Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), renowned for its splendor and modernity, is facing a severe housing crisis. Beneath the city’s impressive facade, a growing number of residents struggle to secure affordable housing amidst skyrocketing rents.
In a recent article by Daniel Adaji published in Punch Newspaper on July 29, 2024, it was noted that a two-bedroom apartment in a decent neighborhood can cost up to N5 million annually. This amount is prohibitively expensive for many Nigerians, reflecting the critical housing shortage in the FCT.
The burgeoning population and high demand for housing have outstripped supply, creating an environment ripe for exploitation by landlords and developers. Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers to regulate real estate agents’ practices to prevent tenant exploitation.
As housing costs rise, many residents are forced into informal settlements or onto the streets. Homelessness in the FCT has become a pressing issue, with many struggling to access basic needs such as shelter, sanitation, and healthcare.
Observations around the FCT reveal numerous youths and children residing in abandoned buildings and under bridges due to eviction or inability to afford housing. Locations such as Mabuchi, Banex, and Berger bridges have become makeshift homes for many. One individual, Abdul Yunusa, suffers from untreated injuries sustained while living under the Banex Bridge, highlighting the dire conditions faced by the homeless.
In the Abuja Municipal Area Council’s Galadimawa district, families live in unfinished buildings lacking doors or windows, using sacks to enclose their makeshift homes. A father of three, preferring anonymity, shared, “This is where I live with my family. The condition is not good, but it’s the best we can manage for now.”
Even those who can afford housing face inadequate services, with buildings improperly placed on drainage systems and lacking essential utilities like water and electricity.
The housing crisis in the FCT is a comprehensive issue requiring a coordinated effort to resolve. By expanding affordable housing, enhancing planning, tackling corruption, and providing support services, the government can make significant strides in ensuring access to decent, affordable housing for all.
