Lagos State is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, with the National Population Commission of Nigeria (NPC) in 2016 putting its population at over 21 million.
Many people flock to Lagos in search of greener pastures due to the economic viability of the state. Lagos is also a socially attractive city with lots of relaxation spots.
The infrastructure, on the other hand, is not compatible with the population. Lack of adequate infrastructure to accommodate the teeming population in Lagos is one of the reasons The Economist in an annual report, named Lagos as the second least liveable city in the world.
In order to cater for minimum wage earners in the state, who constitute majority of the population, the Lagos State government during the administration of Governor Babatunde Fashola decided to build ‘low cost’ housing estates.
However, according to The Next Edition findings, these houses may be called low cost on paper, but quite expensive for ordinary Nigerians to afford.
Unarguably, house rent is a major source of worry for minimum wage earners in Lagos and elsewhere in Nigeria, who earn not more than N20, 000 in a month, as they are very expensive. In the highbrow areas of Lagos, for instance, houses have become so expensive that tenants are leaving for rural areas.
According to reports, many Lagos residents live in slums and sub-standard houses. Affordable housing schemes in Nigeria have been proposed several times as a solution to the housing problems. It would be recalled that in 1991, the Lagos state government rolled out “Housing for all by the year 2000.”
Fast forward to 26 years later, many are of the view that the Lagos State government has not been able to provide affordable houses for majority of the residents despite the fact that low cost housing estates have been built by the government.
The Next Edition took a visit to Chief Anthony Enahoro Housing estate Ogba, Ikeja phase II on Iman Runmokun drive. It was difficult to interview residents because the security men at the gates do not let anyone in without the permission of the residents. Before leaving the estate, you must provide a gate pass given to you by a resident.
Even after having access to some residents, they refused to reveal anything about the houses when asked questions by our correspondent. They referred people who have enquiries to make about their houses to go to their head office at Alausa.
However, people living around the estate were able to reveal the little they knew. Muftau Agbara, who prays in Oluwole Mosque beside the estate, told The Next Edition that, “the estate which they called low cost isn’t low cost in anyway”. He said, “This place is for rich people. It is for big men. People like me cannot afford to rent or buy any flat here. The residents here drive luxurious cars. All flats have been occupied. I have a friend who wanted to rent a one-bedroom apartment but was asked to go elsewhere.”
Aside from the estate at Ogba, there are several other low cost housing estates built by the Lagos State government. The Next Edition learnt that the prices of the flats vary in terms of the number of rooms and location. Some estates are for sale, while some are for rent.
At Sir Michael Otedola estate in Epe, the flats are for sale. A room and parlour unit price is N1, 500,000; five percent down payment is N75, 000 while monthly payment is N15, 820.24. One bedroom unit price at the same estate is N2, 000,000, 5% down payment is N100,000 while monthly payment is N21, 093..10. A two bedroom-apartment unit price is N3, 5000, 000; five percent down payment is N175, 000 while monthly payment is N36, 914.
At Ajara, Badagry, the flats are also for sale. A one-bedroom unit price is N2,000,000, five percent down payment is N100,000 while monthly payment is N21, 093. A two-bedroom unit price is N3, 500,000; five percent down payment is N175, 000 while monthly payment is N36, 914. A three bedroom unit price is N6, 000,000; five percent down payment is N300, 000 while monthly payment is 63,281.
At Oko-Oba, before Abbatior Succo, Lagos, homes estate has two bedroom flats. Flats here are for rent. Each of the flats has two bedrooms and a living room. Each of the two bedroom flats cost N700, 000 in the first year. Subsequently it goes for N500, 000.
Speaking about the flats at Ajara, Badagry, Aisha Tijani, who lives at Alasia in Badagry, told The Next Edition that she finds “it ridiculous to be paying N21, 000 every month for 10 years after five percent down payment of 100,000.” I work and I earn N30, 000 every month. If I am to be paying N21, 000 every month for just one bedroom, how much would be left with me? I still have other bills to take care of. In my view, this estate wasn’t built for people like me. It was built for rich people. Government should build real low cost housings for the masses.” She said.
Another Lagos resident, Jide Aileru, said, “I would have rented a three bedroom flat and paid little by little for 10 years at Ogba housing estate until it becomes mine but I got discouraged when I got into the apartment to check it out. The bedrooms and sitting rooms are very small. You need to see the kitchen. Where I am staying at Isolo is far more spacious than that place but I pay less.”
According to a staff at the Ministry of Works and Housing in Lagos who pleaded for anonymity, “The Lagos State government had good intentions.. The problem is that they used expensive materials to build these so-called low cost houses and as a result of that the houses are quite expensive to rent. Any attempt by the Lagos State government to distribute the houses at giveaway prices would result in an overwhelming budget deficit for the government. Government cannot lose in the name of proving affordable houses for the masses, he said.
As it is, it will take many years of saving for people who earn less than N20, 000 a month to buy an apartment; not with current prices of commodities in the market, which are out of the reach of many Nigerians.
