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Gbeminiyi Ogunleye
4 weeks ago
Overview
Why Young Lagosians Can’t Afford Apartments «
Why Young Lagosians Can’t Afford Apartments: The Rent Crisis Gripping Agege & Mainland Ghettos
Lagos is one of Africa’s fastest-growing megacities, yet a severe housing crunch is ravaging the dreams of its young residents. According to the latest State of Lagos Housing Market Report, Lagos faces a housing deficit of around 3.4 million units, up from 2.95 million in 2016. Despite booming luxury development in the Island areas, over 70% of residents are tenants, many spending 40–60% of their income on rent. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
Skyrocketing Rent in Mainland Neighborhoods
Community-based estimates show that in mainland districts like Agege and Mushin, a one-bedroom apartment now rents for roughly ₦300,000–₦600,000 per year, while two-bedroom units can cost ₦600,000–₦1.2 million. For many young professionals earning below ₦100,000 monthly, or even ₦1.2 million annually, this price is unsustainable without sacrificing basic needs.
Take Agege, once seen as a low-cost corridor—rent for a simple one-bedroom now eats up 50–60% of a young person’s income. Meanwhile Mushin self-contain units can go for ₦100,000–₦150,000, but these are cramped and poorly serviced.
[b]Gentrification’s Hidden Cost
Even in the mainland, gentrification is rapidly altering the rental landscape. Areas like Yaba and Surulere, which were once affordable working-class hubs, are seeing new boutique apartments, chic cafes, and real estate speculation that price out long-time residents. Displaced families from places like Iwaya and Maroko frequently move deeper into mainland ghettos like Agege, tightening supply in those areas.
The Burden of Rent
The high cost of rent also disrupts daily life: most young workers endure long commutes from remote, often cheaper suburbs into commercial hubs. The financial squeeze forces many into communal living arrangements: shared flats, squatting, and even sleeping in unfinished buildings.
“Even with two mattresses in the room, the rent rate is high,” says an Agege-based make-up artist who shares space with four others. “We split ₦600,000 yearly, but it still drains our income.”
Students are also badly hit: reports show rent hikes of as much as 100% in the past year, leading university attendees to share overcrowded rooms or move into remote areas.
Why Lagos Rent Is So High
Several factors contribute to this crisis:
Rapid urbanization and an influx of 600,000 new residents yearly intensifying demand.
Construction material inflation and developer hurdles make cost recovery a priority, limiting supply of affordable stock.
Weak enforcement of the Lagos Tenancy Law (2015), allowing landlords to hike rent without oversight.
Government-led housing schemes remain insufficient, while bureaucracy stifles new affordable housing projects
Coping & Solutions
Despite economic pressure, young Lagosians are resourceful:
Sharing apartments and leveraging co-living models where available.
Squatting with relatives or friends in informal settlements.
Some relocate far into outskirts where rent is bearable, albeit with longer commutes.
Housing advocates recommend:
Enforcing tenancy laws and regulating rent increases.
Scaling government-led affordable housing projects.
Expanding co-living and micro-unit development targeted at young earners
Conclusion
A young professional in Yaba earning around ₦100,000/month now spends roughly half their income just to keep a roof. Their reality—remote residence, long commute, split rent, and limited social life—underscores a harsh truth: Lagos is a city of dreams built on a foundation of ever-rising rent pressure.
Without urgent policy change, they’ll continue to hustle—not just for career or education—but just to hold on to home itself.
