Rising house rents in the Federal Capital Territory are putting increasing pressure on household incomes, with some residents now spending a substantial portion of their annual earnings on accommodation and cutting back on food, education, transportation and other essential expenses.
A News Agency of Nigeria study cited by The Whistler found that the rising cost of accommodation has forced many Abuja households to reduce their standard of living as rent increases continue to outpace incomes.
The report comes as the National Bureau of Statistics recorded a sharp increase in rent inflation, with the rate rising to 33.8 per cent in July 2026 from 14.79 per cent in June.
Residents interviewed across different parts of the FCT described significant increases in annual rents, with some saying the increases had affected their businesses, savings and ability to meet other household obligations.
Abuja residents face steep rent increases
Olusegun Daniels, a businessman living in Karu, said the annual rent for his two-bedroom bungalow increased from N1.5 million to N3.5 million.
He said the more than 100 per cent increase had affected his business, which was already experiencing weak turnover.
Daniels also said the rent for his business premises had risen from N300,000 to N450,000, adding to the financial pressure on his household and business.
Another resident, Emeka Okafor, who lives in Wuse, said the rent for his one-bedroom apartment increased from N1 million to N1.8 million before rising further to N2 million.
Although the higher rent had become difficult to afford, Okafor said he had continued living in the area because of its proximity to his business.
He said the combination of weak business activity and rising rents had left him and others struggling to keep up with their financial obligations.
Families cut back on household needs
Evelyn Bode, a civil servant living in Kubwa, said a two-bedroom apartment that previously rented for between N600,000 and N800,000 was now going for between N1.5 million and N2 million a year, depending on the location and condition of the building.
The rising rent has forced her family to make changes to its household spending.
Bode said she had moved her children to cheaper schools and reduced spending on food as the cost of maintaining the household became increasingly difficult.
She said the pressure had reached a point where meeting basic needs had become a challenge.
Another civil servant, Livinus Anya, who lives in Nyanya, said his annual rent increased from N600,000 in February 2025 to N1.6 million in December 2025.
Anya said he previously made monthly contributions and savings to raise money for his annual rent, but the new rent was beyond what his savings could comfortably cover.
He said the pressure had also affected his ability to use his vehicle because he could no longer afford to combine fuel costs with rent, school fees and feeding expenses.
According to him, a two-bedroom apartment in a new building in the area now rents for between N2 million and N2.5 million annually.
Two-year rent demands add to pressure
Sani Musa, a teacher living in Lugbe, said the demand for two years’ rent upfront by some landlords was making it increasingly difficult for low-income earners to secure accommodation.
Musa linked the increase in rents to several factors, including the housing deficit, rural-to-urban migration and the rising cost of building materials.
He called for government intervention and regulations to address sharp increases in rent and prevent what he described as unreasonable hikes by landlords.
He also argued that any regulation introduced to address the problem would need to be properly enforced.
Workers struggle to keep pace with housing costs
Abigail Abidolu, a civil servant living in Apo Resettlement, said her one-bedroom apartment had increased from N500,000 to N1.2 million.
She said the increase in rent had come at a time when salaries had not increased substantially.
According to her, some additional income opportunities and training-related benefits previously available at her workplace had also been cancelled, further reducing her family’s financial flexibility.
The experiences of the residents interviewed reflect the broader challenge created when housing costs rise faster than household incomes.
For many workers, annual rent payments are not the only housing-related expenses. Agency fees, legal charges, service charges and other costs can increase the amount required before a tenant can move into a property.
Housing affordability remains a major challenge
The rising rents are occurring alongside broader pressures on household budgets.
Residents are also dealing with higher costs for food, transportation, healthcare, education and other necessities, leaving less disposable income for housing.
The NBS rent-inflation figure cited in the report highlights the scale of the pressure facing tenants across the country, while the individual experiences in Abuja show how the increase is affecting households at different income levels.
The continued increase in rent also raises concerns about housing affordability in the FCT, particularly for low- and middle-income workers who depend largely on fixed salaries.
As rents rise, households may be forced to move farther away from employment centres, reduce the quality or size of their accommodation, share housing with others or divert money meant for other household needs towards rent.
Calls for affordable housing and rent regulation
Residents interviewed in the study called for stronger government intervention to expand access to affordable housing and address rising rental costs.
Anya urged governments at different levels to provide low-cost housing for workers, while Musa called for measures that would regulate rent increases.
The residents also pointed to the need for more affordable housing units to reduce pressure on the existing rental market.
The housing challenge in Abuja is further complicated by population growth, demand for accommodation around employment centres and the cost of developing new housing.
As construction costs remain high and demand for housing continues, residents face the challenge of finding accommodation they can afford without sacrificing other essential household needs.
For many Abuja households, the rising cost of rent has therefore become more than a housing issue. It is increasingly affecting how families allocate their income across food, education, transport, healthcare and other basic needs.
