Major infrastructure projects across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are driving a sharp increase in residential and commercial rents as improved road networks and urban renewal initiatives make more neighbourhoods attractive to homebuyers, tenants, and property investors.

Real estate experts say ongoing investments in roads, bridges, drainage systems, and other public infrastructure have significantly increased the desirability of communities that were previously less developed. As accessibility improves, demand for residential and commercial properties has risen, resulting in higher rental prices in many parts of Abuja.

Areas such as Lokogoma, Lugbe, Kuje, Gwarinpa, Katampe, Jahi, Guzape, and Wuye have experienced noticeable increases in property values and rental rates, largely due to improved connectivity and government infrastructure projects. Developers and investors are also expanding housing projects into emerging districts where new roads have opened up opportunities for residential and commercial growth.

Property consultants noted that infrastructure remains one of the strongest drivers of real estate appreciation. They explained that improved transportation networks reduce commuting time, attract businesses, and encourage private investment, all of which contribute to rising demand for housing.

While landlords and property investors have benefited from higher property values, many tenants are facing increasing financial pressure as rental costs continue to rise. Prospective renters say finding affordable accommodation has become more difficult, particularly in districts that have recently witnessed significant infrastructure upgrades.

Industry stakeholders believe the trend reflects the close relationship between infrastructure investment and the real estate market. They argue that while improved public infrastructure stimulates economic growth and expands investment opportunities, governments must also prioritise affordable housing initiatives to ensure low- and middle-income earners are not priced out of the market.

Housing experts further recommend increasing public-private partnerships in affordable housing development, expanding access to housing finance, and opening up new growth corridors through strategic infrastructure investments. They say such measures would help balance rising property values with the growing demand for affordable homes across the Federal Capital Territory.

The post Abuja Property Market Sees Rent Surge Amid Infrastructure Expansion appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

A recent market survey shows that a 50-kilogramme bag of cement now sells for between ₦9,500 and ₦12,000 in many areas. Earlier in March 2025, the price had dropped to ₦7,800 after peaking at ₦15,000 in February 2024.

The continuous rise in cement prices has led to higher building costs and house rents across Nigeria. Many citizens are struggling to afford decent housing.

Speaking on the issue, real estate stakeholder Benjamin Udoka criticized the price hike. “It is painful that Dangote did not replicate his fuel price reduction strategy in cement. In some parts of Abuja, cement costs as much as ₦11,000 per bag. The government must act to control prices and reduce the burden on Nigerians,” Udoka said.

Maryam Abubakar, a resident of Dawaki, also called for immediate action to address the cement price increase in Nigeria.

Aliyu Wamakko, past national president and Board of Trustees member of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), blamed the high prices on poor regulation and rising demand. “Cement consumption in Nigeria is higher than before. Basic economics shows that when demand exceeds supply, prices go up. About 70% of cement materials are sourced locally, yet prices remain high,” he explained.

Wamakko also noted that using cement for road construction adds more pressure to the demand. “The government needs to engage cement manufacturers as it did in March 2025 to reduce prices and ease economic hardship,” he advised.

Efforts to get comments from Dangote Group spokesman Anthony Chijiena and the Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) were unsuccessful.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that Nigeria’s headline inflation fell to 22.97% in May. Food inflation is also declining. However, housing costs remain high. For example, the rent for a self-contained apartment in Gwarimpa, Abuja, has risen from ₦700,000 to ₦1.5 million per year.

President Tinubu’s 3,112-unit housing project, started in February 2024, has not been completed. Also, the Senate’s investigation into cement price hikes since 2024 has not produced any results.

The cement price increase in Nigeria continues to worsen the housing crisis. Many stakeholders believe urgent government intervention is needed to protect citizens and stabilize the construction sector.

The post Stakeholders Decry 53% Surge in Cement Prices Amid Economic Reforms appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Rent is a fundamental expense for many Nigerians who do not own properties, but for residents of Abuja, it has become an overwhelming financial burden.

The dream of homeownership is slipping further away due to a struggling economy, and rental prices have surged at an alarming rate.

Over the past two years, housing costs in the capital city have increased by as much as 300% in some areas, leaving tenants frustrated and financially strained.

An investigative survey conducted by Housing TV across various districts in Abuja has revealed the extent of this crisis.

Renters in high-demand areas such as Lugbe, Jahi, Jikwoyi, and Kabusa are now paying nearly double or triple what they did in 2023. In Lugbe, a one-bedroom apartment that previously cost ₦400,000 now goes for ₦600,000, while a two-bedroom unit has jumped from ₦500,000 to ₦800,000.

In the upscale district of Jahi, rental increases have been even more extreme, with studio apartments now costing up to ₦1 million, reflecting a 300% hike.

Areas like Jikwoyi, once considered affordable, have also seen rent for one-bedroom apartments double from ₦600,000 to ₦1.2 million. Even traditionally low-cost neighborhoods such as Kabusa have been affected, with studio apartments that once went for ₦150,000 now reaching ₦400,000.

Landlords and property owners cite multiple factors for the rent surge. The rising cost of building materials, particularly cement, iron rods, and roofing sheets, has made construction and property maintenance significantly more expensive.

Inflation and the devaluation of the naira have further fueled the crisis, leading property owners to adjust rent prices to cope with the economic downturn.

The removal of fuel subsidies and increased electricity tariffs have also driven up the cost of living, adding more pressure on both landlords and tenants. Additionally, Abuja’s growing population and increasing demand for housing have intensified competition for available rental properties, pushing prices even higher.

The residents bearing the brunt of these skyrocketing rents have voiced their struggles and concerns. In Durumi, Mr. Ali Lucas shared how the rent for a single-room apartment has jumped from between ₦100,000to ₦190,000 to ₦250,000. He emphasized the urgent need for government intervention, particularly in regulating the cost of building materials.

In Galadimawa, Mazi Kenneth Maduako lamented that self-contained apartments now cost ₦400,000, while one-bedroom units have surged past ₦1 million.

Many tenants feel trapped in a cycle where their incomes remain stagnant, but their housing expenses continue to climb at an unsustainable rate.

To address this crisis, experts and residents alike are calling for immediate government action. They suggest that authorities should regulate the cost of construction materials, introduce affordable housing projects for low-income earners, and reform the mortgage system to make homeownership more accessible.

Without such measures, Abuja’s housing market could push more residents into substandard living conditions or force them to relocate to distant, less developed areas.

The Abuja rent crisis is not just a housing issue, it is an economic emergency affecting livelihoods and financial stability. With some areas experiencing a 300% increase in rent within two years, the question remains: Will Abuja’s rent prices ever stabilize, or will residents continue to bear the brunt of an unregulated market?

The post Abuja Rent Crisis: How the Cost of Housing Has Skyrocketed in Just Two Years appeared first on Housing TV Africa.