The increase in rent in the Southeast Nigeria has once again become a source of concern as families and low-income earners daily finding it difficult to pay for a decent house in the city.
Checks by WITHIN NIGERIA showed that the situation has literally continued to become worse by the year as many property owners have arbitrarily continued to hike house rents.
Some of the tenants who spoke to WITHIN NIGERIA lamented the increasing hike in rent by the landlords, stressing that has put many families in huge financial stress.
Louis Onunze is a tenant along Amobi Street, Nsukka Enugu state. He told our reporter that the situation is becoming so much unbearable.
According to Mr. Onunze, this continuous hike in rent will surely send many people back to village.
“The situation is becoming very unbearable every year. I and my family are staying in two-bedroom flat in Onuiyi Nsukka. Before now, we were paying N350,000. But, last two weeks, my landlord came and told us that from January when our tenancy expires, we will start paying N550,000.”
Explaining further, he said that “in 2024, we paid N200,000 but look at how it has jumped from N200,000 to N550,000. So, under this condition, how do you expect the average Nigerians to survive? It is indeed very unfortunate and that is the situation in which we have found ourselves. If this continues, many families will surely go back to their villages.”
At Awada Onitsha, Anambra state, Ejike Odo, a tenant told WITHIN NIGERIA the increase in rent by landlords is another cause of economic hardship to many families in the Southeast zone.
“We were paying N500,000 here for three-bedroom flat in the last two years. Today, we have been notified by our landlord that with effect from January 2026, we will be paying N700,000. This is an apartment which we were paying N400,000 two years ago. How it jumped from N400,000 to N700,000 within a period of two years is a rude shock to many of us.”
Narrating he told our reporter that “I could remember some years ago, our rent was increased once in about four years, with an increase of about N20,000. But today, it is now in hundreds of thousands of naira. So, it is very unfortunate. And the worst thing is that it has no immediate solution unless one build one’s own house.”
At Abakiliki, capital of Ebonyi state, Aloysius Nweke told our reporter that “both the landlord and house agents are the worst nightmares in this state. As the landlords increase their rent, the property agents also hike their own agent fee.”
Mr. Nweke, a staffer of Ebonyi state university explained that “if you are looking for two-bedroom flat, an agent will tell you that it is N850,000 to pay N550,000. What this simply means is that your rent is N550,000 but the agency fee is N300,000. When you renew your tenancy the following year, you will pay N550,000 as the agent fee is one-off. Imagine a whooping N300,000 for agent fee alone. It is very unfortunate in such a situation we find ourselves in this country.”
In Owerri, Imo state, Ifeanyi Ndukwe told WITHIN NIGERIA that “I paid N400,000 last year for our two bedroom flat. This year, our caretaker has notified us that with effect from next year, will be paying N650,000. We have pleaded with him to allow us pay N550,000 but he refused to listen to us. So, we are left with no option but to stay and pay the N650,000.”
The case of tenants in Abia state is even different and worse. Kenneth Ugwu who sells building materials and lives in Port Harcourt told our reporter that “in Aba, when landlord want to increase rent, he will just inform his tenants that he wants to renovate his building and so, they should park out. He will give them six months’ notice. When they have parked out, he will just bring in new tenants and hike the rent. Sometimes, he will hike it by one hundred percent or eighty percent depending on the landlord and the area.”
Landlords/Agents speak to our reporter
Julius Ezugwu is a landlord at Nsukka, Enugu state. He told our reporter that the situation in the country equally affect the landlord as well.
He attributed the increase in rent to the high cost of building materials in the country.
“Tenants should remember that the situation in this country equally affects everybody. As I speak with you, a bag of cement now sells for between N9600 to N9800. To build a house in this country has become a multi-million naira project. Roofing sheets are not easy to come by this time around.
“It is true that some of these houses were not built today but remember that we landlords go to the same market with you. Our children equally go to the same school with yours. So, the high cost of living in this country also affects us, the landlords.”
However, another landlord in Abia state told our reporter that “the cost of building materials is very much on a high side. Today, a bag of cement is almost N10,000. How many bags do you think you can use to build two storey building containing six flats? Again, 16mm rod today is sold more N15,000 per length. How many lengths do you think you can use to build six flats we are talking about? So, everything is on a high side. If you build a house today, can’t even realize the money you use to build it fifteen years’ time.”
Insecurity also causes high cost of rent.
WITHIN NIGERIA also gathered that insecurity is also goes a long way in fueling high cost of rent in the Southeast.
Findings showed that many communities in the neighbouring states who are constantly attacked by the bandits and other criminal elements have continued to run to the zone, thereby pushing the demand for house which subsequently led to high cost of rent in the zone.
State governments move to checkmate the worsening situation
In any case, worried by the ugly trend, the Enugu state government made a move to provide an affordable housing estate for the citizens.
Recently the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation (ESHDC) launched a series of new residential estates, tailored to meet the evolving needs of residents.
Speaking on the development, the Public Relations Officer of the Corporation, Onu Charity Onyinye, expressed the corporation’s commitment to delivering not just houses, but entire communities designed for comfort, security, and modern convenience.
According to the image maker, the newly announced housing projects reflect a strategic approach to sustainable urban expansion and include:
Unity Estate, Umuchigbo – located near the Adoration Ministry and designed for communal living with strong spiritual and social foundations.
Dolphin Estate, part of the Coal City Eastern Extension Alliance – offering sleek, contemporary housing layouts for young professionals and upwardly mobile families.
University Estate, Nsukka – sited by Ikenga Hotel to cater to academic professionals, staff, and students of nearby institutions.
River View Estate Phase 2 Extension 3, Ozalla 4-Corner – positioned to offer tranquil riverside living in a secure and serene environment.
Blossom Garden Estate, Trans-Ekulu Annex – ideal for family-oriented living with proximity to city amenities.
Coal City Eastern Extension Alliance Estate, Independence Layout Phase 2 – a premium residential enclave for elites and urban dwellers.
Onyinye explained that the locations were carefully selected to offer easy access to infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, transportation, and commercial areas — all while prioritizing security, aesthetics, and green spaces.
She stated that members of the public interested in purchasing or learning more about the new estates are encouraged to contact the Corporation through any of the following numbers: 08034886364, 07030183060, or 08038715449. For direct inquiries, the ESHDC head office is located at No. 21 Kingsway Road, GRA, Enugu.
Also in Abia state, Prince Okey Kanu, the Commissioner for Information, recently revealed the state government’s plan to provide affordable housing units to the citizens.
He made this known while briefing journalists at the Government House in Umuahia following the week’s Executive Council Meeting chaired by Gov. Alex Otti.
According to him, the upcoming housing projects include Valley View Estate, Mgbarakuma Estate, Mbaisii Estate, and Obehe Housing Estate. These projects, he explained, form part of a broader vision of urban renewal and sustainable housing delivery across Abia.
“This administration is fully committed to addressing the housing deficit in the state. These four housing estates are ready for groundbreaking, and in no distant time, the Governor will lead the flag-off ceremonies,” Prince Kanu stated.
He further revealed that Phase 2 of the government’s housing initiative is already in motion, involving four additional estates currently undergoing design and preliminary development stages. These will be unveiled once groundwork and logistics are fully in place.
“This is a bold signal that the government is intentional about urban development. What we are seeing is a deliberate shift from rhetoric to real impact,” a real estate analyst told newsmen.
The housing plan aligns with other infrastructural reforms initiated under Governor Otti’s administration — including road projects, waste management upgrades, and the soon-to-be-launched Greater Aba Master Plan.
