Residents of Lagos are facing unprecedented increases in housing costs, with many tenants paying millions annually for accommodation that lacks basic amenities. Across the metropolis, single rooms and self-contained apartments now command between ₦1.5 million and ₦2.5 million per year, often without access to potable water, proper sanitation, reliable electricity, or waste management.
The rising rents have intensified financial pressure on low- and middle-income earners already burdened by inflation, transport costs, and stagnant wages. In several neighbourhoods, tenants report sudden rent hikes, arbitrary charges, and deteriorating housing conditions. Leaking roofs, poor drainage, overcrowded compounds, and shared toilets are common complaints.
For many, securing shelter has become a daily struggle. Mrs. Funke Olamide, a trader in Ikorodu, said she pays ₦900,000 annually for a single room with no running water and flooding during the rainy season. “If you complain, they will tell you to pack out. Sometimes I ask myself whether we are paying rent for a house or just because we have no other option,” she lamented.
Other residents, including commercial driver Adeyemi and private school teacher Tunde Babalola, described the living conditions as degrading, citing broken shared toilets, leaking roofs, and arbitrary rent increases of 60–80% within a year, often without any improvement to facilities. Single mother Funmilayo Bidemi added that constant rent pressure affects mental health and family welfare.
Shop owners and small-scale business operators are similarly affected. Traders in Yaba and Mushin report abrupt rent hikes that squeeze profit margins and threaten business survival. Tailor Sola Ibrahim and accessories seller Michael Abiodun said landlords frequently demand higher rents with minimal notice, leaving tenants little choice but to comply.
Experts attribute the surge in housing costs to several factors, including the removal of fuel subsidies, rising prices of building materials, Lagos’ rapidly growing population, limited housing supply, and slow development of affordable housing. The practice of demanding one or two years’ rent upfront continues informally despite government opposition.
Many residents are now considering relocating to neighbouring states such as Ogun, where rents are lower. Hairstylist Blessing Nwankwo said she is forced to leave Lagos despite having her customer base there, while technician Agada Peter moved his family out and now commutes long distances to afford housing.
Despite repeated warnings from the Lagos State Government against exploitative rent practices, tenants say enforcement remains weak, leaving landlords with near-total control over the housing market.
