The Edo State Government has made a definitive move to translate its housing policy into tangible action, reaffirming a core commitment to delivering affordable homes for its workforce. This initiative, far from being a mere announcement, represents a strategic pivot aimed at directly addressing the housing deficit and improving citizen welfare through structured development and public-private collaboration.
In a significant step on Monday, December 22, 2025, the state’s Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Yakubu Musa, led an inspection tour of key sites, signaling a proactive approach to project execution. The tour highlighted two critical components of the government’s housing strategy: unlocking new land for development and auditing existing projects for efficiency.
Unlocking New Land: The Ogba Forest Reserve Initiative
The primary focus was the de-reservation of 250 hectares of land at the Ogba Forest Reserve in Ugogogin community, Oredo LGA. Commissioner Musa explicitly stated the project’s target demographic: low-income earners, civil servants, and public servants. This targeted approach is crucial, as it moves beyond generic “affordable housing” rhetoric to specifically serve those often priced out of the conventional market.
The strategic value of the location cannot be overstated. Situated among Evbuodia, Ulemon, Okua, and Umegbe communities, the site is positioned for integration into the broader urban fabric of Benin City. However, the Commissioner acknowledged that land alone is not enough. He announced a vital collaboration with the Ministry of Works to provide essential road access and critical infrastructure—a recognition that successful housing estates require water, electricity, drainage, and connectivity from the outset to avoid becoming isolated slums.
Auditing Existing Projects: The Emotan Gardens Review
In a move demonstrating accountability, the team also visited the Emotan Gardens Phases I and II. This existing project, comprising 68 units on approximately 69 hectares, revealed a concerning issue: significant underutilization of land. Commissioner Musa’s assurance that the government would review this situation, alongside “issues relating to property ownership and effective land management,” suggests a crackdown on inefficiency and potentially, land banking or speculation within government-sponsored schemes. This audit phase is essential to ensure past investments yield maximum public benefit.
Beyond Bricks and Mortar: A Holistic Policy Framework
Commissioner Musa’s statements framed housing development as a key component of improving citizen welfare, elevating it from a construction project to a social policy. The commitment to work with “relevant stakeholders”—evidenced by the presence of officials from the Federal Ministry of Lands, the State Surveyor-General, and the Edo State Development and Property Corporation (ESDPC)—points to a multi-layered approach. This likely involves:
- Partnerships with Developers: Leveraging private sector expertise and capital for construction.
- Financing Models: Exploring rent-to-own schemes, cooperative housing, or targeted mortgages with state support.
- Land Title Reform: Ensuring clear, bankable titles to attract investment and protect homeowners.
The high-level delegation present, including Federal Controller Valerie Daubry, underscores the project’s importance and suggests potential for aligning state and federal housing agendas for greater impact.
Conclusion: A Promise Moving to Implementation
Edo State’s reaffirmation is now backed by visible action on specific sites. The dual strategy of developing new, well-located land while optimizing existing projects presents a comprehensive model. The true test will be in the execution—the speed of infrastructure rollout, the transparency of allocation to target beneficiaries, and the final affordability of the units. If successful, this initiative could provide a replicable blueprint for bridging the housing gap for public sector workers and low-income families in Nigeria.
Edited by Sandra Umeh | Source: NAN News
