High Rent, Eviction Pushing Lagos Residents To Bus Terminals, Pedestrian Bridges

As the cost of housing skyrockets, many Lagosians have been left with no choice but to seek shelter in abandoned vehicles, uncompleted buildings, or even the streets. Landlords, increasingly unable to renew contracts due to the soaring rent prices, have been handing out eviction notices to tenants.

Every night, after the day’s hustle fades into darkness, these vulnerable Lagosians find fleeting solace under the harsh city lights, struggling to hold onto hope amid an unforgiving tide of displacement. The very spaces meant for transit and movement have become the only refuge for those caught in the relentless grip of skyrocketing housing costs.

LEADERSHIP Sunday findings reveal that , these displaced individuals typically arrive at their makeshift shelters between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m. each night, and by 4:00 a.m. the following morning, they wake up, bathe, and prepare themselves for another day of work.

While some seek refuge under pedestrian bridges, others find shelter in abandoned vehicles or uncompleted buildings, where they often coexist with reptiles. This has become the harsh reality for many as the cost of housing continues to soar in recent times.

Our correspondents report that before the recent surge in rent, the typical occupants of these makeshift shelters were hawkers, street urchins, night traders, and a few individuals struggling with accommodation issues. However, in recent times, the landscape has changed dramatically. Now, even office workers are being forced to seek refuge in these areas, as escalating rent prices, evictions from their previous homes, or long distances from their workplaces push them into these harsh living conditions.

Although the police occasionally raid these areas, our findings further reveal that those arrested always manage to secure bail and return to the same spots, continuing to undermine the image of Lagos as a mega city and posing a growing security threat to others in society.

In recent times, incidents of rape and robbery, particularly at night, have risen sharply. Many attribute these crimes to the occupants of some of the aforementioned shelters, further highlighting the risks these vulnerable living conditions bring to the city.

Lagos, envisioned as a mega city, strives to become a global economic hub that is citizen-focused, offering a safe, secure, and productive living and working environment. However, this vision is increasingly threatened by challenges such as overpopulation, inadequate housing, and the rising cost of rent, which have fueled widespread homelessness—a social malaise compounded by the impacts of climate change.

With over 20 million people residing in the state and limited affordable housing options, many are left with no choice but to live on the streets, struggling to survive and make ends meet.

Overpopulation in Lagos has led to a myriad of challenges, chief among them being inadequate housing. Many residents are forced to live in informal settlements or slums, while others sleep on the streets. Homelessness has become a serious concern, not only defacing the city but also undermining the very infrastructure built to help Lagos reach its full potential.

Further investigation by LEADERSHIP Sunday has revealed growing concerns about crime across various parts of the city, underscoring the urgent need for intervention. In a bid to understand the realities faced by those who spend the night in Lagos’ terminal parks and densely populated areas, our correspondents spent a night in different parts of the city. The findings were nothing short of shocking.

The Maryland bus stop area in Ikeja, once home to the former Mobil filling station, has now become a hotspot for drug peddlers, prostitutes, and drinking joints, all interwoven with the activities of food vendors and other traders. This area is a magnet for all kinds of individuals, particularly youths, who patronise sellers of illicit drugs such as colos, marijuana, and a potent liquor mix marketed as an enhancer for sexual performance.

Prostitutes, known as ‘Olosho’ in Lagos, operate freely in the area. One such prostitute (Names withheld ) shared with our correspondents that she earns between N30,000 to N50,000 per night, depending on the clientele she serves. She further claimed that police officers are fully aware of their presence and, at times, even frequent their services. She described the business as bustling and lucrative, though fraught with risks, as police raids are common.

However, she alleged that many of those arrested, including drug dealers, are often released after paying a bribe.

A recent visit by our correspondents to the Ojodu-Berger bus-stop terminal revealed that the area takes on a completely different character after dark compared to the busy daytime pedestrian flow. At night, scores of beggars who occupy the terminal during the day take refuge under the pedestrian bridge, surrounded by other questionable figures, including young adults with no place to call home. Street urchins are also found huddled on the floor of the bridge, seeking shelter in the edifice.

