Across urban centres such as Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, and Lokoja, reports indicate that rent has risen by as much as 150 percent in recent months. Many tenants say they are being priced out of their homes, forcing them to either downgrade to smaller apartments or relocate to distant suburbs. In some cases, families have had to share living spaces with relatives to cut costs.
Landlords cite rising inflation, increasing building material costs, and the depreciation of the naira as reasons for the adjustments. However, housing advocates argue that many property owners are exploiting the economic downturn to impose arbitrary charges on vulnerable tenants.
The report also highlights the absence of strict rent control laws in most states, leaving tenants with little legal protection. While some state governments, such as Lagos, have previously introduced tenancy laws to regulate rent payments, enforcement remains weak.
Experts interviewed on the Nigeria Daily podcast by Daily Trust emphasized that the crisis could worsen if urgent measures are not taken. They called on federal and state authorities to prioritize affordable housing schemes, enforce existing tenancy laws, and provide incentives for developers to invest in low-cost housing.
For now, many Nigerians continue to bear the brunt of the crisis, with rent payments consuming a significant portion of household income. The situation has sparked growing calls for government intervention to prevent what some analysts warn could become a nationwide housing emergency.
