The National Union of Tenants of Nigeria (NUTN) has appealed to the Rivers State Government to take urgent action against rising rent costs in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas, warning that the situation is pushing many residents into financial hardship.
In a letter addressed to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the union described the growing cost of accommodation as a major housing crisis affecting more than 1.5 million people across the two councils.
According to the union, many residents, including civil servants, private-sector workers, traders, and retirees, now spend a significant portion of their income on rent. It noted that some workers earning the national minimum wage of ₦70,000 per month are required to pay up to ₦900,000 annually for self-contained apartments.
The union said rental prices have increased sharply in recent years. It claimed that the annual cost of renting double-room apartments has risen from about ₦120,000 to over ₦500,000, while one-bedroom flats now attract rents of up to ₦1.5 million compared to about ₦300,000 previously.
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NUTN blamed the situation on a shortage of available housing, alleging that the conversion of residential buildings into commercial properties has reduced the number of homes available for residents. The union also accused some landlords and unregistered agents of taking advantage of the housing shortage by imposing excessive rent increases.
To address the problem, the union called on the state government to suspend further rent hikes and halt the conversion of residential properties to non-residential use until measures are put in place to improve housing availability.
The group also urged the government to strengthen the Ministry of Housing by appointing a substantive or supervising commissioner to coordinate efforts aimed at resolving the housing challenges.
The union warned that continued increases in rent could worsen poverty and place additional pressure on families already struggling with the high cost of living. It appealed to Governor Fubara to consider its recommendations and take immediate steps to make housing more affordable for residents of the state.
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