Many residents of Lagos are facing serious hardship as house rents continue to rise sharply across the city, even though living conditions remain poor in many areas.
In several neighbourhoods, tenants now pay between N1.5 million and N2.5 million per year for single rooms and self-contained apartments. Sadly, many of these houses lack basic facilities such as clean water, proper toilets, good drainage systems, steady electricity and effective waste disposal. For low- and middle-income earners already battling high food prices, transport costs and stagnant salaries, paying rent has become a heavy burden.
Across communities from the mainland to fast-growing suburbs like Ikorodu and Ajah, tenants complain about sudden rent increases without any improvement in facilities. Some residents say landlords increase rents by as much as 60 to 80 per cent when agreements expire. Those who cannot afford the new rates are asked to leave.
Mrs Funke Olamide, a trader in Ikorodu, said she pays N900,000 yearly for a single room without running water. She buys water daily and struggles with flooding and mosquitoes during the rainy season. “If you complain, they tell you to move out,” she said.
Adeyemi, a commercial driver, said tenants share broken toilets and deal with leaking roofs, yet landlords still raise rents yearly. “It feels like tenants have no protection,” he added.
The problem also affects small business owners. In areas like Yaba and Mushin, shop rents have increased sharply. Sola Ibrahim, a tailor, said his shop rent jumped from N200,000 to N550,000 without explanation. He said the increase is hurting his business.
Experts blame the situation on rising building material costs, fuel subsidy removal, Lagos’ growing population and limited affordable housing. Many landlords also demand one or two years’ rent upfront, making things harder for tenants.
Because of the pressure, some residents are moving to nearby Ogun State where rents are cheaper. Others now live outside Lagos and travel long distances daily to work.
Although the Lagos State Government has warned against unfair rent practices, many residents say enforcement is weak. For many families, housing in Lagos is no longer a basic need it is becoming a luxury.
