Aging Alone in Lagos: The Social Impact of Japa — and a Growing Real Estate Opportunity
What We’re Seeing
Loneliness — especially amongst the elderly — may be quietly becoming one of Lagos’ most pressing social challenges. Across gated estates from Lekki to Ikeja, many retired parents now live behind high gates with private security, tucked into cul-de-sacs where neighbours rarely interact. Domestic staff rotate frequently, relatives live abroad and days can pass without meaningful human contact.
This is notable, especially now that loneliness is classed as a public health risk, with social isolation linked to a 50% increase in dementia risk; a 32% increase in stroke risk and up to a 26% increase in premature mortality. Additionally, being socially disconnected has been described as having a similar effect on mortality as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
In Nigeria, where formal eldercare systems remain underdeveloped, risks may compound further.
Only after this silence settles do we trace some of it back to a familiar word: japa — the wave of emigration accelerating over the last decade. It has pulled hundreds of thousands of working-age, continent-based Nigerians to the UK, Canada, the US, Australia and elsewhere, draining not only talent, but proximity and weakening the social fabric that once held communities together.
There’s also an interesting cultural nuance. Although some elderly Nigerians japada — returning after years abroad — some find that the community networks they left decades ago no longer exist. Returning can feel isolating, especially to states outside Lagos, where systems and norms may be quite different from their previous life and not always aligned with the visiting patterns of family and friends.
Historically, the elderly relied on extended family compounds, religious community support and neighbours who instinctively “checked in.” Today, with loved ones in London, Toronto or New York — and given the rapid urbanisation of Lagos — even within the same estate, it is increasingly possible for people to not know the person living next door. For many, phone calls and occasional holiday visits serve as their primary source of connection.
Why This Matters for Real Estate Investors
Nigerians living in the diaspora — unable to provide daily care from abroad — may be increasingly seeking professionally supported environments for their parents living in Nigeria. Similarly, many elderly residents themselves are now actively looking for places to live that provide: like-minded community, nearby wellness and recreation infrastructure, on-site medical support, age-conscious home layouts, access to nature, walkable paths, reliable service provision and structured social interaction.
Forward-thinking investors may therefore be rethinking asset allocation and gaining first-mover advantage by investing in well-managed retirement communities.
Opportunity Spotlight — Ulé: A Retirement Community Centred Around Wellness, Connectivity and Nature
Positioned within the Lakowe Lakes Golf & Country Estate, a destination where some of the country’s most forward-thinking investors own country homes, and where some of the country’s most senior professionals go to unwind, an exclusive, purpose-built retirement development — Ulé — is responding directly to this macro shift.
Offering a mix of 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom apartments, each unit features age-appropriate floor plans and fittings, and residents would also have access to 24/7 nursing support, a pharmacy and the future Lakowe urgent care centre.
The retirement community seeks to offer mature residents a comfortable and secure place to enjoy life at a slower pace — surrounded by greenery and fresh air. It’s ideal for those who prefer a wellness-focused social environment without being too far from the city’s core.
Residents will benefit from serene lakes, walking paths and access to resort-style amenities, including an on-site hotel and guest lodges, swimming pools, a gymnasium, boating facilities, restaurants and tennis courts.
The Bottom Line
Japa and japada are reshaping family geographies. As elders navigate Lagos, professionalised senior living in Lagos may not only become a social good, but also a resilient investment thesis.
About Rootstone Homes
Rootstone Homes is a British–Nigerian real estate agency and consultancy focused on helping the Nigerian diaspora invest in Lagos’ real estate with trust, professionalism and greater peace of mind. Accredited by the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA), we bridge the gap between international buyers and Lagos’ rewarding yet intricate property landscape — mitigating risk and enabling sound, well-informed acquisition decisions.
About the Author
Naomi Chika is the Founder of Rootstone Homes, bringing together a blend of real estate, investment and legal expertise with a deep understanding of the Nigerian diaspora experience. Formerly a private equity and principal investing consultant at McKinsey & Company in London, she once solo across West Africa for five months — travelling by road from Senegal to Nigeria — to deepen her knowledge of the region.
