The housing situation in Lagos has taken a troubling turn as residents of Makoko Waterside, an informal settlement, face exorbitant rent for substandard living conditions.
In the heart of the lagoon, individuals are paying as much as N180,000 per year for two-room wooden shanties without basic amenities such as toilets or bathrooms.
Makoko, known for its precariously perched wooden homes on stilts, is home to hundreds of families struggling to find affordable housing in the ever-expanding city of Lagos. Despite lacking basic facilities, these homes serve as a refuge for those unable to afford formal housing.
Monday Isaiah, a driver and part-time plumber, explained how he moved to Makoko three years ago after rent in the city became unaffordable. He noted that residents are required to pay three years’ rent upfront, totaling N540,000, alongside additional fees for damages, agreements, and agent commissions, making it difficult for low-income earners to secure housing.
With the housing crisis worsening across Lagos, informal settlements like Makoko continue to swell as more people seek shelter in precarious and unsafe environments. These harsh realities highlight the growing disparity in housing affordability and availability in the state’s urban landscape.
