₦airaland Forum

In what feels like a twist no one saw coming, Lagos residents are trading their Lekki dream homes for the ‘humble’ streets of Surulere, Ogudu, and Gbagada. Yes, you read that right — the great reverse migration is on. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
Wait, People Are Leaving the Island?

For decades, moving to the Island was a sign you had finally “made it.” From Victoria Island’s posh lounges to Lekki’s estate-filled streets, it was the Lagos fantasy. But in 2025, that dream is crashing faster than Lagos traffic on Third Mainland Bridge.

And now? Even influencers are packing their ring lights and heading back to the Mainland.
Flooding, Rent Hikes & Crumbling Roads: The Island Crisis

Let’s talk hard facts:

Lekki Phase 1 rent has gone up by 35% in the last year alone, according to PropertyPro.ng.

Flooding is now an annual tradition. In July 2025, over 700 homes were damaged due to overflowing canals in Lekki.

Infrastructure decay is no joke. A resident told Eyes of Lagos, “I pay ₦6 million annually, but I need a canoe just to reach my gate during rainy season.”

Why the Mainland Suddenly Looks Like Paradise

Mainland locations like Surulere, Ogudu GRA, and Gbagada are now top real estate picks.

Better drainage systems in some areas.

More accessible rent prices: Gbagada mini flats go for ₦600k to ₦1.2M annually.

Closer to CBDs like Yaba and Ikeja.

Quieter lifestyle (Yes, Gbagada Twitter is still loud, but at least the roads work.)

One property developer, Mr. Demola Adebayo, said:

“We’re seeing 40% more inquiries for rentals on the Mainland compared to the Island. People want stability, not a fancy flooded duplex.”

Social Media Is Already Buzzing

X Reactions:

“Island rent be like Dubai, but you still need boat to enter your compound 😂 #LekkiWahala” — @theRealSeyi

“Moved back to Surulere and I haven’t missed the Island once. Peace of mind > status.” — @mo_lagos

“Lekki is the new Ajegunle with Banana Island rent. Good luck to you guys.” — @madamenoough

Who’s Leading This Move?

Young professionals who are done with traffic and blackouts.

Newly married couples seeking space and better security.

Content creators choosing affordability over aesthetics (yes, that IG skit can happen in Shomolu too).

Conclusion: The Lekki Dream Is Now A Nightmare

In 2025, the Island-to-Mainland migration isn’t just real — it’s booming. People are waking up to the hard truth: lifestyle over labels.

And while you’re paying ₦8M for rent and ₦200K monthly for diesel in Lekki, someone in Ogudu is sipping cold Zobo in a duplex for half the price — with zero flooding.

https://eyesoflagos.com/why-everyone-is-moving-from-the-island-to-the-mainland-in-2025-the-truth-will-shock-you/


cc: Mynd44 , Nlfpmod , Seun

Have you spent 40k a month just to but tanker water before ? This is apart from your drinking water because you just can't drill an ordinary borehole in places like Lekki without installing very expensive treatment plants. Anyways, I blame the Lagos state government for the mess such a highbrow axis is going through and it will only get worse

There are too many fake life in Lekki. Some things are just ridiculously expensive .

When the career people was dominating the area in the past, things wasn't this expensive

Those parts of Lagos can actually become Venice.
Venice in Italy was built on water

FatherCHRISTMAS:
Those parts of Lagos can actually become Venice.
Venice in Italy was built on water

So more water should be allowed in so we can create Nigerias Venice in Lekki
Wonderful

Well, I still prepare starting on the island... It all depends on your location on the island.

I have friends who live on the mainland who can never relocate to the island no matter what it offers.... While some of us, we prefer to stay on the island.

Yes, things are crazily expensive over here but it is what it is....

