We live higher in Lagos, Nigeria
Living in Lagos, Nigeria, presents a unique set of challenges, primarily due to the cost of living. It is a megacity known for its commercial hub. Each day, the reality of how we spend our hard-earned money weighs heavily on our shoulders. Because of its commercial hubs, people are ready to pay their way to stay. That is, Lagos has a high population, so many people want to stay in Lagos, thereby causing a high cost of living.
Let’s begin with accommodation, this is a significant burden for many residents in Lagos. The high house rents in Lagos have caused many to be financially handicapped, leading to a crisis that affects countless individuals and families. Landlords have made the situation worse, making housing an exceptionally difficult issue for many. For instance, imagine paying seven hundred thousand naira annually for just a room-self-contained unit. When it comes to larger accommodations, such as two- or three-bedroom apartments, the prices escalate even further.
Earlier this year, my landlord announced a rent increase; wha I'mt was once five hundred thousand naira for a three-bedroom apartment skyrocketed to eight hundred thousand naira. After much pleading, she reluctantly agreed to reduce it to seven hundred thousand naira with a strict warning to vacate the apartment if we can't cope, but do we have a choice? If we did, we would end up paying agent fees, agreement and commission, and damages added to the new rent. This is dangerous!
Transportation costs presently are another financial challenge that residents face. Even though this issue is prevalent across Nigeria, anytime there’s a rise in petrol prices, the cost of commuting spikes as well. I used to spend about one thousand and five hundred naira daily for transportation to and from work, but that amount has now doubled! To balance these rising costs, I have made a conscious effort to live closer to my workplace, yet it still feels like we are in a never-ending cycle of financial strain.
Then, there’s the escalating cost of feeding the family. This is perhaps the most distressing aspect of all. Once affordable groceries are now becoming increasingly expensive. The disparity can occur within a matter of hours; what you could buy earlier in the day may triple in price by the afternoon. Consequently, our meals have transformed; we no longer enjoy balanced diets but rather consume whatever is available, often compromising on nutrition and quality. We eat what we see!
Could a change of location offer a solution? Yes, relocating to a more affordable area might ease some of these burdens. For instance, in the northern part of Nigeria, the cost of living is affordable. I had the privilege of serving there and I enjoyed a more comfortable lifestyle, where the affordability of essentials such as transportation, food, electricity, and accommodation contributed to a better quality of life. I remember securing a self-contained room for just twenty-four thousand naira per year. Who does that in Lagos? Such rates are virtually unheard of in this Megacity.
Basically, finding ways to ease our financial struggles in Lagos requires government intervention to stabilize prices of basic amenities, especially on the accommodation part, to make life a little less burdensome for residents in Lagos state, Nigeria. Until then, we continue to navigate the high cost of living with resilience and hope for a better tomorrow.
This is my participation in the #hivelearners weekly contest on week 159 edition one on the topic: The cost of living.
All images are sourced.
Thank you for reading 💕
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Landlords aren't making the journey easy for us too... government seems not to care in reducing the hike in food at least... transportation, everything is just a mess
Sometimes I think of relocating but I still like lagos but devising strategic means of managing
That is it!
Nobody wants to leave and everybody wants to come to Lagos 🤣🤣
You see that landlords and agents saga, the government needs to step in at least they should give them a standard rule to obey.
Two - Three years rent with agreement and commission and sometimes damages to be paid at a go for a first timer is too much.
It is well!
In fact, it's quite difficult to survive in big cities unless you have a lot of money. I'm very sorry to hear that your rent has increased because the prices of everything have increased a lot these days, and it's really difficult to keep up with the increase in rent. The situation in our country is pretty much the same and we are also going through a lot of stress.
It's so frustrating and annoying when you have leaders to represent the masses, but they care for themselves alone.
The landlords are too greedy to the extent of increasing the rent every year so that they can frustrate the living out of one's life.
Hahaha. I doubt you will see a room self contained at 24k even in the Northern part again. Lol
But that's so cheap compared to places like Lagos. Wow. Cost of living and feeding is now gold oo. Sincerely, if only our government could reduce the prices of goods and services.
So cheap you say?
I have a sister who just graduated from Ahmadu Bello University last year December; her hostel rent for a year was 9k; isn't that amazing?
If not their fight and war issue, I will just relocate to Plateau State.
Hahaha 😀
That's another issue. One has to consider security there, too.
Exactly
House rent in Lagos alone can send someone back to the village and to add electricity bills hmmm you are already spending your life savings, now to talk of food that keeps getting expensive for no reason
Sometimes I wonder why people are so selfish about gaining more money on what they sell because I just relocate to another area and cost of living in the new area is so cheap compared to my former area
Imagine!
It's too high here and those market women are too selfish, something worth #20 can turn to #50 within a short period.
May God heal our land🙏
When I visited Lagos recently and heard the amount my friend pays for rent, I wanted to run into the streets but then I just had to hold myself for my family members.
The cost of living in Lagos isn't for the weak.
😂😂😂😂😂
When you get to some places ehn, you will be sweating and cold at the same time due to the outrageous amount they 0ay for rent. Lekki for instance
I can relate to housing in Lagos, I have a friend who told me about an agent who charges more than the house rent for his commission not to mention food and transportation, the cost of living in Nigeria is killing the living now.
You are right 👍
Don't mind those agents, they are devil in human form. Before they can agree to take you to see a house, you will pay 5k and if you're not comfortable with it,they don't care🤔
The cost of living here is a death trap!