A Housing Time Bomb Is Ticking in This South South State, Here's What The Govt Must Do Urgently.

More than 80 percent of residents in Rivers State are now reportedly spending above their total income on rent, underscoring a worsening housing affordability crisis across the state.

This was disclosed by Mr. Ceaser Enwefah, Executive Secretary of the National Union of Tenants of Nigeria (NUTN), in a letter dated May 4 and addressed to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The union highlighted that rent increases have surged significantly between 2023 and 2025, particularly in Port Harcourt and Obio-Akpor.

It noted, in line with recent housing trend analyses by Nairametrics, that the escalation reflects a broader pattern of rising urban housing costs across major Nigerian cities, driven by supply shortages and increased demand.

In the report posted by Nairametrics, Enwefah explained that the sharp rise in rental costs has left many households unable to meet essential needs, thereby deepening poverty levels in the state.

He emphasized that rent now constitutes a major driver of the high cost of living in the capital city, pushing many residents into severe financial distress.

He urged the state government to prioritize housing reforms, including introducing regulatory frameworks to control excessive rent hikes, monitor estate agents, and curb illegal property conversions.

Warning of potential long-term consequences, Enwefah stated that the situation could deteriorate into widespread homelessness, expansion of slums, and heightened social tension by 2030 if not addressed.

He also cautioned that key urban areas could face economic and social instability.

The union further recommended stricter enforcement of housing policies, the development of a centralized housing data system to monitor rental trends, increased land allocation for low-income housing, and the construction of student hostels to ease accommodation pressure.

Available data indicates a steep rise in rental costs across different housing categories. Self-contained apartments now average about N800,000 annually, while one-bedroom flats cost around N1.5 million.

Two-bedroom apartments range from N2 million to N2.5 million, and three-bedroom flats cost between N3 million and N4 million.

Enwefah warned that rents may increase further by December 2026, potentially making housing even less accessible for average residents.

He added that many individuals are already relocating from the city due to the escalating cost of living.

A recent fact-finding study by the union revealed that rental prices have risen dramatically over the past few years.

For example, the cost of a single room increased from N60,000 in 2022 to N180,000 in 2026, while self-contained apartments jumped from N150,000 to N800,000 within the same period.

The surge has been attributed to factors such as a growing housing deficit, demolition of buildings for infrastructure projects like the Port Harcourt Ring Road, activities of unregulated agents, and the conversion of residential properties into commercial spaces.

The housing crisis in Rivers State mirrors similar trends in Lagos, where residents also face escalating rental costs.

An October 2025 report by Nairametrics revealed that rents in Lagos rose sharply, with some properties recording increases of up to 80 percent within a year.

The report also noted that two-bedroom apartments, among the most sought-after, can cost as much as N2.6 million in areas like Gbagada, while high-end locations such as Eko Atlantic City command average annual rents of up to N26.6 million.

The growing strain on housing affordability across major Nigerian cities continues to raise concerns about declining living standards and the long-term sustainability of urban economies.