High Rent Crisis: Nigerians Resort to Living in Shop Spaces as Apartments

The soaring cost of rent in Nigeria has forced many citizens to turn commercial shops into makeshift apartments, as landlords continue to hike rental fees beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Rent increases — often by over 100 percent — became widespread after the COVID-19 pandemic, fueled by government policies that weakened purchasing power. For many, living in a decent apartment has now become a distant dream.

Opinion Nigeria found that even tenants in one-room apartments struggle to keep up, prompting some to move their families back to the village while they remain in town, living in shop spaces.

Mr. Jude Boma, a mechanic, narrated his experience:
“A few months ago, my rent for a room-and-parlour apartment was increased by over 300 percent. As a vulcanizer, where do I get N150,000? My wife suggested we move into the church for a while, but I told her we should consider relocating to the village. I eventually sent my family home and rented a shop space to share with some friends. It’s not easy, but where there is life, there is hope.”

Miss Osasowie George, a pure water seller, also shared her struggle:
“I used to pay N30,000 for a room. The landlord’s son increased it to N80,000. We begged but he refused. Later, we found a shop attached to a building and rented it for N20,000 a year since nobody wanted it for business. If things get worse, I’ll just return to the village.”

Caretaker and agent, Mr. Idris Moshood, explained that many landlords now lease out unused shops as housing:
“Instead of leaving shops vacant, they rent them out to artisans, conductors, and laborers who just need a place to sleep. Sometimes two or three people share the space to split the cost.”

Despite government efforts to ease the burden, thousands face eviction as rising rents push more Nigerians into unconventional and uncomfortable living conditions.

Opinion Nigeria News