Report reveals gender bias in Lagos housing market

By Maduka Nweke

A recent report by BuyLetLive reveals that biases among landlords in Lagos are contributing to a lower housing occupancy rate among women. The report highlights that the restrictions and prejudices faced by single women from landlords are a significant factor in the disparity between male and female residents in the city’s rental market.

The study points out that the young adult population, particularly those aged 25 to 30, constitutes the largest segment of Lagos’s rental market. Despite this, the data shows that young single men represent a considerable proportion of the residential respondents. Specifically, 56.3% of the respondents are men, indicating a male-dominated real estate market.

The report noted that the preference for renting over owning property is prevalent among respondents. It attributes the high representation of men in the rental market to various factors, with the country’s economic conditions being a primary influence. The World Bank’s 2023 data shows that labor force participation among men in Nigeria stands at 65.9%, compared to 52.2% among women. Additionally, Statistica’s data reveals that around 40 million men were employed in 2023, versus 31.3 million women. This disparity in employment rates and financial capacity contributes to the higher representation of men in property rental and ownership.

Regarding rental preferences, the report highlights that approximately 43% of respondents in Lagos reside in two-bedroom apartments, followed closely by one-bedroom apartments at 41.5%. This trend indicates a robust demand for small to medium-sized apartments, driven largely by single individuals and small families. The most common rental payments fall between N500,000 and N1 million per annum, which corresponds with the income distribution of the respondents, who typically earn between N100,000 and N500,000 per month.

Overall, the report underscores the impact of gender biases and economic factors on the housing market in Lagos, revealing a need for more inclusive practices and policies to address these disparities.