The housing crisis in Nigeria is primarily a rental property supply issue and not a homeownership problem.
If you have searched for a residential property to rent in Lagos, Abuja, or any other major city in Nigeria, you know the struggle is real. Rents are skyrocketing, decent homes are hard to find, and when you finally find one, you are slapped with outrageous agency fees, legal fees, inspection fees, and even caution fees that no one seems to account for. Meanwhile, thousands of newly built houses sit empty because they are priced far beyond what the average Nigerian can afford.
This mismatch between supply and demand is at the heart of Nigeria’s housing crisis. The real issue isn’t just homeownership — it is the rental supply problem.
Don’t get it twisted, homeownership is a problem, but it is not the core issue.
While homeownership is difficult due to high construction costs, limited mortgage financing, and expensive land, it is not an immediate crisis. Most Nigerians are not actively looking to buy a home but rather seeking stable, affordable, and flexible rental housing that fits their income level and lifestyle.
Policymakers and developers keep pushing for more high-end houses, assuming that people just need to “own their homes.” But let’s be honest — for a mostly youthful population who love the city lifestyle, 3-bedroom bungalows in the outskirts of town may be a part of the solution but not the first solution. Most Nigerians can’t afford to buy a house outrightly. What most working young adults need is quality, well-managed, and affordable rental housing in city-center locations where they can live, work, and thrive.
Yet, we see:
- Thousands of new luxury homes sitting empty because they are too expensive.
- A massive demand for rental apartments, even in poorly maintained buildings.
- Rents increasing every year due to limited supply, making it harder for the average Nigerian to secure a decent place to live.
The question then becomes why aren’t investors building more rental properties?
It’s not like investors don’t see the opportunity — many do. But the barriers to investing in rental housing discourage them:
- Unpredictable Tenants and Payment Defaults — Many property owners and managers have horror stories of tenants who refuse to pay rent on time, if at all.
- Poor Property Management — Investors don’t want the stress of handling repairs, rent collection, and tenant complaints.
- Excessive Middlemen Charges — Traditional rental transactions are loaded with unnecessary fees (agency, legal, inspection, caution fees) that discourage both renters and landlords.
- Regulatory and Economic Uncertainty — Inflation, fluctuating building costs, and inconsistent policies make long-term rental investments feel risky.
Fixing the supply gap in rental properties is exactly why Citiliving exists and here is how Citiliving is fixing the rental supply problem.
At Citiliving, we recognize that renting is the real backbone of housing in urban Nigeria. That’s why we are leveraging the power of technology and community to create a transparent and efficient rental ecosystem that benefits both renters and property investors.
Here’s how we are doing it:
1. Eliminating the Greed in Rental Transactions
No more excessive agency fees, hidden charges, or unaccounted caution fees. Renters pay for the property — not unnecessary middlemen.
2. Guaranteeing Timely Rent Payments for Investors
Through financial screening using credit checks and rent automation, investors don’t have to chase tenants for payments.
Verified renters + automated collection = stress-free property ownership.
3. Professional Property Management
From tenant screening using credit checks to facility maintenance, Citiliving takes the burden off property owners and ensures their investments remain profitable without the usual headaches.
4. Making Rental Housing Attractive Again
Instead of building homes that remain empty, we work with JV partners to develop high-demand rental properties in city-center locations where people do actually want to live.
5. Encouraging Smart Investment in Rental Housing
With a data-backed approach, we show investors the best locations and strategies to maximize rental returns.
A Win-Win for Everyone
By focusing on rental housing, we create a system where:
1. Renters get better quality homes at fair prices, without hidden fees.
2. Investors enjoy stress-free property management and steady rental income.
3. Developers build properties that meet real market demand and that people can actually afford to live in.
It is our reasoned conviction that the Nigerian housing crisis isn’t just about homeownership — it’s about getting rental housing right. That’s what Citiliving is here to do.
If you are a renter, property owner, or developer, join us in solving the supply issue in rental housing and shaping the future of urban living in Nigeria.
Visit www.thecitiliving.com today to join our community of renters, property developers, investors, realtors and joint venture partners!