One of the homeless youths, a 13-year-old boy, shared with our correspondents that he lost his father at infancy, eight years ago. He now shoulders the responsibility of supporting his mother and two siblings by begging and taking on odd jobs at the park.

This grim situation is not isolated to Ojodu-Berger alone. In other parts of Lagos, such as the Ikeja under-bridge bus-stop and the popular Toyin Street in Ikeja, the nightlife is similarly filled with pickpockets, street urchins known as Agberos, sex workers, and individuals seemingly addicted to drugs. Additionally, Awolowo Way in Ikeja has become notorious for petty thefts. Just near the under-bridge, men are observed surreptitiously pilfering phones and wallets from unsuspecting passersby, adding to the growing concerns of insecurity in the area.

From Alausa secretariat bus stop to Testing Ground, Alade, Allen, Balogun, and MAN House bus stops, it has become a common sight to see people sleeping on wooden chairs intended for commuters. These chairs, meant for daytime use by people waiting for buses, have turned into makeshift beds for those with nowhere else to go.

Basirat Babajide shared her concern, describing the thieves as highly skilled in their craft. “In the blink of an eye, they can steal from you without you even realising it,” she explained. Sadly, many locals are aware of these criminals but remain silent out of fear of retaliation.

The situation is similarly alarming in Oshodi, where young boys can be seen loitering aimlessly. Many of them gather around the railway lines, some sleeping, others smoking, and seemingly engaging in no productive activity.

In the Oshodi bus terminal and surrounding areas, tales of street boys, often called “Agberos,” indulging in illegal activities are common. At night, the area becomes a hotbed for drug trafficking, with marijuana being smoked openly by both the young and old, along with other illicit substances like colos. Liquor consumption further emboldens individuals, making them act recklessly and sometimes engage in violent behavior, including rape and other crimes they would not ordinarily commit.

Oshodi has long been notorious as a haven for thieves, pickpockets, and robbers due to its bustling nature and its position as a major transit hub connecting Lagos to other towns and cities. While the state government, in partnership with security agencies, has made efforts to combat crime and illegal trade, the enforcement of regulations seems inconsistent, with results that lack sustainability.

In an attempt to get a response on the matter, our correspondents reached out to the Lagos State Police public relations officer, Benjamin Hundenyin, to comment on the role of security forces in ensuring the safety of Lagos communities and reducing criminal activity by street urchins and other miscreants. However, the police spokesperson did not respond to messages or return calls at the time of this report.

An environmentalist and executive director of Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), Phillip Jakpor,

weighed in on the issue and offered a solution. He said, “The people living on the streets are victims of a system that fails to prioritise social security or housing for all segments of society. This is especially evident in Lagos as a Mega City.”

“But I don’t believe anyone would choose to sleep in bus terminals or create a nuisance there. It is mis-governance and poor planning by those entrusted with managing public affairs that has driven vulnerable people to these spaces,” he added.

Jakpor emphasised that the government’s role is to address the needs of all citizens, including the vulnerable. He stated that the masses should hold the government accountable for the ongoing crisis. Unfortunately, everyone suffers from the insecurity and unsanitary conditions associated with homeless people residing in public spaces.

He concluded by affirming that tackling insecurity among vulnerable and homeless populations in Lagos requires a comprehensive strategy, one that addresses both immediate needs and long-term structural challenges.

“Homelessness should not be treated as a criminal issue. Legal reforms are necessary to safeguard the rights of homeless individuals and ensure they are not harassed or arrested simply for lacking shelter.

“Efforts to rehabilitate homeless youth, offering them education and psychological support, should be central to addressing this societal crisis. The government should work with non-governmental organisations to scale up these initiatives,” Jakpor emphasised.

He further suggested that raising awareness about the struggles of homeless and vulnerable populations can foster empathy and inspire community-driven solutions, such as media outreach and engagement with local leaders.

