A young Nigerian student's quest for accommodation in Lagos has gone viral after she paid a staggering N1.6 million for a self-contained apartment only to discover significant wall damage that required immediate repairs.
The Initial Attraction Turns Sour
The lady, who identifies as @dah_blaq on TikTok, documented her experience in a video that has sparked widespread discussion online. She initially found the apartment appealing because the walls appeared freshly painted and well-maintained, eliminating what she thought would be an extra expense.
However, her excitement turned to disappointment when she began preparing to move into the property. The previous tenant had removed wall designs and fixtures, leaving behind damaged and dented walls throughout the apartment.
Unexpected Repair Costs
This unexpected development created a financial burden the student hadn't anticipated. When she approached her landlord about the wall damage, she was informed that she would bear full responsibility for the repair costs despite having just paid the substantial annual rent.
Fortunately, a painter she had previously recommended for work came to her rescue by fixing the walls pro bono. The renovation included painting part of the wall green to coordinate with her bed's color scheme.
Social Media Backlash and Reactions
The viral video triggered numerous reactions from Nigerians questioning the economics of paying such high rent for a single room in a country where the minimum wage remains contentious.
Key reactions from social media users included:
- Drealhardey: "As a student, where una dey see money?"
- Olah: "Make I dey manage my 200k self contain dey go."
- CRISTYLES W: "No matter wat is inside that apartment, 1.6m yearly for a room self contain in a country that the minimum wage is 70k which is less than 1m yearly is fraud."
- KING_J_incarnate: "Paying 1.6 and you still repaired, that's how una dey spoil all these agents and landlords."
Many commenters expressed shock that a student could afford such expensive accommodation, while others criticized the rental market dynamics in Lagos that enable such pricing.
Broader Context of Lagos Rental Market
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges facing tenants in Nigeria's commercial capital, where rental prices often seem disconnected from average incomes. The student's experience mirrors that of another lady who recently documented her disappointment after being shown a N1.5 million one-bedroom apartment in Lekki that failed to meet her expectations.
The viral TikTok video has sparked important conversations about housing affordability, tenant rights, and the need for better regulation in Nigeria's real estate market, particularly in high-demand urban centers like Lagos.
