Travel/Tourism
Worst Things About Living Alone In Lagos
By Nkem Ndem
Lagos City is highly populated and as such, its inhabitants opt for all sorts of living arrangements from estate settlements to shared flats and hostels. While these accommodation options have their own unique perks, a majority (especially those who are single) tend to prefer arrangements where they get to live alone.
Sure, living alone sounds fab as in Lagos it seems like a privileged opportunity, however, in my short period of living alone, I have noticed several things that provide the summation that living alone in this city may not necessarily be all that it is hyped to be. I have also gone further to point out some of the worst things about living alone in Lagos for the benefit of our readers here at Jumia Travel.
You spend more
Sure, roommates or flatmates can be messy and you really do not want to spend so much time fighting with them or cleaning after them, but then, they come in really handy when it comes to splitting bills and rent. One-bedroom apartments, studio apartments and mini-flats are ridiculously expensive as they start from as much as N400,000 and even get up to N 2,000,000, depending on their location within the city. When you live alone, you have to cater to the rent as well as myriad expenses including electricity, internet and cable -not to mention furniture, toiletries and other shared items by yourself. With a roommate, however, everything becomes affordable as you can split it all.
You get REALLY lonely
While living alone, you cannot expect to have all the space and ‘alone time’ that comes with it without having to suffer bouts of loneliness a times. Basically, you only have your own company and there is no one else to share random thoughts with or laugh with. On the days you suffer a tough day at work; you can’t really share the excruciatingly painful details and laugh with anyone. Yes, you could pick up the phone to talk to someone, but let’s be honest, that’s just not the same. Even worse, sleeping may be difficult as you are always on high alert especially when there are unknown sounds that happen in the middle of the night
It is difficult to manage food
Even if you have a large freezer, you find that you waste more food. There is no one to share large take-outs with or give leftovers to and sometimes, you get tired of eating the same stew for weeks and just have to throw it out. You find that you have to forgo buying all sorts of things when grocery-shopping, especially fresh vegetables as having them stay fresh and consumed within the appropriate period of time before they go to waste is the biggest challenge. You also have to struggle with mastering portion control and learning to stick to cooking ratios for one…not fun!
It is harder to deal with emergencies
Life is unpredictable and sometimes, things do not happen the way you plan them. Even worse, you may find yourself in horrible situations where you realize your survival may depend on the help or even just presence of another being. Imagine a situation where you have an allergy attack or a heart attack in the middle of the night and you are alone with no one to assist you; you may not make it to the next morning. With a roommate or flatmate, however, you have someone readily available to raise alarm when needed and a caregiver for times when you are just too sick to cater for yourself.
Nkem Ndem is a PR Associate at Jumia Travel.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced plans to introduce V-Pass, a biometric facial recognition system designed to make passenger processing faster, safer and more seamless across its domestic airports.
According to FAAN, the new technology will allow passengers to verify their identities through facial recognition after a one-time enrolment, reducing reliance on physical identification documents and shortening queues through automated electronic gates.
The authority said the system is expected to enhance airport security while improving the overall travel experience for domestic passengers.
FAAN added that V-Pass has been developed with data privacy at its core and is compliant with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
The agency described the initiative as part of its commitment to delivering smarter, technology-driven airport services and said nationwide sensitisation and rollout updates would be announced in due course.
Airports in countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates already deploy facial recognition technology for processes such as check-in, security screening, immigration and boarding, so the move also aligns Nigeria’s aviation sector with a growing global trend towards contactless travel.
These systems have been adopted to improve operational efficiency, strengthen security and enhance the overall passenger experience.
For FAAN, the deployment of V-Pass forms part of its broader digital transformation agenda aimed at modernising airport operations and accommodating rising passenger traffic.
Experts say that beyond improving convenience, the authority expects the biometric platform to strengthen identity verification, reduce the risk of impersonation and support more efficient airport security, while maintaining compliance with data protection.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
About 14.12 per cent stake in Ikeja Hotel Plc has been acquired by Honeywell Group Limited, a notice on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited has revealed.
Honeywell Group took up the part of the hospitality firm through one of its affiliates known as HGL Real Estate Limited.
Ikeja Hotel, in the disclosure filed with the NGX on July 2, 2026, said the stake comprised 305,323,525 units of its equities.
“Ikeja Hotel hereby notifies the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the general public that it has received notification from HGL Real Estate Limited, an affiliate of Honeywell Group Limited, that it has acquired 305,323,525 units of Ikeja Hotel Plc’s shares, representing 14.12 per cent shareholding in the company,” the notice stated.
Ikeja Hotel is one of Nigeria’s leading hospitality investment and hotel management companies with premium hospitality assets.
It operates two leading hospitality organisations in Lagos, the Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Balmoral Convention Centre.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
About 10 hospitality establishments, including hotels and restaurants, were sealed on Wednesday by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
The affected businesses are located in different locations in the Alimosho Local Government Area of the metropolis, Business Post learned from a statement from the agency.
It was stated that they were sealed by LASEPA for persistent violations of environmental regulations despite repeated warnings, abatement notices, and several opportunities to comply with the agency’s directives.
According to the notice, the enforcement exercise was carried out in line with the directives of the Lagos State government to ensure strict compliance with environmental laws and to safeguard public health.
The affected facilities were said to have breached various environmental regulations, including noise pollution, air pollution, unlawful discharge of untreated effluent, obstruction of official duties, among others.
LASEPA closed the premises of Granduer Meridian at Obasa Akiniyi Street, Oluwaga, Ipaja for non-compliance with the agency’s directives; Lasola (Spazio Bar), located on Ipaja Road, Fatolu Bus Stop, Ipaja, was sealed for noise pollution and non-compliance with directives; Millennium Restaurant, located at Gate Bus Stop, Ipaja, Ayobo, was shut down for non-compliance with directives; O2 Exquisite Suites & Tower on Jimoh Akinremi Street, Jimoh Bus Stop, Akowonjo, was sealed for non-compliance with directives; and Chirozz Hotel & Suites, located on Samuel Street, Akowonjo, by Vulcanizer Bus Stop, Egbeda, was closed for noise pollution and non-compliance with directives.
In addition, House 7 Hotel, located at Remi Akande Street, Egbeda, was sealed for non-compliance with LASEPA’s directives; House 48 on Isiba Oluwo Street, Egbeda, was sealed for non-compliance with directives; Exclusive Hotel, located at Ishan Kimishe, Akesan Bus Stop, was shut down by non-compliance with directives; Sabola Ventures Limited, Iocated at Km 11, LASU–Isheri Road, Igando, was shut down for operating without evidence of an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), and discharging untreated effluent into public drains; and City Int’l Motel, located at Chief Olu-Adegbite Street, off Oladun Street, Council Bus Stop, Idimu, was sealed for non-compliance with directives.
