The United Nations Habitat Technical Support to Ekiti State, Akintobi Olusanmi, has announced a new collaboration between UN-Habitat and the Ekiti State Government aimed at enhancing urban development, addressing housing shortages, and linking housing with tourism.
Olusanmi, who also serves as Special Adviser to the Ekiti State Governor on Land Matters, made the announcement during an Institutional Capacity Support Workshop on Public-Private Participation in Urban Development held in Ado-Ekiti on Monday. The workshop was organized in partnership with UN-Habitat and focused on harnessing private sector expertise in the state’s urbanization drive.
Speaking on the initiative, Olusanmi outlined plans to develop a cutting-edge urban observatory to monitor development progress, launch a landmass development project to alleviate housing deficits, and introduce an environmentally friendly waste management system. He emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in driving infrastructure development and improving housing conditions in the state.
“The collaboration between the Ekiti State Government and UN-Habitat is part of a broader effort to modernize urban planning and address critical housing shortages, while also leveraging the tourism potential of the state,” Olusanmi said.
He reaffirmed the Ekiti government’s commitment to sustainable development under Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration, which has already launched initiatives involving private organizations to drive progress in these areas.
UN-Habitat’s Human Settlements Officer, Mrs. Rosemary Odunbaku, lauded the Oyebanji administration for its proactive efforts in urban development. She warned of the growing housing crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa, noting, “The population in the region is projected to double by 2030, and if governments do not act now, the situation could become critical.”
Dr. Gboyega Oloniyo, Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing and Mortgage Development, expressed optimism about the partnership, noting that 150 hectares of land had already been set aside for development. He added that the construction of 1,000 homes for citizens was currently underway. Oloniyo highlighted the need for a detailed geographical map to guide sustainable development in the state.
“Proper geography is crucial for sustainable development. We are working on a map for Ekiti State to guide decision-making on locations for schools, factories, and housing,” he explained.
Prof. James Olaleye, Special Adviser to the Governor on Land, eGIS, and Survey, echoed the importance of land planning. “We must map the land to provide adequate space for both humans and animals. The government is working on better planning to build on past achievements,” he said.
The UN-Habitat collaboration with Ekiti State represents a major step forward in addressing the state’s urbanization challenges while preparing for future growth.
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