Rising Rents Push Affordable Housing Out of Reach in FCT
Last update: January 21, 2026
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The Federal Government unveils a new national housing strategy which it said is anchored on land reform, urban renewal and public-private partnerships to address Nigeria’s growing housing deficit...
With a rapidly growing urban population, soaring construction costs, and declining household incomes, access to affordable housing seems to be slipping further out of reach for millions of Nigerians, particularly residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, residents say the housing crisis has become overwhelming, forcing many to live in uncertainty, while others battle outright homelessness.
FCT Residents say that the situation has taken a serious toll on their standard of living. Speaking with CBI News correspondent, Rilwan Sani, a civil servant, described the struggle as exhausting and disheartening, adding that decent shelter is gradually becoming a luxury rather than a basic necessity for many families.
ThankGod Solomon, while sharing his personal experience, disclosed that nearly all his monthly earnings are set aside in anticipation of the next rent payment, a situation he attributes to the inconsiderate attitude of some landlords and their frequent rent increases.
Furthermore, Cyril Ndu, who also shared his experience, lamented that some landlords carry out very minor renovations on their properties, yet return to demand rents as though the buildings are newly constructed.
When asked about possible solutions and the various low-cost housing schemes introduced by the federal government, the respondents expressed deep scepticism. They passed a vote of no confidence in the government, citing the failure of successive administrations to effectively implement housing schemes that would genuinely ease the burden on ordinary Nigerians.
This position was strongly expressed by ThankGod Solomon and Sunday Timothy, who both believe that government promises on affordable housing have largely remained unfulfilled, leaving the masses to fend for themselves.
As housing costs continue to rise and incomes struggle to keep pace, residents of the Federal Capital Territory say the dream of decent and affordable shelter is steadily fading. For many, the hope now rests on concrete policies and sincere implementation that will turn promises into relief. Until then, the struggle for a place to call home remains a daily reality for thousands of families in Abuja.