“By combining affordable housing, economic opportunities, community policing, and legal reforms, Lagos can create a safer, more inclusive environment for all its residents. Collaboration between the government, NGOs, and local communities will be key to achieving these objectives,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, landlords of both commercial and residential properties in Lagos State have begun using renovation tactics to wrongfully evict long-term tenants. They give tenants very short notice to vacate, pushing them out of their homes.

This illegal practice has sparked discussions on the need for rent control measures to address the exploitation of tenants by landlords who justify unjustified rent hikes and eviction notices using renovation and market inflation tactics.

The practice of landlords using underhanded eviction tactics to force tenants out and then significantly increase rent for new tenants is becoming a concerning issue in some commercial property markets, particularly in major cities like Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan. This trend, driven by landlords’ desire to raise rents by up to 100% and impose additional charges, is resulting in significant hardship for tenants.

The eviction process often involves disruptive actions like removing the roof or doors of the property, making it uninhabitable or difficult for tenants to remain. Landlords, in collaboration with caretakers and local agents, then swiftly re-rent the properties at much higher prices, with agents taking significant commission cuts. These practices are not only unethical but also exacerbate the already challenging housing crisis by adding financial strain to tenants.

Stakeholders in the real estate sector have raised alarms about the impact of these practices, calling for more robust legal measures and government intervention to protect tenants. They argue that these eviction tactics are often a means of circumventing legal restrictions on rent increases, putting tenants in difficult positions and worsening the housing deficit. The need for tighter regulations to curb the power of unscrupulous landlords and agents has never been more pressing, especially as the housing market continues to struggle with affordability issues.

As the rent increases continue, many tenants are finding themselves in a precarious situation, with little recourse to avoid being forced out or facing crippling rent hikes. There is a growing concern that without intervention from local governments, this issue could spiral out of control, creating further instability in the housing market and deepening the housing crisis in urban centers across the country.

The significant rent increase experienced by Emmanuel Shonde, from N300,000 to N450,000, represents a shocking 50% hike and reflects a broader trend seen in popular residential areas like Ikeja GRA, Egbeda, Ojodu Berger, Ogba, Ikoyi, Lekki, Surulere, and Yaba. Many tenants are expressing frustration and concern, particularly as such increases often come without any improvement in the quality of the housing or additional amenities.

The situation in these areas highlights how rental prices are rising steeply in key parts of Lagos, placing a heavy financial burden on tenants. These steep rent hikes are occurring despite the fact that many tenants have been paying consistent rates for several years. The sharp increases have left tenants struggling to keep up with the rising costs, and many are appealing to landlords for reconsideration or reduction in the new rents.

As rent continues to escalate, there is growing concern about the affordability of housing in these sought-after neighborhoods, particularly as many tenants are already dealing with the challenges of a difficult economic environment. The rising rents could further strain the relationship between landlords and tenants and contribute to the already pressing housing crisis.

Another tenant in Ojodu also told our correspondent how the rent for a three-bedroom flat was increased from N700,000 to N1.6m after the landlord reportedly ejected all the tenants in his apartment and carried out minor renovation.

“After the renovation, the price was jerked up cutting across all categories of flats in the apartment. For instance, the rent for a mini flat was increased from N350,000 to N650,000; a two-bedroom flat was increased from N600,000 to N1.1m and so on.

“Though as I am talking to you people have been coming to check the apartments, the complaint is that the prices are too high,” the tenant said.

A resident who lives in Dopemu, Mr. Owolabi Yusuf confirmed the persistent increase of rent by his landlord. He said they particularly did not need to increase house rent because the economy is extremely hard.

He hinted that a two-bedroom flat costs between N1m to N1.3m in his estate while stressing that some tenants have been forced to vacate and move into their uncompleted buildings.

Mrs. Chinaza Ukpabi who resides in a three-bedroom apartment in an estate at Mangoro where she was paying N850,000 annually but decried that she could not get the same type of apartment at N1million when she sought to change residence.

