Lagos Deputy Governor Hamzat Advises Young Workers: Live With Parents or Share Apartments
Lagos, August 22, 2026 — Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat has advised young workers struggling with soaring accommodation costs to consider living with their parents or relatives or sharing apartments rather than stretching themselves thin on expensive self-contained flats.
Hamzat made the remarks during a question-and-answer session on Nigeria Info FM on Thursday while responding to concerns about how a young worker earning ₦100,000 monthly could afford an apartment costing about ₦1 million a year.
“We Are Cultural People”
The deputy governor stressed that many young Nigerians traditionally remain with family while building their careers and finances.
“Don’t let us misunderstand ourselves as a people. We are cultural people,” he said.
“If I start work as a young person and I’m not married, a lot of us live with our parents. A lot of us live with our cousins.”
He pointed to practices in other countries, including Turkey, where young people often share accommodation or stay with family until they are financially stronger.
“You don’t start from the top. You start from the average depending on [your income],” Hamzat added.
He also warned against spending more than 40 per cent of income on rent, noting that workers still need money for food, clothing, transportation and other essentials.
“If you spend more than 40 per cent of your income on rent, it is too high,” he said.
Mortgage Alternative and Broader Economic Context
Hamzat highlighted the state government’s efforts to improve access to home ownership through long-term mortgages rather than requiring full payment upfront.
Using the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) system, the government can assess residents’ repayment capacity.
He gave an example of a ₦7 million property where a buyer could pay 10 percent (₦700,000) initially and spread the balance over 10 years, with monthly installments adjusted to income—potentially as low as ₦25,000 or ₦35,000.
The deputy governor acknowledged that the housing challenge cannot be separated from the wider economy.
He said governments must work towards an environment where Nigerians earn better incomes so they can cope with the rising cost of basic goods and services.
His comments come as many Lagos residents face intense pressure from high rents, agency fees and the overall cost of living.
Critics have linked the hardship to broader economic policies, including taxation and inflation under the current federal administration, though Hamzat focused on practical coping strategies and state-level housing initiatives.
The advice has sparked mixed reactions online, with some praising the call for financial realism and others arguing that it shifts responsibility away from government to provide more affordable housing options.
As rents continue to climb in Africa’s largest city, Hamzat’s message underscores the growing gap between earnings and housing costs for young workers just starting out in Lagos.
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