Design the Co-Living Model That Makes Affordable Housing Work for Urban Nigerian Youth

Housing cost as a share of income for young workers in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt is among the highest in the world. The informal response — multiple unrelated adults sharing tiny flats without formal agreements — is universal but produces poor living standards, no legal protection, and constant social friction. Formalised co-living models that provide private sleeping space, shared amenities, internet, and security at genuinely affordable prices have transformed urban housing in several emerging markets. Nigeria has none that work at scale. Your challenge is to design a co-living housing model for Lagos or Abuja that provides private sleeping space, shared amenities, and reliable utilities for young workers and graduates earning ₦100,000 to ₦250,000 per month. Total monthly cost must be below ₦80,000 per resident, and the model must be financially viable for the operator without government subsidy. Submit a business model design document (max 12 pages) including: the unit design and density economics, amenity specification, pricing model, utility management, tenant agreement and conflict resolution, financing for property acquisition, and a plan to open three properties housing 300 residents within 24 months. Judging criteria: 35% financial model and affordability at ₦80,000 target, 30% unit design and density economics, 20% utility and amenity management, 15% scale plan.