Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have raised alarm over skyrocketing house rents, warning that the trend is forcing many families into displacement and exposing them to insecurity in remote areas.
The complaints were made during interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), where tenants lamented the sharp rise in rental costs across districts like Kubwa, Lugbe, Gwarinpa, and Lokogoma—areas traditionally considered affordable for middle-income earners.
Mr. Moses Danjuma, a civil servant, said he was forced to relocate from Lokogoma to Zuba after his landlord increased his annual rent for a two-bedroom apartment from ₦1.2 million to ₦2 million.
“I had no choice but to move farther away. But now, I spend between ₦4,000 and ₦10,000 daily on transportation. The farther you go for cheaper rent, the more expensive commuting becomes,” he said.
Similarly, Mr. Auwal Idris, another civil servant, complained that his one-bedroom apartment rent in Kubwa rose from ₦500,000 to ₦700,000 without justification. He noted that self-contained apartments now cost between ₦600,000 and ₦800,000, while a two-bedroom flat goes for up to ₦2 million, excluding extra charges like agent and agreement fees, which can add 30% to the total cost.
Some residents revealed they had opted to complete unfinished homes in remote areas to escape high rents, only to suffer armed robbery or kidnapping incidents, as in the case of Mr. Akanni Ogundipe and his friend Michael.
“This is no longer just a housing issue; it’s a humanitarian crisis,” said Mrs. Aniete Umanah, a teacher in Gwarinpa.
The residents called on the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the Federal Government to regulate rent and enact laws similar to the Lagos State Tenancy Bill, which seeks to redefine tenancy agreements and eviction processes.
While landlords and agents blamed inflation and high building costs for the rent surge, tenants accused them of arbitrary increases and exploitative practices. Some landlords also alleged manipulation by agents, who inflate rent for personal gain.
Housing experts warn that without regulatory intervention, rising rents and insecurity will worsen urban poverty in the FCT.
