Rising Rents Push Asaba Residents Deeper Into Housing Hardship

Residents of Asaba, Delta State, are facing increasing difficulty securing and retaining decent accommodation as rising rents, inflation, stagnant incomes and the wider cost-of-living crisis put greater pressure on household finances.

Asaba has continued to expand, with new roads, businesses and construction projects changing the city’s landscape. The state capital has also attracted people seeking employment, education, trade and better economic opportunities.

But behind the growth, many residents are struggling to keep up with the cost of housing.

For some households, finding accommodation has moved beyond a normal financial responsibility and become an annual struggle involving difficult choices between rent, food, transportation, school fees, electricity and healthcare.

A 2025 report on the State of Lagos Housing Market cited in the report indicated that rent could consume between 50 and 70 per cent of household income in some cases, reflecting the growing affordability challenge facing Nigerian households.

Residents also face additional costs from estate agents, legal fees and other charges, meaning the amount required to secure a property can be significantly higher than the advertised rent.

In parts of Asaba, a one-bedroom apartment can cost between N700,000 and N1m annually, while larger apartments command higher rents.

For workers whose earnings have not increased at the same rate as inflation, the cost of accommodation can consume a substantial portion of their income.

Workers struggle to keep up with rent increases

Ella, a civil servant living in Ugbolu, said she previously paid N400,000 annually for a three-bedroom apartment but now pays N700,000.

Her salary, however, has not increased by a similar margin, leaving less money available for savings and other family needs.

For Okafor Ikechukwu, a commercial tricycle operator and family breadwinner, the situation has become even more difficult.

His annual rent increased from N150,000 to N360,000, while his income did not rise accordingly. On some days, he said, he works for several hours without getting enough passengers.

Much of his earnings goes towards feeding his family, leaving little available for rent savings.

He said that while he was previously able to pay his rent once a year, he now sometimes has to make payments in instalments because raising the full amount at once is difficult.

Artisans are also feeling the pressure.

Paul Edward, a professional plumber who has worked in Asaba for more than 20 years and chairs the Plumbers Association, said his annual rent had increased from N145,000 to N450,000.

He said that after paying school fees, feeding his family and meeting other household expenses, saving enough money for rent had become increasingly difficult.

According to Edward, some artisans have resorted to living in unfinished buildings because they can no longer afford decent accommodation.

Owen Marvellous, a married commercial tricycle operator and father, said his housing needs changed after he started a family.

He explained that living in a single room was more manageable before marriage, but having a wife and children meant he needed a larger apartment.

The cost of moving into a bigger home, however, has become increasingly difficult to bear.

He said one-bedroom apartments can cost between N700,000 and N1m annually in some parts of Asaba, while agency and other charges add further pressure to prospective tenants.

Single mothers face additional housing pressure

For Doris, a single mother with one child, the housing challenge goes beyond rent.

She lives in a one-room apartment affected by poor drainage and flooding, making living conditions difficult.

Her concerns increased when her landlord threatened to remove the roof of the building during the rainy season.

Doris said she was terrified by the possibility of being left without a roof over her head.

She also faced the prospect of receiving a quit notice and, at one point, had to borrow money to raise enough funds to remain in her accommodation.

For a single-income household, the loss of accommodation could create wider consequences for the stability and security of the family.

Commercial rents squeeze businesses

The pressure is not limited to residential accommodation. Business owners are also dealing with increasing commercial rents.

Ikechukwu Emmanuel, who has been in the plumbing materials business for 15 years, said shops in Asaba now cost between N1m and N1.5m annually, depending on location and other factors.

He explained that when commercial rent is combined with residential accommodation, transportation, electricity, staff salaries and other operating costs, business owners can end up spending most of their earnings simply to remain in operation.

According to him, some entrepreneurs are now using money that would otherwise have gone into expanding their businesses to cover operating expenses.

Others, he said, have been forced to shut down after years of trading because the cost of maintaining their businesses became unsustainable.

Precious, a fashion designer in Okpanam, said rising shop costs had also affected her business.

