The National Union of Tenants of Nigeria (NUTN) has appealed to Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to urgently intervene in the worsening housing crisis affecting residents of Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas.
The appeal was contained in a letter signed by the union’s Executive Secretary, Mr. Ceaser Enwefah, and addressed to the governor in Port Harcourt.
According to the union, the housing situation in the two local government areas has deteriorated into a full-scale crisis, impacting more than 1.5 million residents and placing significant financial strain on families.
Rising Rents Deepen Housing Affordability Challenges
Enwefah stated that approximately 80 per cent of residents, including civil servants, company employees, self-employed individuals and retirees, now spend a substantial portion of their income on rent.
He noted that civil servants earning the national minimum wage of ₦70,000 per month, equivalent to ₦840,000 annually, are paying as much as ₦900,000 per year for self-contained apartments.
According to him, rental prices across the state have increased sharply in recent years.
“Rents for double-room apartments have risen from ₦120,000 to ₦520,000 annually, while one-bedroom flats that previously rented for ₦300,000 now cost as much as ₦1.5 million per year,” he said.
Housing Deficit Blamed for Soaring Rent
The union attributed the situation to an acute housing deficit allegedly worsened by the indiscriminate approval of building plan amendments and the conversion of residential properties into commercial facilities.
Enwefah also alleged that some landlords and unregistered house agents were exploiting the shortage by imposing excessive rent increases on tenants.
He warned that the trend has significantly reduced housing affordability and placed many households under severe economic pressure.
NUTN Calls for Immediate Government Intervention
To address the crisis, the union called on the Rivers State Government to suspend further conversion of residential buildings to non-residential uses within the affected areas.
The organisation also urged Governor Fubara to consider placing a temporary halt on rent increases pending the introduction of new housing policy measures.
“We urge Governor Fubara to suspend rent increases pending the introduction of new policy directives,” Enwefah stated.
The union further advocated the appointment of a substantive or supervisory commissioner to oversee the Ministry of Housing and coordinate efforts aimed at addressing the housing challenges facing residents.
According to Enwefah, previous efforts to draw the attention of relevant authorities to the issue through the ministry had not produced meaningful results.
Affordable Housing Key to Economic Stability
The NUTN executive secretary stressed that access to affordable housing remains a fundamental component of social and economic development.
He referenced the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy contained in Nigeria’s Constitution, which emphasise the importance of decent living conditions for citizens.
Enwefah also cited international housing standards, noting that housing costs should remain affordable and proportionate to residents’ incomes.
He warned that failure to address the housing crisis could worsen poverty levels, increase financial hardship and trigger social unrest.
“Nigerians are sacrificing virtually all their earnings to pay rent, leaving many families in severe economic hardship,” he said.
The union called on the Rivers State Government to adopt its recommendations as part of a broader strategy to improve housing affordability, increase housing supply and protect tenants from excessive rent burdens.
Stakeholders have continued to express concern over rising rental costs across major Nigerian cities, with housing affordability emerging as one of the most pressing urban development challenges facing millions of residents.