#Choice & #Preference

You need to buy water at least 10k per week, depending on the size of your family, or your teeth and clothes will be BROWN.
Heavy traffic both night and day, especially from Lekki phase one. Maruwa lights don't function, high influx of people using one road and the roads full of spots. If a vehicle breaks down, the traffic will be out of this world. Floods that destroy lives and properties, especially Ologolo, Agungi, Kushena, Chevy View, Freedom way. Government seems to neglect the road and infrastructure. Inner roads are worse than anything, yet the Obas and Balees will want to force voting for APC.

Crazy place to live in.
Apart from the high class girls that walk around with STIs and the quit but Crazy neighbourhood.
Nothing entice me about that place.
You can only enjoy island from November to April, after that back to the mainland.
That's the beauty of having houses in both places.
Flex island in dry season, enjoy mainland in wet season 😎.
Above all, there's no place sweeter than abuja and jos.
Most especially,that jos! Cold, cheap,safe places to hangout, good international schools,good roads, good parks and zoo for weekend Getaway, quite streets in rayfield, new abuja,du,gura top,federal low-cost,dong etc,but the beauty of the women in jos is breath taken. Well cultured,calm, respectful, romantic and very nice.
Abuja is also very sweet,wild,a bit expensive but the traffic congestion is an issue for me.

dalongjnr:
Crazy place to live on.
Apart from the high class girls that walk around with STIs,quit but Crazy neighbourhood.
Nothing entice me about that place.
You can only enjoy island from November to April, after that back to the mainland.
That's the beauty of having houses in both places.
Flex island in dry season, enjoy mainland in wet season 😎.
Above all, there's no place sweeter than abuja and jos.
Most especially,that jos! Cold, cheap,safe places to hangout, good international schools,good roads, good parks and zoo for weekend Getaway, quite streets in rayfield, new abuja,du gura top,federal low-cost dong etc,but the beauty of the woman in jos is breath taken. Well cultured,calm, respectful, romantic and very nice.
Abuja is also very sweet,wild,a bit expensive but the traffic congestion is an issue for me.

No money in Jos...you must bring your money with you to enjoy Jos. Those areas you mentioned are expensive.

dalongjnr:
Crazy place to live on.
Apart from the high class girls that walk around with STIs,quit but Crazy neighbourhood.
Nothing entice me about that place.
You can only enjoy island from November to April, after that back to the mainland.
That's the beauty of having houses in both places.
Flex island in dry season, enjoy mainland in wet season 😎.
Above all, there's no place sweeter than abuja and jos.
Most especially,that jos! Cold, cheap,safe places to hangout, good international schools,good roads, good parks and zoo for weekend Getaway, quite streets in rayfield, new abuja,du gura top,federal low-cost dong etc,but the beauty of the woman in jos is breath taken. Well cultured,calm, respectful, romantic and very nice.
Abuja is also very sweet,wild,a bit expensive but the traffic congestion is an issue for me.

Nothing dey Abuja..

But Jos is great, you’re right..

Must you live in Lagos?
Move to Ogun or Ondo

What's this one saying again at this age.

dalongjnr:
Crazy place to live on.
Apart from the high class girls that walk around with STIs,quit but Crazy neighbourhood.
Nothing entice me about that place.
You can only enjoy island from November to April, after that back to the mainland.
That's the beauty of having houses in both places.
Flex island in dry season, enjoy mainland in wet season 😎.
Above all, there's no place sweeter than abuja and jos.
Most especially,that jos! Cold, cheap,safe places to hangout, good international schools,good roads, good parks and zoo for weekend Getaway, quite streets in rayfield, new abuja,du gura top,federal low-cost dong etc,but the beauty of the woman in jos is breath taken. Well cultured,calm, respectful, romantic and very nice.
Abuja is also very sweet,wild,a bit expensive but the traffic congestion is an issue for me.

labake1:
Must you live in Lagos?
Move to Ogun or Ondo

Akure is the new Lagos. Lol

liveyourlife007:
Akure is the new Lagos. Lol

Are you sure, because I'm considering of relocating to Ondo state.. I just like the state, how is electricity and cost of living in that state if you have any clue?

