Nigeria’s housing affordability challenge is worsening as rising rents across major cities force many workers to spend a large share of their income on accommodation.

Recent reports show that tenants in cities such as Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt now spend more than 60 percent of their earnings on rent, significantly higher than the 30 percent affordability benchmark recommended by the United Nations.

The rent-to-income ratio is a key measure used to determine housing affordability. It calculates the percentage of a person’s monthly income spent on rent. Housing experts say the ratio in Nigeria has climbed sharply in recent years due to increasing accommodation costs and economic pressures on households.

Over the past two years, rents in several Nigerian cities have reportedly increased by more than 100 percent, putting additional strain on tenants and making home ownership more difficult for many Nigerians.

Many residents have also reported sudden rent increases by landlords. A Lagos-based professional, Oluwasegun Olamilekan, explained that the annual rent for his two-bedroom apartment outside the city centre recently increased from ₦450,000 to ₦850,000.

He said similar apartments in his neighbourhood are now rented to new tenants for up to ₦1.2 million per year, excluding additional charges such as agency, agreement and caution fees. When these extra costs are added, tenants may end up paying between ₦1.5 million and ₦2 million to secure accommodation.

Industry experts say the housing affordability threshold in Nigeria has been severely strained. Speaking at a real estate forum in Lagos, Olajumoke Akinwunmi, co-founder of Alitheia Capital and chairman of Purple Group, noted that some Nigerians now spend as much as 70 percent of their income on housing.

She said the current situation has made it increasingly difficult for aspiring homeowners to buy property, as rising costs have significantly increased the financial requirements for home ownership.

Experts also attribute the surge in housing costs to rising construction expenses. Although data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows inflation has slowed in recent months, prices of building materials continue to increase.

For instance, the cost of a 50kg bag of cement has risen from about ₦7,500 in late 2025 to between ₦11,500 and ₦15,000 in many parts of the country.

According to Timothy Nubi, professor and founding director of the Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development at the University of Lagos, other building materials such as steel and sand have also experienced significant price increases, further pushing up development costs and rental prices.

Analysts say the housing market is currently under pressure as both tenants and developers struggle with economic uncertainty. While renters face increasing accommodation costs, developers are also dealing with fluctuating building material prices, making it difficult to determine realistic property prices.

Experts warn that without stronger housing policies and increased supply of affordable homes, the housing affordability crisis in Nigeria may continue to worsen.

The post Nigeria’s Housing Crisis Deepens as Rent Consumes Majority of Workers’ Income appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Several suburbs including and are emerging as affordable housing destinations as rising rents continue to push many residents away from central districts in Lagos.

A report by , a data-driven real estate market intelligence platform, revealed that many tenants are increasingly relocating to suburban communities where rental costs remain relatively lower compared to high-end neighbourhoods.

Rising Rent Forcing Residents Out of City Centres

The rental market in Lagos has seen significant increases in recent years, creating financial pressure for many residents who depend on rented accommodation.

As rents continue to surge in major commercial districts, many tenants are moving farther from city centres in search of affordable homes, particularly in communities located on the outskirts of the city.

The report noted that affordability in these locations assumes renters can commit 15 to 20 percent of their annual income to housing, with average monthly earnings ranging between ₦67,000 and ₦356,000 depending on occupation.

Lagos Suburbs With Relatively Affordable Rent

Estate Intel identified several areas where housing remains comparatively affordable. These include:

• Ikorodu
• Ojo
• Agege
• Alagbado
• Ijaiye
• Ikotun
• Abule Egba
• Lakowe
• Epe

Other neighbourhoods offering affordable rental options include Ojodu Berger, Bariga, Isolo, Oyingbo, Egbeda, and Oshodi.

Huge Rent Gap Between Suburbs and Prime Districts

The rental prices in these areas contrast sharply with high-end neighbourhoods such as , , and , where rents for a two-bedroom apartment can reach about ₦530,000 per month, translating to roughly ₦6.4 million annually.

In comparison, renters can still find a two-bedroom apartment in Ojo for between ₦400,000 and ₦500,000 per year, while a one-room self-contained apartment in Ikotun may cost between ₦250,000 and ₦350,000 annually, depending on the property condition and available facilities.

Demand for Affordable Housing Rising

Analysts say the migration toward suburban communities reflects growing affordability challenges within Lagos’ housing market.

As property prices and living costs continue to increase in commercial districts such as , more residents are expected to seek accommodation in developing suburbs where housing remains relatively affordable.

Real estate experts also predict that demand for affordable housing in Lagos outskirts will continue to rise as urban expansion spreads development beyond the city centre.

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A professor at the has revealed that nearly 40 percent of university lecturers in Nigeria now sleep in their offices due to the country’s worsening housing crisis.

The disclosure was made by , a professor of estate management and housing advocate, during a housing policy event held at the university in .

Rising Rent Pushing Lecturers Out of Housing Market

According to Nubi, the sharp rise in rental costs around major urban centres, especially around the campus in Akoka, has made accommodation unaffordable for many academics.

“I stand here to tell you today that almost 40 percent of lecturers in universities sleep in their offices,” he said.

“They sleep in their offices. You see them taking baths around the faculty every morning. That is the state of the country.”

The professor cited a recent case where a two-bedroom apartment around Akoka was rented for ₦3.5 million per year, a price he said is far beyond what most lecturers can comfortably afford.

According to him, such rent could amount to about seven months of a professor’s salary.

Nigeria’s Housing Deficit Continues to Grow

Nubi said the situation facing lecturers reflects a broader national housing crisis affecting millions of Nigerians.