She said that when a customer brings work worth N10,000, she may accept the amount without negotiating because she needs the money to meet her growing expenses.

“Rent keeps increasing, but my income has not increased at the same pace,” she said.

Housing demand outpaces supply

Estate agents in Asaba said the rental market had changed considerably in recent years.

Anthony, an estate agent with 12 years of experience in the city, said the market began changing significantly around 2023 as Asaba’s population grew and infrastructure improved.

According to him, demand for accommodation increased while the supply of available homes did not grow at the same pace.

Another estate agent, Gozie, attributed part of the increase in rents to higher construction costs.

He said the cost of building materials, labour, transportation and other development expenses had increased, with developers passing some of the additional costs on to tenants through higher rents.

Okolie Alexander, a building materials dealer, also said construction commodities had become more expensive.

He attributed the increases to fuel costs, transportation expenses, government policies and international economic conditions.

Economist links rent crisis to supply gap

Prof Anthony Monye-Emina, Head of the Department of Economics at Dennis Osadebay University, identified the imbalance between housing demand and supply as a major factor behind the rising rents.

He said Asaba was attracting more residents but affordable housing was not being developed quickly enough to meet the growing demand.

According to him, inflation has worsened the situation because the prices of goods and services continue to rise while wages do not automatically increase at the same pace.

As a result, households are forced to devote a larger share of their earnings to basic needs, leaving less money for savings, investments and emergencies.

Solomon Eyikwe, Chairman of the Asaba Branch of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, said Nigeria’s largely market-driven housing system gives private property owners significant control over rental prices.

He also pointed to exchange-rate fluctuations and inflation as factors that have increased the cost of imported building materials and property development.

Samuel Ekiyor, a married resident and father, expressed concern that continued increases in rent could eventually make it difficult for many workers to afford to live in Asaba.

Developing rural areas could ease pressure on cities

Monye-Emina said part of the response to rising urban housing demand should involve developing rural communities.

He argued that better roads, healthcare, schools and economic opportunities in rural areas could reduce the pressure driving people into cities such as Asaba.

According to him, reducing the need for people to move into urban centres could help moderate pressure on available housing.

The housing situation has broader consequences because accommodation costs affect household welfare, business operations and residents’ ability to save or invest.

The experiences of civil servants, artisans, commercial tricycle operators, traders, business owners and single parents in Asaba show how rising housing costs are affecting different categories of residents.

For many of them, the demand is not for luxury accommodation but for a decent home that can be sustained alongside other basic household expenses.

As rents continue to rise, residents are increasingly being forced to reduce spending, postpone plans, use instalment payments, borrow money or consider cheaper accommodation options.

The situation has also raised concerns about the ability of workers and small businesses to remain in the city as accommodation and operating costs continue to increase.

For many residents, a home that should provide security and stability is increasingly becoming another source of financial uncertainty.

The post Rising Rents Push Asaba Residents Deeper Into Housing Hardship appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

A widening dispute over property taxation, valuation and revenue enforcement in Sabon Gari, Kano State, is putting additional pressure on landlords and tenants as property owners say rising government charges are driving up the cost of accommodation and doing business.

Chairman of the Sabon Gari Landlord/Caretaker Association, Kano State, Basil Nnamdi Ulasi, said landlords were not opposed to paying legitimate taxes but alleged that increased assessments, multiple levies and aggressive enforcement had placed property owners under growing financial pressure.

According to Ulasi, the additional costs are eventually transferred to tenants through higher rents.

“Landlords are the ones collecting the money, but when the cost of running the property increases, they have to look at the rent. If government is increasing the charges, somebody will bear the cost,” he said.

Landlords Protest Rising Property Charges

Ulasi alleged that property-related charges had increased significantly, with some landlords who previously paid between N15,000 and N20,000 in local government charges now receiving demands of N500,000 or N800,000.

He said the association had previously negotiated payments of about N100,000 in local government charges, alongside state government payments of about N500,000 and N200,000, but claimed that the financial demands had risen significantly.

The association, he said, could provide previous payment receipts to demonstrate the changes.

Landlords Challenge Property Valuations

The dispute has also extended to property valuation.

