Nigeria Faces Severe Homelessness Crisis with 4.5 Million People Projected by 2025
Nigeria is projected to have the highest number of homeless people among African countries by 2025, with an estimated 4.5 million individuals, according to the World Population Review. This figure is based on a total population of 233.34 million. The report highlights significant disparities in homelessness across African nations, considering both absolute numbers and the proportion relative to the total population. In Nigeria, major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Kano are particularly affected. In Lagos, neighborhoods such as Oshodi, Ajegunle, Ketu, Shomolu, and Obalende are home to people living on the streets, under bridges, or in informal settlements. This situation is often driven by unaffordable rents and internal migration from neighboring states in search of better opportunities. Waterfront communities like Makoko also feature stilt houses where families reside without secure tenure or access to basic sanitation. Similar patterns of street homelessness and overcrowded informal housing are observed i...