dalongjnr:
Crazy place to live on.
Apart from the high class girls that walk around with STIs,quit but Crazy neighbourhood.
Nothing entice me about that place.
You can only enjoy island from November to April, after that back to the mainland.
That's the beauty of having houses in both places.
Flex island in dry season, enjoy mainland in wet season 😎.
Above all, there's no place sweeter than abuja and jos.
Most especially,that jos! Cold, cheap,safe places to hangout, good international schools,good roads, good parks and zoo for weekend Getaway, quite streets in rayfield, new abuja,du gura top,federal low-cost dong etc,but the beauty of the woman in jos is breath taken. Well cultured,calm, respectful, romantic and very nice.
Abuja is also very sweet,wild,a bit expensive but the traffic congestion is an issue for me.

You seem to know Jos very well.
Maybe i should follow you there to buy a property.
I like chilled life, good food secure neighborhood. Money is not a problem

PulaPower:
Nothing dey Abuja..

But Jos is great, you’re right..

many of my family members wasted there year's in Abuja without any achievement

owobokiri:
So more water should be allowed in so we can create Nigerias Venice in Lekki
Wonderful

If you can imagine it, it can exsist

Rent and flooding go Kee person 🤦

Tinubu policies has sent people back to their village

They don't even have good water!
The boreholes were pumping out muddy water,I bought water all through my stay there,we were buying water or using pure water to bath.


Asides vibes and Inshallah,I'd pick Surulere,Ago,Magodo,Bucknor and some other parts of mainland over Island.

Hehehe! Ettu ndi Lagos Island( Ikoyi, VI, Lekki - Ajah ) A case of the rich also crying now? Living in luxury is now a plague?

They always living with air of invincibility but now the hunters that rub it on the poor has become the hunted? Not all that glitters is always gold. Nature has a way of help the poor the balance the equation.

Akano5:
Are you sure, because I'm considering of relocating to Ondo state.. I just like the state, how is electricity and cost of living in that state if you have any clue?

Ondo state is not bad at all.
For Electricity I will give 70%
For Accomodation, don't rent or buy through agents. Go straight to Landlords.

Cost of food and transportation is not on the high side as well.

But choose to stay in conducive environments such as Alagbaka.

Akure babes make sense too.
Especially FUTA girls and the ones from the the nursing school along Shoprite road.

If you like to enjoy your life low-key, without noise. Akure is your sure bet.

LASG only takes from its residents they giv nothing back... this reality is most apparent on the Lekki axis where high investment in urban infrastructure is needed to combat the effects of ocean surge, floods and developmental irresponsibility/chaos.

Lekki has quietly devolved into an animalistic environment, unfit for humans who appreciate quality lifestyle

Racoon:
Hehehe! Ettu ndi Lagos Island( Ikoyi, VI, Lekki - Ajah ) A case of the rich also crying now? Living in luxury is now a plague?

They always living with air of invincibility but now the hunters that rub it on the poor has become the hunted? Not all that glitters is always gold. Nature has a way of help the poor the balance the equation.

Whatever you’re sniffing, you need to stop it..

How does flooding helps the poor? Whenever flooding happens in USA or China, how does it helps the poor in USA or China?

The California disaster that happened recently, how has it help the poor people in California?

liveyourlife007:
Ondo state is not bad at all.
For Electricity I will give 70%
For Accomodation, don't rent or buy through agents. Go straight to Landlords.

Cost of food and transportation is not on the high side as well.

But choose to stay in conducive environments such as Alagbaka.

Akure babes make sense too.
Especially FUTA girls and the ones from the the nursing school along Shoprite road.

If you like to enjoy your life low-key, without noise. Akure is your sure bet.

Thank you for your response. I really appreciate💥💖

Akano5:
Thank you for your response. I really appreciate💥💖

You're welcome