Nigeria, Aug. 13 -- In today's harsh economic climate, both globally and locally, the average citizen is desperate for a hedge against uncertainty. With inflation biting hard, the naira depreciating daily, and reforms by the current government making life even more strenuous, Nigerians are searching for the safest and most lucrative investment options. Unsurprisingly, real estate continues to stand out as the favoured choice. Land, after all, rarely loses value - or so the thinking goes.

But beneath the glittering promise of high returns lies a silent crisis brewing across cities like Lagos. The real estate boom, which could have been a blessing, is turning into a burden. The unchecked pursuit of profits has transformed what should be su...