- Lagos residents protest increased rental fees and agent charges, calling for government intervention
- Onwuzor Ikechukwu, Tenant-Watch coordinator, urges the Lagos State Assembly and the Governor to regulate housing agreements and commissions
- Online reactions highlight widespread anger, with some calling agents "thieves" and labelling the housing crisis a product of greed and lack of regulation
In a viral video circulating on X (formerly Twitter), Lagos residents have voiced their frustrations over the escalating cost of securing apartments, and this time, it's not just about high rent but the outrageous fees charged by agents in the name of “agreement,” “commission,” and “damages.”
The discontent cuts across all parts of the state, from Ajah to Alimosho and Ikorodu to Ojuelegba, painting a disturbing picture of a system that has spiralled out of control.
Onwuzor Ikechukwu, the coordinator of Tenant-Watch in Lagos, spoke passionately about the issue:
"We're protesting to the House of Assembly and the governor's office. They should help us arrange this thing properly because the rate at which agents are increasing house agreements and commissions is getting out of hand."
He explained that even for a house with a rent of N800,000, tenants are forced to cough up an additional N80,000; N40,000 each for agreement and commission, bringing the total package to N880,000.
And that's if you're lucky. In many cases, the extras are far more punishing.
For Mrs. Adesola Olufemi, a resident of Ikorodu, the issue goes beyond government intervention:
"The commission and agreement fees are alarming; it's killing people. It's now an individual problem, not just a government one."
She shared a personal experience: while trying to rent a two-bedroom flat with three toilets at Ojuelegba, the apartment was priced at N1 million. However, the agent demanded an additional N1 million for agreement, commission, and damages, effectively doubling the cost to N2 million.
Similarly, Onome Ejovi from Ajah lamented that in her estate, house owners were reportedly encouraged by agents to raise rents.
Her own rent soared from N2 million to N3 million in one swoop.
Obuh Conscience, a resident of Alimosho, made a sharp distinction:
"There’s a difference between a 'rector' and an agent. Rectors are trained, certified professionals. But most of these so-called rectors now employ agents to help them do nonsense."
According to him, the "agents" are largely unregulated, untrained, and unprofessional, exacerbating the already dire housing situation in Lagos.
Nigerians React: "it’s not just about rent anymore, it's about greed"
The viral video triggered a massive outpouring of reactions online, with many Nigerians sharing their experiences and frustrations:
@japhetho exclaimed, "House rent N800k, Total N1.3M, N500k for agreement and commission. Mad people!"
@oluwaseundsp revealed a tech solution in the works: "My company, Modern Realty Management Nigeria Limited, is building an app like Uber for real estate, connecting landlords and tenants directly to cut out greedy agents."
@charles_maney pointed out: "Some apartments in Lagos Island are more expensive than apartments in the US!"
@rusticfunmi lamented: "It’s sad we have to call on the government to regulate our own greed."
@Solz_xx didn’t mince words: "Agents are thieves... they too dey do!"
@mrmanjustdoit noted: "Nigeria’s problems are majorly human factors."
@nwosu_tryce criticised agents for their attitude: "Those self-employed, miserable-looking people calling outrageous amounts."
@emmarnoel explained: "Most of the fees actually go to landlords. Agents only get a tiny settlement."
@DavoMel_s shared a personal experience: "Checked a shop yesterday, rent N360k, agent fee N300k. I just walked away."
@Muissdeen stressed: "House rent is killing in every part of Lagos. The government must act."
@OduscoØ3 highlighted the lack of regulation: "Anyone can just become a house agent overnight."
@humanistadeyemi revealed the collusion: "Landlords and agents are partners in extortion. You must pass through their 'agent' even when there’s none."
@OhumendeOsas called out government failure: "We have no regulatory systems. Anyone can do whatever they like."
@achokowuya accused landlords of foul play: "Some increase rent yearly just to milk new tenants for agreement and commission fees."
@oluwakayceee questioned the profession itself: "Imagine being a full-time agent just to charge desperate people crazy fees."
FG says 1-bedroom apartments under its Renewed Hope Estates cost about N9 million
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Federal Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Musa Dangiwa, disclosed that government-backed one-bedroom apartments under the Renewed Hope Estates Programme are priced between N8 million and N9 million.
In comparison, one-bedroom units developed through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) under the Renewed Hope Cities initiative cost around N22 million.
The Renewed Hope Cities model aims to cater to middle- and high-income earners, while the government-funded estates are designed for lower-income groups.