Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat has sparked a debate about Nigeria’s housing crisis after advising young workers struggling with high rent to consider living with their parents or relatives, or sharing accommodation.
Hamzat made the suggestion while discussing the rising cost of housing in Lagos, citing the example of a 22-year-old earning about ₦100,000 a month who could face annual rent of around ₦1 million.
He argued that young workers should consider their income when choosing accommodation and avoid spending an unsustainable portion of their earnings on rent. He also pointed to mortgage financing and improved incomes as part of the longer-term solution to the housing challenge.
The advice has attracted different reactions.
For some, living with parents or relatives can be a practical way to reduce expenses, particularly for young workers who are just starting their careers. Sharing accommodation can similarly allow people to save money while working towards greater financial independence.
However, others point out that the option is not available to everyone. Some young Nigerians do not have parents with adequate space, while others move to cities such as Lagos from different parts of the country because of work or business opportunities.
The scale of the housing challenge also goes beyond individual decisions. Research presented at a Lagos housing forum in August estimated the city’s housing deficit at about 3.4 million units, highlighting the gap between housing demand and available supply.
Rising housing costs have also made affordability a major concern for workers. When rent takes up a significant share of a person’s income, there may be little left for transportation, food, healthcare and other everyday expenses.
For this reason, Hamzat’s comments have opened up a wider conversation: while living with family may be a reasonable short-term option for some young Nigerians, how can the country make independent and affordable housing more accessible?
Addressing that question will likely require more than individual financial adjustments, including increased housing supply, accessible financing and incomes that can better match the cost of living.
