Nigeria faces escalating housing and homelessness crisis

Nigeria is experiencing a severe housing crisis driven by rapid urbanization, population growth, and rising living costs. The crisis has evolved from a localized urban issue into a nationwide phenomenon, with an estimated 4.5 million people experiencing homelessness—the highest figure in Africa according to the 2025 World Population Review.

Beyond those living in makeshift shelters or under bridges, the crisis is increasingly affecting the middle class, with some individuals forced to live in vehicles due to unaffordable rents. The shortage of secure and affordable housing is attributed to structural failures, including deepening inequality and the inability of successive governments to provide an enabling environment for housing development.

Institutional challenges further exacerbate the problem. Agencies such as the Federal Mortgage Bank and state entities like the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) are criticized for inefficiency and a shift toward luxury developments rather than fulfilling their mandates for affordable housing. Additionally, regulatory bottlenecks, including multiple taxation and poor land administration, continue to discourage necessary investment in the property market.