He explained that Nigeria’s housing deficit has expanded significantly over the years, rising from about five million units decades ago to an estimated 17–22 million housing units today.

“Instead of the problem reducing, the problem keeps increasing,” he noted.

Calls for Inclusive Housing Policies

The professor made the remarks during a forum organised by the in partnership with the , the , and other housing advocacy groups.

Participants at the event stressed the need for inclusive housing policies that ensure affordable accommodation for workers and low-income residents.

Nubi cited international examples where developers are required to allocate a percentage of housing units for essential workers such as teachers and drivers in order to create mixed-income communities.

Concerns Over Demolitions and Displacement

Civil society organisations also criticised forced evictions and demolitions in some urban communities, particularly areas like , which they say have worsened housing insecurity for low-income residents.

Housing experts warned that failure to address housing inequality could lead to wider social instability and urged policymakers to work with researchers and civil society groups to develop sustainable solutions.

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Residents across several parts of Lagos have raised alarm over escalating house rents, calling for swift legislative and executive measures to prevent a worsening housing crisis.

In separate interviews, tenants described the rental market as increasingly unaffordable, with many stating that accommodation now consumes a significant portion of their annual earnings.

Households Spending Majority Of Income On Rent

A housing market report released in 2023 indicated that Nigerian households spend between 50 and 70 per cent of their income on rent, far exceeding the globally recommended benchmark of 30 per cent. Analysts described the trend as evidence of deeper structural imbalances in the housing sector.

Rasaq Adebanjo, a resident of Ogba, said landlords frequently impose automatic rent increases after a few years of tenancy.

“House rents in Lagos have become overwhelming. Even when you find something within reach, it often takes almost your entire yearly income,” he said.

Young Workers Struggle With Accommodation

A corps member, Mercy, recounted her experience searching for housing shortly after relocating to Lagos.

She said she was quoted ₦1.5 million for a mini flat in Surulere, a figure she described as shocking given her combined monthly earnings from her national service allowance and workplace stipend.

Similarly, Peter, a recent graduate, said he currently resides in neighbouring Ogun State due to high rents in Lagos, commuting daily at considerable transport cost.

Tenants Face Rising Renewal Rates

Damola Hafiz, a banker working in Obalende, said his landlord increased his rent from ₦800,000 to ₦900,000 within a year for a single room apartment in Ketu.

“When I resisted, I was told to vacate. After searching elsewhere, I realised I had little choice but to negotiate,” he said.

Another resident in Ikeja, Moses, noted that high rents, food prices, and transportation costs have made savings nearly impossible for many salary earners.

Assembly Aspirant Proposes Rent Caps

Speaking on the issue, Lagos State House of Assembly aspirant Ayodele Adio described the situation as a “rent crisis.”

He proposed linking annual rent increases strictly to official inflation data released by the National Bureau of Statistics, arguing that landlords should not raise rents beyond the prevailing inflation rate.

Adio also pledged to introduce legislation that would:

• Cap agency and legal fees at five per cent
• Require a minimum 12-month notice before rent adjustments
• Restrict rent reviews to once every three years

Regulation Of Short-Term Rentals

He further called for tighter oversight of short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb, contending that the growth of short-let apartments has reduced the availability of long-term residential housing.

According to him, while regulatory measures could stabilise the market in the short term, the long-term solution lies in increasing supply.

Call For Expanded Housing Delivery

Adio advocated facilitating or constructing at least 20,000 housing units annually over the next decade to ease pressure on the rental market.

He argued that high land prices, escalating construction costs and expensive financing have limited the private sector’s ability to deliver affordable housing at scale.

“Government must intervene more decisively in housing provision and mortgage reforms to ease the burden on working residents,” he said.

Efforts to obtain official comment from the Lagos State Government were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

As rental costs continue to rise, residents warn that without immediate intervention, the Lagos rent crisis could further strain household finances and deepen urban inequality.

The post Lagos Rent Crisis Deepens as Residents Seek Controls appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Tenants in Lagos are paying nearly double their rent as agency and legal fees continue to exceed the limits set by the Lagos State Tenancy Law, despite repeated government warnings.

The law, enacted in 2011, caps both agency and legal fees at 10% of the annual rent. However, violations remain widespread, particularly in areas dominated by informal agents operating outside professional oversight.

In 2025, the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) restated that any charge above the 10% threshold is illegal, warning agents and landlords to comply. Yet, many renters continue to bear inflated costs.

For example, Stainless Precious, a tenant in Ikorodu, paid ₦400,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and another ₦400,000 in additional charges, including ₦150,000 each for agency and legal fees. Similarly, Daniel Iwuoha in Maya, Ikorodu, paid ₦240,000 total for an apartment with a base rent of ₦150,000. Both dealt with unregistered agents.

While informal agents dominate most parts of the city, high-end neighborhoods like Victoria Island and Lekki show better compliance. Licensed estate firms there typically adhere to the 10% ceiling, backed by professional standards and regulatory oversight.

Bukola Ekunola, an accredited estate valuer, said his firm strictly applies the 10% cap as required by law. “Transactions in premium areas are more structured because professionals are involved,” he explained.

Experts blame the persistent breaches on weak enforcement, limited housing supply, and the prevalence of unregistered agents. Real estate analyst Olabisi Odusanya said, “Fee caps won’t work unless housing supply improves and agency operations are properly formalized.”

The Lagos State Government, through LASRERA, has made agent registration mandatory since June 2025 to curb fraud and promote accountability. The agency continues to work with professional bodies like the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) to ensure compliance though enforcement remains a challenge in the city’s vast informal property market.

By: Caleb Obiowo

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