expanding affordable housing access for Nigerians.
