By Maduka Nweke
Driven by purpose and vision, the Lagos state government has reactivated the Ilubirin Foreshore Housing Scheme, a gigantic waterfront project set against the backdrop of the city’s unique skyline.
The revived development, the state government noted, signals a strategic push to close the urban housing gap, offering modern, affordable living spaces while reshaping the narrative of inclusive growth and livable cities in Africa’s largest urban centre.
To walk the talk, the Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, in collaboration with stakeholders visited the Ilubirin housing project this week to ascertain the level progress.
The Commissioner, Ministry’s technical team, Executive Director, IBILE Holdings, Mumeenat Babs-Animashaun and Managing Director, Access Management, IBILE Holdings, Mr. Akintunde Odeyemi inspected the Ilubirin Foreshore Housing Project and was satisfied with the level of progress.
The Ilubirin Foreshore Housing Scheme, a flagship public-private joint venture, is being reimagined as a dynamic residential and cultural hub that blends affordable luxury with sustainability. Master-planned to offer a mix of recreational amenities and essential infrastructure, the waterfront development is strategically sited at the northwest edge of Lagos Island, providing seamless connectivity to Yaba and Surulere on the Mainland, as well as to Ikoyi and Victoria Island on the Island axis. Targeted at middle-income buyers, the project promises to redefine urban living while contributing meaningfully to Lagos’ housing stock.
The Ilubirin site was officially transferred in 2018 to Ilubirin Foreshore Projects Limited (IFPL), under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the Lagos State Government. At the time of handover, the site presented several challenges: 20 seven-storey carcass buildings, two open canals, scattered driven piles, and no formal access routes. Furthermore, essential planning documentation, such as a master plan, topographical and bathymetric surveys, structural as-built drawings, geotechnical reports, and flood mitigation strategies, was either lacking or incomplete, complicating early redevelopment efforts.
Despite these hurdles, the project has witnessed renewed momentum. During a recent inspection visit, the Lagos State Commissioner for Housing reaffirmed the government’s dedication to revitalising the scheme in alignment with the THEMES+ agenda, particularly its focus on building a 21st-century economy and expanding the State’s housing stock.
“Efforts to increase housing stock became the spirit of completion of all ongoing housing projects in the State,” the Commissioner stated, while inspecting the site in the company of representatives from IBILE Holdings Limited and Mr. Adebisi Adebutu, CEO/Managing Director of First Investment Development Company/Ilubirin Foreshore Projects Limited.
Reacting to public speculation that the project had been abandoned, the Commissioner clarified that construction activities are actively ongoing and urged the development partner to meet the set delivery timelines.
“Work is presently ongoing at the construction site of Ilubirin Foreshore Housing Scheme,” he said, calling on First Investment Development Company to ensure the completion of the first phase, comprising over 180 apartments, on or before December 2026.
Speaking during the visit, Mr. Adebisi Adebutu reiterated that the project had not been set aside, stressing that visible work is progressing on-site.
“There was a challenge on flood control, but now there is a full-scale transformation through a canal redirection system, coupled with the site elevation raised to 2.5 meters above sea level, addressing the long-standing sanitation and flooding challenges across Lagos Island and its environs,” he explained.
He also gave assurances that Phase One of the project will be delivered no later than the fourth quarter of 2026. The broader master plan includes the development of over 2,000 apartment units and an integrated suite of social infrastructure, including green public spaces, healthcare and educational facilities, and a waterfront event centre with a 1,000-person capacity, already under construction.
The inspection tour also included a walkthrough of Block AB1, which is now ready to welcome its first residents. In addition, the team visited the newly completed southern access road and the high-capacity canal redirection infrastructure, both of which are nearing full operational readiness, marking tangible progress on a project set to reshape the future of urban living in Lagos.
“The visit of the Lagos official signals high-level support for the project that has weathered complex challenges and is now visibly progressing. Major milestones achieved by the visit include the near completion of the first residential block, the delivery of a high-capacity canal redirection system in partnership with the Lagos State Government, and the construction of a landmark waterfront event centre. This visit marks a moment to reaffirm Ilubirin’s potential as a sustainable, inclusive, and economically significant new district for Lagos,” said Adebutu.
According to Mr. Adebutu, “The Ilubirin master plan is meant to deliver over 2,000 homes, green public space, healthcare and education infrastructure, and a 1,000-capacity waterfront event centre currently under construction. With a diverse mix of uses, it aims to serve middle-income and first-time buyers while inviting broader public engagement through its cultural and civic amenities. Thousands of jobs have already been created during construction, with further employment opportunities expected as commercial, cultural, and retail spaces come online. Housing typologies are tailored to support upward mobility and provide a long-term residential anchor for Lagos Island,” he said.
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