Several young children, all believed to be under 15, were found sleeping on the roadside along the Victoria Island expressway early this morning, drawing attention to the scale of homelessness in Nigeria’s richest state.
The sighting occurred in Victoria Island, one of Lagos’ most expensive districts, where prime real estate sells for hundreds of millions of naira and corporate headquarters dominate the area. Witnesses confirmed the children were sleeping directly beside the expressway without shelter or protection.
The incident comes as Lagos State approved ₦35.47 billion for the construction of residential quarters for lawmakers and an additional ₦20 billion for site development, bringing the total allocation to ₦55.47 billion under the approved 2026 budget.
This allocation represents about 1.25 percent of the state’s total ₦4.44 trillion 2026 budget.
Meanwhile, Lagos faces an estimated housing deficit of over 3 million units, according to government and housing sector data. With a population exceeding 20 million people and rapid urban migration, demand for affordable housing continues to far exceed supply.
Data from previous budgets shows that Lagos allocated about ₦101.6 billion to housing and community amenities in 2025, covering the entire state population, compared to the ₦55.47 billion now dedicated specifically to housing lawmakers.
Nigeria also has an estimated national housing deficit of about 28 million units, with Lagos accounting for one of the largest shares due to urban pressure, high rents, and limited access to affordable homes.
Children living on the streets face severe risks, including road accidents, exploitation, lack of education, and long-term poverty.
According to UNICEF and local social welfare estimates, tens of thousands of children in Lagos live or work on the streets due to economic hardship, family breakdown, and lack of social support systems.
Despite Lagos generating one of the highest internally generated revenues in Africa and serving as Nigeria’s economic capital, visible homelessness remains widespread, particularly among vulnerable populations.