She said, the recent hike in rent in Lagos is quite alarming as it is not the best time to increase rent due to the economic situation of the country caused by government policy.

She said : “I had to leave the apartment I occupied recently and after passing through difficulties to secure a befitting accommodation, the rent was almost three times my previous house rent with agents and lawyers who are ready to collect almost half of the annual rent.

“Some landlords are willing to collect N1million for a three-bedroom apartment, those who are willing to collect N900,000 will ask for two years or one and half years’ payment. This is terrible especially when the landlords and agents could see that the tenant is desperate.”

Speaking on this, managing Partner of The Law Suite, Prince Nwafuru, said the relationship between landlords and tenants in Nigeria was generally contractual.

He said: “The tenancy agreement typically provides the basis and extent of rent increment except where the relationship is not documented.

He noted that, it is easier for existing tenants to challenge unreasonable and arbitrary rent increases, where the relationship is documented in the tenancy agreement while stressing that the first measure is for tenants to insist on written agreements and have their lawyers review them before signing.

“The higher bargaining power of the landlord and the tendency to abuse such power in the course of negotiating the terms of the tenancy agreement is often checked by proper legal advice on the part of the tenant. The tenancy laws applicable in states in Nigeria equally provide some yardstick to measure the reasonableness of rent increase albeit subject to the agreement of the parties,” he pointed out.

For instance, the Tenancy Law of Lagos 2011 gives existing tenants the right to challenge unreasonable rent increases subject to the provision of the tenancy agreement.

“In determining whether an increase is unreasonable, the court is to consider several factors, which include the general level of rents in the locality or similar locality for comparative analysis; evidence of the parties; any special circumstances relating to the premises in question or any other relevant matter. Interestingly, this provision of the law is subject to the agreement between landlord and tenant,” he stressed.

Nwafuru noted that, while landlords have a right to increase rent under the tenancy laws, such right is not exercised arbitrarily but must be subject to the agreement of the parties and the factors considered earlier.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Ikeja Branch, Femi Adedotun, said the Lagos State Tenancy Law had given a lot of latitude to tenants.

However, he emphasised that, landlords maintained ownership of their property and, if not convinced otherwise, retained the ability to evict tenants by exploiting loopholes in the law.

He said: “Though the price is a direct product of demand and supply, the landlord has been magnanimous to state his intention of an increment of 100 per cent. The tenant can negotiate and count on past goodwill, in case it is non-existent.

“The tenant can seek redress through the court with the above-stated law. If the tenant wins, he pays whatever the court agrees, which may not be up to 100 per cent as noted by the landlord.

“However, the landlord who might have felt unhappy due to the judgment can serve him a quit notice, which will eject him within six months, making the tenant pay the old price for a period not less than one year. “

According to him, with the loophole in mind, the landlord can issue the quit notice six months before the end of the next due rent date, adding that, this way he would lose just a few weeks in rent if he can take advantage of the loophole of the law.

A real estate player, Mr. Tunde Balogun, blamed the development on the economic instability and inflation which affect the purchasing power of the people. He said landlords are also affected by the prevailing economic hardship in the country.

The CEO of RentSmallSmall, Balogun,  acknowledged that landlords, like anyone else, have financial responsibilities to meet, such as providing for their families. Whether it’s paying for food, school fees, or other essential expenses, landlords do have their own financial obligations. However, while understanding the landlord’s need to generate income, the rapid eviction tactics used by some landlords to increase rents may have negative societal consequences.

Market observers have raised alarms about the potential long-term effects of these eviction practices, warning that if left unchecked, they could contribute to a rising number of homeless individuals. The lack of affordable housing could create a growing population of people without stable homes, which in turn could lead to increased security concerns for the country. The situation calls for a balance between the legitimate financial needs of landlords and the protection of tenants’ rights, ensuring that the housing market remains stable and accessible for all. Addressing this issue with sound policies is essential to avoid exacerbating the country’s housing and security problems.