Lagos State Deputy Governor and 2027 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Obafemi Hamzat, has advised Nigerians, particularly young workers, against committing more than 40 percent of their income to rent, amid growing concerns over the rising cost of housing across the country.

Hamzat made the remarks while featuring as a guest on Nigerian Info, where he addressed questions around housing affordability, income levels and the broader economic pressures confronting Lagos residents.

The deputy governor argued that young people entering the workforce should resist the pressure to immediately move into large or expensive apartments, noting that shared accommodation and modest housing arrangements could ease their financial burden in the early stages of their careers.

He stressed that Nigerians should not misunderstand cultural practices around communal living as a step backward, suggesting that a one bedroom flat or even a self contained apartment could serve as a reasonable starting point depending on a young worker’s income level.

Hamzat also used the platform to champion a culture of savings, explaining that an individual’s ability to save should factor into decisions around eventually acquiring property. He indicated that demonstrating financial discipline through consistent savings could position young Nigerians to access property opportunities further down the line, framing the habit as more important than chasing an expensive apartment early on.

His comments come against the backdrop of a worsening housing affordability crisis in Nigeria, with recent data showing that rent to income ratios in cities like Lagos and Abuja have climbed well beyond the widely referenced 30 percent global affordability benchmark, with some tenants now spending 60 to 70 percent of their earnings on rent alone.

Hamzat’s remarks add to an ongoing national conversation about how young workers and low income earners can navigate a rental market that analysts say has been shaped more by supply constraints and market forces than by individual budgeting choices.