Ulasi alleged that some government officials attempted to assess properties without adequate involvement of their owners, resulting in valuations landlords considered unrealistic.

He cited one property which he said could be worth between N60 million and N70 million but was allegedly assessed for taxation purposes at about N700 million.

Such assessments, according to Ulasi, could produce tax obligations that do not reflect the actual economic value or income-generating capacity of properties.

How Rising Costs Affect Tenants

Ulasi explained that the impact becomes clearer at the individual property level.

He gave the example of a landlord with six flats generating about N200,000 each, amounting to N1.2 million in rental income.

From that income, he said, the landlord still has to meet tax obligations and other operating expenses, leaving less money for maintenance, repairs and other property-related costs.

The association chairman said this creates a chain in which increased government charges raise landlords’ operating costs, prompting rent adjustments that eventually affect tenants.

For residents and businesses already facing higher living and operating expenses, the additional rent burden could further increase costs.

The association has therefore called for the harmonisation of taxes so property owners do not receive separate demands from multiple government authorities.

“We suggested that they should unify the taxes, call us and let us see what they are doing. Each tax should be in one place, then we pay with a human face,” Ulasi said.

Tax Dispute Moves To Court

Ulasi said the association wrote to government authorities and sought meetings to resolve the valuation and taxation disagreements.

The landlords subsequently approached the courts seeking clarification on the legality and procedures surrounding property valuation and taxation.

According to Ulasi, the association was advised during the proceedings to engage professional property valuers and meet with government representatives to pursue a resolution through dialogue.

He alleged that following the court proceedings, government officials accompanied by security personnel moved into parts of Sabon Gari.

Ulasi claimed that some shops were sealed and association members, including the vice chairman and secretary, were arrested and taken to a police station before being arraigned.

He said the alleged enforcement action changed the dispute from a disagreement over taxation into a broader confrontation involving government authorities, security agencies and property owners.

Ulasi further alleged that some landlords and traders subsequently paid the amounts demanded to avoid further confrontation.

Landlords Raise Infrastructure Concerns

The taxation dispute is also taking place against the backdrop of concerns over infrastructure in Sabon Gari.

Ulasi said the area had suffered from inadequate water supply despite being a densely populated commercial district.

“Sabon Gari has been lacking basic infrastructure for a long time. We don’t have pipe-borne water. People buy water from Mai Ruwa,” he said.

He said some landlords had drilled boreholes to provide water for tenants but alleged that such private infrastructure efforts also attracted additional local government charges.

According to him, this has created concerns among property owners who pay taxes while also spending their own resources to provide services for residents.

Ulasi acknowledged improvements in electricity supply but said water and roads remained major concerns.

He alleged that nearly 90 per cent of roads in the area were not motorable, although some were undergoing rehabilitation.

Trader Relocation Adds To Congestion

The association also linked the area’s challenges to the relocation of traders from Yankura to the New Road area.

Ulasi attributed the relocation to the Kano State Road Traffic Agency, KAROTA, saying it had transformed parts of New Road into a congested commercial zone.

He disputed claims that traders moved there simply because of better business opportunities, saying they were relocated to facilitate construction work at their previous location.

According to him, trading activities now begin as early as 5am, with traders occupying parts of the road and creating traffic congestion.

“The whole road is blocked from five o’clock in the morning. If you come here, you cannot be able to pass,” he said.

He also linked the congestion to security concerns, alleging thefts and break-ins involving shops and houses in the area.

Association Seeks Unified Tax System

The Sabon Gari Landlord/Caretaker Association wants the Kano State Government to intervene in the dispute and supervise revenue collection activities in the area.

The association is seeking a unified taxation framework, transparent property valuation, a single payment system and greater involvement of property owners in determining the basis for assessments.

Ulasi also appealed for improved water supply, roads, security and traffic management, arguing that better infrastructure would make taxation more acceptable to property owners and residents.

“We are begging the State Government to come to our aid, or else things will go from worse to wherever we don’t know,” he said.

The dispute highlights the relationship between property taxation and housing affordability, with landlords arguing that higher government charges can ultimately feed into rents paid by tenants.

