Hon.Oyebola Okusanya has been officially inducted as the Managing Director of the SouthWest Housing and Construction Exhibition and Trade (SWHCET), a regional platform aimed at boosting the housing and construction sector in South West Nigeria.
The induction ceremony took place recently at Maroccaine Place, Victoria Island, Lagos, and also featured the induction of the planning committee members ahead of the SWHET 2025 event. The exhibition is scheduled to hold on October 7–8, 2025, at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State. The theme for this year is “Renewed Hope Housing: Driving Regional Development.”
The event was attended by top stakeholders in the housing and construction sectors, including Oluwayemisi Dawodu, Special Adviser on Trade to the Ogun State Governor; Hon. Lakan Akinsete, Senior Special Assistant on Housing to the Oyo State Governor; and Hon. Segun Williams, Senior Special Assistant on Urban Development to the Lagos State Governor among others.
In his acceptance speech, Okusanya outlined his vision for transforming the housing sector in the region. His plans include strong collaboration between the public and private sectors, youth empowerment through free artisan training, and the promotion of affordable housing through innovative building technologies.
“To kick-start this initiative, we will commence free artisan training for youths across the region,” he announced.
Okusanya, a former Chairman of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (Ogun State chapter), also disclosed plans to introduce new alternative building solutions at the upcoming exhibition in Abeokuta. These alternatives, he said, could cut construction costs by as much as 60 percent.
“There’s this material that we have formed, it’s mixed with clay. And you know, you can find clay almost everywhere. It will be so strong, even stronger than the normal block that we use. And it’s far cheaper,” he said. “Instead of spending about ₦25 million to build a bungalow with cement and blocks, you can build the same structure for about ₦7.5 million.”
He also stressed the importance of making housing more accessible to residents in states like Ogun and Oyo while easing the housing pressure in Lagos.
“What we do majorly is to mobilize the private sector and in partnership with the government sector to achieve our desired aim. Our goal is to work with all relevant stakeholders to bring affordable housing to reality across the region,” he added.
Dr. Olayemi Rotimi-Shodimu, Convener of SWHET 2025, expressed confidence in the new leadership, noting that Okusanya’s track record and vision would take the initiative to new heights.
He explained that SWHET was born out of a desire to solve the growing housing problems in Nigeria. “About 10 years ago, I saw the way the housing deficit in Nigeria was rising. I saw the way poor men in Nigeria, the middle class and the low class are struggling to own homes. I saw the way people are struggling to access mortgages in this country.
“I saw the way building materials are on the increase and there was no proper regulation, I also saw the way the people from neighboring countries are taking over the artisan jobs from our Youths. I saw so many problems and I felt that Instead of just complaining, I decided to act. As a businessman, I wanted to support the government in solving real issues,” he said.
Rotimi-Shodimu also recalled organizing a national housing summit earlier this year that brought major stakeholders together in Abuja to support the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing Project.
Board Director Hon. Toye Arulogun also spoke at the event, urging the newly inducted members to treat their roles as both service and opportunity.
“There is a lot of potential in this sector, both in service and in returns,” he said, praising the energy and passion of the new leadership team and assuring them of his continued support.