Minister of Housing and Urban Development, and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of UPDC Plc, Muttaqha Darma and Odunayo Ojo, respectively, headline the dignitaries who will be attending the Property and Environment Writers’ Association of Nigeria (PEWAN)’ s 2026 annual forum.
The minister will attend as a Special Guest of Honour, while Ojo has been invited to chair the occasion. Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of HBM Nigeria, will also be in attendance. He will be speaking on ‘Innovative Building Materials: Place of the Private Sector.’
Other expected participants include built environment professionals, lecturers in environmental sciences, government officials, real estate operators, non-governmental organisations, recyclers, students and other stakeholders in the housing and construction industries.
The theme of this year’s forum, already slated for Wednesday, November 4, at NECA House Conference Hall, Central Business District, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, is ‘Re-imagining Housing: Sustainability, Facility Management and Innovative Building Materials.’
PEWAN’s expectation is that the lecture will examine emerging approaches to addressing Nigeria’s housing challenges, particularly the need for sustainable construction practices, effective management of housing assets, and adoption of innovative building materials.
A major highlight of the event will be Alade-Akinyemi’s presentation, which is expected to examine how businesses and private investors can promote modern building solutions, improve construction standards, and contribute to sustainable housing delivery.
Florence Gbaye, the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), will be delivering a goodwill message and receiving a Special Recognition and Award
PEWAN, in a statement at the weekend, explained that Gbaye’s nomination for recognition stems from her contributions and work recorded at the agency since she assumed leadership. Her participation is expected to provide insights into LASBCA’s efforts to strengthen building control and promote safer construction practices in Lagos.
HBM Nigeria Plc and its chief executive, Alade-Akinyemi, have equally been nominated for recognition for their contributions to innovation in the building materials sub-sector.
The awards will further recognise public and private sector operators, as well as individuals whose contributions have made notable impacts in their respective fields, with emphasis on quality, innovation and sustainable development.
Okwy Chikezie, PEWAN’s chairman, explained that the annual lecture was designed to provide a platform for informed discussions on developments, challenges and opportunities in the built environment, while encouraging stronger collaboration between government and private-sector players.
PEWAN, an umbrella body for journalists reporting on property and environment across print, electronic and online media platforms, hopes that the participation of industry leaders and professionals would generate ideas and proffer solutions for improving housing delivery in Nigeria.