The post Sabon Gari Rent Crisis: Rising Property Taxes Push Kano Landlords To Increase Rents appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

According to multiple occupants—some of whom have lived and run businesses on the premises for more than a decade—the situation escalated after they were issued a sudden seven-day quit notice on May 13. The notice, they argue, did not follow appropriate legal channels, and the eviction was carried out in a manner that disregarded their rights.

One of the affected residents, Mr. Vincent Uba, who identified himself as the National Coordinator of the Tinubu Support Group, described the move as a misuse of both legal and security apparatus. “They blocked our entrance with heaps of sand, effectively locking in our vehicles and cutting off access. The police were not there to maintain peace but to amplify pressure on us,” he said.

Uba further alleged that officials from the Zone 2 Police Command in Onikan detained some of the tenants, including himself, after a petition was filed by the buyers’ legal representatives and backed by the Oyo State Ministry of Justice. He described the incident as “an attempt to criminalize a civil matter involving tenancy rights.”

The tenants are calling for an investigation into the alleged abuse of police authority and a review of the eviction process, insisting that due process must be followed in property disputes to preserve citizens’ rights and uphold the rule of law.

The post Lagos Tenants Cry Foul Over Alleged Unlawful Eviction, Police Intimidation appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The cost of renting homes in Lagos continues to rise, leaving many residents struggling and calling for government intervention.

Damilola Adebayo’s 71-year-old father recently relocated after his former landlord sold the house he was renting. In Lagos’ Agege area, he paid N260,000 for a single room—without basic self-contained facilities. Adebayo contributed N120,000 to secure the space despite living in Ibafo, Ogun State, while working in Ikeja.

He shared how two of his friends are also struggling to raise N370,000 for a single room, accusing landlords of exploiting tenants despite the high cost of construction and maintenance.

Last week, on-air personality Gbemi O.O drew attention to the rent crisis with a post on X, which received 2.4 million views. Her post sparked reactions from frustrated tenants, including @demolarashid, who faced a 400% rent increase, and @AdeyefAbiola, whose landlord doubled his rent.

Calls for Rent Regulation Grow

Yetunde, a tenant in Ikeja, revealed that her rent rose from N700,000 to N900,000, a 29% increase, despite no improvements to the property. She urged the government to regulate rent, ensuring tenants aren’t at landlords’ mercy.

Joshua, another tenant, echoed similar concerns, criticizing the growing demand by landlords for two years’ rent upfront. Faith, who commutes from Ogba to Ikeja, also called for government intervention through rent control policies.

Landlords Cite High Building Costs

Landlords attribute rent hikes to rising construction expenses. Adeniyi Adenekan explained that the price of cement rose from N4,000 to nearly N10,000, alongside increasing government levies. Although he hasn’t raised rents in three years, he understands why others have, noting some landlords depend solely on rental income.

Suraj Ogundijo also pointed to inflation and soaring material costs as key drivers of rent increases.

Real Estate Agents Blame Economic Conditions

Chief Dozie Ebikam, Vice Chairman of APICAN, Ogba Branch, noted that property prices surged following fuel subsidy removal. He revealed that a three-bedroom flat in an estate that cost under N1 million in 2022 now exceeds N3 million.

Ebikam dismissed claims that agents cause rent inflation, asserting they only benefit when people can afford to rent. He supported rent regulation to ensure fairness between old and new properties.

Monthly Rent System Considered

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu proposed a monthly rent system in 2021 to ease tenants’ financial burdens. Special Adviser on Housing, Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, confirmed plans to implement the scheme by early 2025, starting with the public sector.

Ebikam welcomed the policy, citing similar practices in developed countries, which ease financial strain and promote better money management. However, landlords like Adenekan and Ogundijo opposed the move, warning that it might worsen financial pressure on tenants.

Housing Deficit Worsens Rental Market

Lagos’ rent crisis is exacerbated by a housing deficit exceeding three million units. A 2024 report by BuyLetLive revealed that 98.5% of Lagos residents live in rented apartments. The report also highlighted that areas like Yaba, Surulere, and Gbagada are in high demand but lack sufficient housing to meet rising needs.

