LASODA ENGAGES MINISTRY OF HOUSING ON ACCESSIBILITY, INCLUSIVE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

Read Time:2 Minute, 13 Second

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Housing, Engr. Abdul Afeez Toriola, has reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to inclusive housing development and adherence to established accessibility standards across Lagos State.

Engr. Toriola gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) to the Ministry on 2nd February 2026. He said the Ministry has made provisions for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in its housing estates and has taken steps to accommodate them across its projects, adding that it remains open to strengthening inclusive measures where necessary.

The visit was part of LASODA’s ongoing project tagged “Advocacy on Accessibility Compliance by Public Facilities in Lagos State,” which seeks to promote inclusive infrastructure and ensure compliance with accessibility standards in public buildings.

Speaking during the engagement at the Ministry’s Conference Hall, the General Manager of LASODA, Mrs Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, emphasised the need to mainstream inclusion in the planning, design, and execution of housing and public infrastructure. She stressed that accessibility is not optional but a fundamental requirement for dignity, independence, and the full participation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in society.

READ MORE…

ROTARY CLUB OF LAGOS ENHANCE EDUCATION AND DIGITAL SKILLS IN LOCAL SCHOOLS

She highlighted critical accessibility features such as car parks, ramps, signage, elevators, walkways, and other essential elements, noting that these must be deliberately incorporated into both new and existing public structures.

In her words, “From the standpoint of accessibility, inclusion is not adequately practised. We urge policymakers to be specific and detailed when it comes to inclusion discourse and implementation. In existing structures such as recreational parks and other public buildings, provisions for persons with disabilities are often overlooked. Buildings without ramps and elevators exclude persons with disabilities and undermine their fundamental human rights. We must always keep PWDs in mind and awaken the humanity in us.”

In response to the GM, LASODA Engr. Toriola, “We have noted all your concerns and are committed to following established accessibility standards and guidelines to ensure more inclusive housing developments across the state”, he stated.

Mrs. Oyetunde-Lawal further requested that LASODA be invited to stakeholders’ meetings organised by the Ministry, where the Agency could provide technical guidance, speak on accessibility issues, and sensitise stakeholders on disability-inclusive practices.

The meeting ended with both LASODA and the Ministry of Housing reaffirming their commitment to sustained collaboration aimed at strengthening accessibility compliance across housing and public infrastructure in Lagos State.

Present at the meeting were management staff of the Lagos State Ministry of Housing and the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs.