Live with parents or share rent, Lagos deputy gov advises young workers

Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat has advised young workers to avoid feeling pressured to rent expensive apartments and instead consider living with their parents, relatives, or in shared accommodation as they build their finances. During a Q&A session with Nigeria Info FM, Hamzat addressed concerns about how low-income young workers could manage rising rents in Lagos.

He suggested that young people should opt for accommodation that suits their income rather than aiming for top-tier housing. Hamzat noted that many young people in Nigeria, including himself, lived with their parents or relatives. He gave examples from other countries, such as Turkey, where young people also live with family members.

Hamzat emphasized that young workers should not feel compelled to immediately move into self-contained apartments if their income could not support such costs. He advised that individuals should not spend more than 40% of their income on rent, as there are other living expenses to consider like food, clothing, and transportation.

The state's housing strategy also includes making home ownership possible through mortgage financing, as Nigerians cannot continue buying houses through one-off payments. Lagos has a mortgage board to facilitate this system, and residents need to be properly identified and assessed to determine their ability to repay.