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.

The post Rivers Tenants Urge Fubara to Address Worsening Housing Crisis in Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

More than 80 per cent of residents in Rivers State now spend over 100 per cent of their income on house rent, signalling a worsening housing crisis.

The disclosure was made by the Executive Secretary of the National Union of Tenants of Nigeria (NUTN), Ceaser Enwefah, in a letter addressed to Governor Siminalayi Fubara on May 4.

Rent Surge Deepens Hardship

According to the union, rent increases between 2023 and 2025 have been particularly severe in Port Harcourt and Obio-Akpor.

Enwefah warned that the rising cost of housing is pushing many residents into extreme hardship, making it difficult to meet basic needs.

“Rental costs now account for a significant portion of the high cost of living in the capital city,” he said.

He cautioned that the situation could escalate into widespread homelessness, slum expansion, and social tension by 2030 if not addressed.

Calls for Government Intervention

The union urged the state government to prioritise the housing sector and introduce regulatory measures to curb excesses.

Recommendations include stricter oversight of estate agents, enforcement against illegal property conversions, and the creation of a housing data system to monitor rent trends.

Other proposals include increased land allocation for low-income housing and the construction of student hostels to ease accommodation pressure.

Sharp Rise in Rental Prices

Data from the union shows a steep increase in rental costs across housing categories:

• Self-contained apartments: about N800,000 annually
• One-bedroom flats: around N1.5 million
• Two-bedroom apartments: N2 million to N2.5 million
• Three-bedroom flats: N3 million to N4 million

The report also noted that a single room rose from N60,000 in 2022 to N180,000 in 2026, while self-contained units jumped from N150,000 to N800,000 within the same period.

Enwefah warned that rents could rise further by December 2026, forcing more residents to leave the city.

Drivers of the Housing Crisis

The surge in rent has been linked to multiple factors, including housing shortages, demolition of buildings for infrastructure projects such as the Port Harcourt Ring Road, activities of unregulated agents, and the conversion of residential buildings for commercial use.

Nationwide Trend

The situation reflects a broader trend across Nigeria, particularly in Lagos, where residents also face rising rent costs.

Across major urban centres, increasing housing demand, inflation, and limited supply continue to put pressure on affordability, raising concerns about urban living standards and long-term economic stability.

The post Housing Crisis: Rivers Residents Spend Over 100% of Income on Rent appeared first on Housing TV Africa.