With inflation, fluctuating exchange rates, and surging building costs, rental prices continue to climb, deepening concerns among tenants.

Efforts to reach Lagos State officials for comments were unsuccessful at the time of this report.

Source: WHISTLER

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The landlord, in his 30s, Our Source gathered, was accused of terrorizing his tenants and stealing their belongings, including food items and household valuables.

According to residents, Obong Ete’s actions had become a recurring problem, with many attempts to reform him failing.

“He has been doing this for a long time, and it’s good that he’s finally been publicly disgraced.

“Many times, youth leaders and vigilante groups have traced stolen items to his apartment, and beaten him up,” said John Akpan, a resident.

The tenants and neighbours, who were preparing for Sunday worship, confronted Obong Ete and subjected him to a severe beating, using horse whips, canes, and planks.

After the beating, the youth leaders forced him to swear an oath that he would not continue to steal or terrorise them.

Obong Ete, who was left battered and bruised, apologised for his actions and promised to change his ways.

He also agreed that if he ever stole again, his neighbours were free to mete out any measures deemed fit.

The youth leaders also suspected a young man who cohabited with Obong Ete of being an accomplice and forced him out of the landlord’s apartment, warning him never to return to the community.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo, condemned the brutalisation of Obong Ete, advising that such cases should always be handed over to the police.

Source: tribuneonlineng

The post Cross River: Tenants flog landlord for alleged theft appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The initiative, as discussed with our source in Abeokuta, seeks to strengthen the enforcement of existing tenancy laws and promote accountability within the housing sector.

Mr. Jacob Famodimu, a lawyer and Chairman of Fountain Hillip Associates and Co., emphasized that a defaulters register would compel the government to formulate precise policies addressing housing sector challenges. “Defaulters are rarely reported because tenants fear losing their accommodation,” Famodimu explained. “Additionally, current laws are insufficient to effectively identify and penalize defaulters.”

Famodimu also criticized the rapid escalation of house rents, attributing it to the shortage of available accommodation. “The demand consistently surpasses supply, forcing landlords to evict tenants through notices to quit,” he stated. He further highlighted that landlords often cite personal use as a pretext for recovery of premises, even when such grounds are unfounded. Moreover, he pointed out that many state tenancy laws prohibit the collection of advances exceeding two years for periodic tenancies, complicating the landlord-tenant relationship.

Echoing these concerns, Mr. Bolaji Ajiwe, Chairman of Ifesowopo Community Development Association (CDA) in Warewa, Ogun, called on state governments to organize meetings involving tenants and landlords to address unreasonable rent hikes. “It’s imperative to foster dialogue between stakeholders to mitigate the financial strain on both parties,” Ajiwe asserted.

Adding to the discourse, Human Rights Advocate and government official Mr. Sunday Olowoyobiojo identified multiple factors exacerbating landlord-tenant discord, including job losses, high cost of living, and arbitrary increases in tenancy rates. “From the landlords’ perspective, issues such as living beyond their means and reliance on property income contribute to tensions,” Olowoyobiojo noted. He recommended that the government undertake periodic reviews of tenancy agreements and rental rates to strengthen landlord-tenant relationships.

In a related statement, Mr. Paul Ayeni, an ex-Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), urged tenants to uphold their responsibilities by paying rent punctually, maintaining cleanliness, and adhering to community laws. “Respecting these obligations can significantly reduce conflicts and foster a harmonious living environment,” Ayeni advised.

NAN reports that tenancy agreements, whether formal or oral, delineate the terms and conditions of occupancy, including tenants’ rights to a written agreement, receipt of payments, peaceful occupation, and protection against invalid quit notices. Conversely, landlords are entitled to receive rent, renew tenancies, ensure property maintenance, and issue quit notices under legitimate circumstances.

As stakeholders seek comprehensive solutions to the housing sector’s challenges, the proposed mandatory registry for tenancy defaulters stands out as a pivotal measure to enhance transparency, accountability, and fairness in landlord-tenant relationships across Nigeria.

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