A studio shortlet in Lagos suits one person or a couple on a short trip who will be out most of the day. You get a private, furnished room with a bed, a small kitchen and your own bathroom, usually for less than a 1-bedroom in the same area. It is less suited to families, groups or long stays where you need space to spread out.
This guide helps you decide whether a studio is right for your trip, what to check before you book, and where to look in Lagos.
What a studio shortlet is
A studio is a one-room home. The bed, the sitting area and the kitchen share one space, and the bathroom is separate and private. Everything you need is a few steps away.
In Nigeria you will also see the words “self-contain” and “mini flat”. They are close cousins:
| Name | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Studio | One room for sleeping, sitting and cooking, plus a private bathroom. Often newer or better finished. |
| Self-contain | One room with its own bathroom and kitchen or kitchenette. Similar layout to a studio. |
| Mini flat (1-bedroom) | A separate bedroom and a separate sitting room, plus a kitchen and bathroom. |
Hosts use these words in different ways, so trust the photos and the description more than the title. For more on the long-let version, see our guide to the studio flat in Nigeria.
Who it suits
A studio is a good fit when you mainly need somewhere clean, safe and private to sleep. For example:
- Solo work trips. You are at meetings all day and back in the evening to rest.
- Couples on a short break. A weekend in Lagos for food, the beach or a concert.
- Interviews and exams. A night or two close to the venue, so you arrive fresh.
- Airport stopovers. A night near the airport before or after a flight.
- Budget-conscious trips. You want your own space without paying for rooms you will not use.
It is a weaker fit when:
- you are travelling with children or more than one other adult;
- one person needs to work or take calls while the other sleeps;
- you are staying for weeks and will cook, work and relax at home;
- you are hosting visitors during your stay.
In those cases, a 1-bedroom or larger gives you a door to close. Our guide to which size of shortlet you need helps you choose.
What to check before you book
A small home has no room to hide problems. Ask about these before you pay:
- The whole room. Ask for a photo that shows the full room from the door. Close-ups can make a small space look bigger.
- The bed. Is it a double or bigger? Is it a proper bed or a sofa bed?
- The kitchen. Is there a cooker or just a microwave? A fridge? A kettle, pots and plates?
- The bathroom. Is there hot water, and does the water run all day?
- Power. Is there backup power, and does it run the air conditioning at night?
- Air. One room gets hot and stuffy quickly. Check for air conditioning and a window that opens.
- Noise. Does the room face a busy road, a bar or an event centre? A room at the back is usually quieter.
- Wi-Fi. If you will work from the room, ask for the speed and whether it runs on backup power.
- Storage. Is there a wardrobe or somewhere to keep your case off the floor?
- The guest limit. Check how many guests the host allows.
Also check the building: security at the gate, a safe way in at night, and parking if you drive. Our shortlet safety tips have a full checklist.
A message you can send the host
Copy this, change the details, and send it before you book. A good host answers every point.
“Hello, I am looking at your studio for [dates], for [one person / two people]. Could you tell me: the size of the bed; whether the kitchen has a cooker and a fridge; how many hours of backup power there are, and whether it runs the air conditioning at night; whether the room faces the road; and how I get in if I arrive after dark? Thank you.”
Studio or serviced apartment?
Some small shortlets sit inside serviced buildings, with cleaning, security and backup power run by the building. A serviced studio usually costs more than a plain one, but it can be worth it for a work trip, when you want everything handled. See serviced apartments in Lagos and our guide to what a serviced apartment is.
Price vs a 1-bedroom
We do not quote prices here, because they change by area, season and home. But a few rules of thumb help you compare.
- Same building, smaller price. In one building or estate, a studio usually costs less per night than a 1-bedroom.
- Area beats size. A studio in a busy, sought-after area can cost more than a 1-bedroom somewhere quieter.
- Look at the full bill. A cleaning fee is often charged once per stay. On a one-night stay it can close the gap between a studio and a 1-bedroom.
- Count the nights. Some hosts give a discount for a week or more. A larger home with a good weekly discount can be close in price on a long stay.
- Count the people. Two friends sharing a 1-bedroom may pay less each than one person in a studio. Work out the price per person.
- Remember the deposit. A caution deposit is refundable, but you still need the money up front.
The easiest way to compare is side by side. Look at 1-bedroom shortlets in Lekki and the smallest homes on the Lekki shortlet page for the same dates.
On Cabans, homes that take online bookings show the full price once you pick your dates: the nights, any discount, the cleaning fee and the caution deposit, then the total. The price does not change with the number of guests. You pay securely online through Paystack. Paystack’s processing fee is added and shown before you pay, and it is not refunded. See how to check dates and the price for a stay, or browse cheap shortlets in Lagos.
Where to look in Lagos
Choose the area first, then the home. Being close to where you need to be matters more than the size of the room.
- Lekki and Lekki Phase 1: many newer blocks of small flats, close to restaurants and the beach.
- Victoria Island: central for business, with small serviced flats in larger buildings.
- Yaba: the tech hub, near the University of Lagos. Good for work visits, interviews and exams.
- Ikeja: close to the airport and many Mainland offices. Handy for stopovers.
- Surulere: central on the Mainland, with good links to the Island.
Not sure which side of Lagos to stay on? Read Lagos Island or Mainland: where to book a shortlet.
Can a studio work for a longer stay?
Yes, for one person who is out most days. Some people stay in a studio for a few weeks during a work project or while they look for a flat. The key is a proper kitchen, a desk or table, a wardrobe and steady power. Ask about a discount for a week or a month, and about how often cleaning is included. If you will be working from the room all day, a 1-bedroom is often worth the extra.
Making a small space work
- Pack light. A hard case takes a lot of floor space in one room.
- Unpack into the wardrobe on day one, so the room stays tidy.
- Keep the kitchen area clean. In one room, cooking smells travel.
- Ask the host for a fan or an extra pillow if you need one. Small comforts matter more in a small room.
Find your studio
Find a shortlet you can book and look at the smallest homes in your area, or start with shortlets in Yaba and Ikeja. Own a small flat that sits empty between tenants? List your short let and let it to guests who want exactly that.
Frequently asked questions
What is a studio shortlet?
A studio shortlet is a furnished one-room home you rent by the night. The bed, sitting area and kitchen share one room, and there is a private bathroom. It is the smallest kind of self-contained shortlet.
Is a studio the same as a self-contain?
They are close. In Nigeria, “self-contain” usually means a single room with its own bathroom and kitchen. Homes listed as studios are often newer or better finished, but the layout is similar. Check the photos and the size, not just the name.
Who is a studio shortlet best for?
One person, or a couple, on a short trip: a work visit, an interview, an exam, a weekend away or a stopover near the airport. It suits people who will be out most of the day.
Is a studio cheaper than a 1-bedroom shortlet?
In the same building or area, usually yes. But a studio in a busy, expensive area can cost more than a 1-bedroom somewhere quieter. Compare the full price for your dates, including any cleaning fee and caution deposit.
Where can I find a studio shortlet in Lagos?
Lekki, Lekki Phase 1, Victoria Island, Yaba, Ikeja and Surulere all have small shortlets. Start with the area you need to be in each day, then look at the smallest homes there.
Can two people share a studio shortlet?
Yes, if the host allows two guests and the bed is big enough. Check the guest limit and the bed size before you book. For two friends who want separate beds, a 1-bedroom or 2-bedroom may suit better.
Related guides
Which size shortlet do you need? · Studio flat in Nigeria · Lagos Island or Mainland? · How much is a shortlet in Lagos? · Best areas for a shortlet in Lagos
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