Housing Modification and Occupants' Satisfactions in Ikorodu, Lagos: Home Renters’ Perspective

This study investigates the experiences of home renters amid ongoing waves of housing modifications in Ikorodu, Lagos, focusing on the drivers of these changes and their implications for residents’ satisfaction. A convenience sampling method was used to select renters living in modified dwellings. Data were analyzed using Weighted Mean Score (WMS), Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and a stepwise regression model. Four key findings emerged. First, the most frequently altered interior spaces were bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens-modifications often associated with converting blocks of flats into more compact, shared arrangements such as roomy apartments. Second, renters reported varying degrees of dissatisfaction with the modifications, primarily due to the prioritization of economic gains over safety, comfort, and convenience. Third, economic pressures and property/neighborhood characteristics were identified as the primary drivers of these changes, while institutional and political factors played a comparatively minor role, revealing a regulatory gap. Lastly, regression analysis confirmed the strong influence of economic and property-related variables on occupant satisfaction, enhancing the explanatory power of the model. The study highlights the need to prioritize renters’ interests as key stakeholders in the housing modification process. Strengthening institutional frameworks and regulatory oversight is essential to ensure that housing adaptations align economic objectives with resident well-being.