The Lagos State Government has issued a warning to citizens to be wary of fake estate agents and scammers who sell non-existent housing units in government-owned estates for sale or rent, particularly on social media platforms.
The Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, issued the warning in response to a recent online advertisement purporting to sell homes at the recently constructed Egan-Igando Mixed Housing Estate.
Akinderu-Fatai emphasised that the estate has been fully allotted and that any claims of availability for sale or rent are completely incorrect.
“The advertised estate has been fully allocated, and its purported availability for sale or rent as stated in the online video is therefore a fraudulent act by the agent,” the commissioner stated.
He stressed that the Lagos State Government does not engage third-party agents to sell, lease, or rent housing units in its estates.
“For outright sale of housing units, only the Estate Department of the Lagos State Ministry of Housing is authorised,” he said. “Allocations for the mortgage and rent-to-own schemes are strictly handled by the Lagos State Mortgage Board.”
The commissioner called on prospective buyers to conduct due diligence by contacting the Ministry of Housing directly before making any financial commitment.
“Any individual or organisation caught engaging in the criminal act of deception shall be brought to book,” Akinderu-Fatai warned, adding that the government will not be liable for any losses incurred by residents who fall victim to fraudsters.
To prevent further exploitation, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Abdulhafis Toriola, has directed all allottees of the Egan-Igando Mixed Housing Estate to take physical possession of their assigned flats immediately.
He stated that failure to do so may result in the revocation of unoccupied units, as abandoned properties allow impostors to mislead the public into believing the flats are available.
The state government recommended residents exercise caution and always verify the legitimacy of any real estate offer involving government housing programmes through proper means.
