The International Union of Tenants (IUT) has called on the Rivers State Government to take urgent and practical measures to curb the escalating cost of house rents in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, warning that the situation is becoming a major social and economic crisis for residents.
Key Highlights:
- International Union of Tenants raises alarm over rising rents in Rivers State.
- IUT urges government intervention in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor housing market.
- Group calls for regulation of excessive rent increases and protection of affordable housing.
- Tenants reportedly spend more than their income on accommodation.
- NUTN describes the rent situation as a full-scale housing crisis.
- IUT insists housing is a fundamental human right that must be protected.
- Global tenants’ body pledges solidarity with Nigerian tenants.
The intervention by the International Union of Tenants follows a petition by the National Union of Tenants of Nigeria (NUTN), Rivers State Chapter, which appealed to the state government to address the growing burden of housing costs on residents across the Port Harcourt metropolis.
In a letter signed by the Rivers State Secretary of NUTN, Caesar W. Enwefah, the union lamented what it described as outrageous rent increases in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor, noting that the development has significantly affected the welfare of civil servants, private-sector workers, self-employed individuals, and retirees.
According to the union, the worsening housing situation has evolved into a full-scale crisis, with many residents struggling to cope with the soaring cost of accommodation amid prevailing economic challenges.
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Enwefah stated that the current ₦70,000 national minimum wage is no longer sufficient to meet housing needs, alleging that nearly 80 percent of urban residents in Rivers State, estimated at about two million people, now spend more than 150 percent of their income on rent.
He warned that the trend leaves many households with little or no disposable income to cater for other essential needs, including food, healthcare, transportation, and education.
Reacting to the concerns, the President of the International Union of Tenants, Marie Linder, described the situation as evidence of a systemic failure within the housing sector.
“The situation described by our Nigerian member is deeply alarming. When tenants are forced to spend more than their entire income on rent, housing systems are no longer functioning. Housing must be treated as a human right, not a commodity,” Linder stated.
She stressed that authorities must take immediate steps to prevent unjustified rent increases, preserve affordable housing, and ensure that urban development policies prioritize the welfare of residents rather than profit-driven interests.
“Authorities must act now to prevent unjustified rent increases, protect affordable housing, and ensure that urban development serves people, not profit,” she added.
Reaffirming its global policy position, the International Union of Tenants emphasized that access to decent and affordable housing is a fundamental human right that governments have a responsibility to protect.
According to the organization, public authorities must guarantee housing affordability, security of tenure, and protection against exploitation while implementing policies that prevent displacement and improve access to adequate housing.
The IUT expressed support for the demands of the National Union of Tenants of Nigeria, including calls for urgent measures to halt the unlawful conversion of residential buildings into commercial properties, regulate excessive rent increases, and restore affordable housing supply.
The organization further urged both Rivers State and Federal Government authorities to engage constructively with tenant groups and implement sustainable solutions to the housing affordability crisis.
The statement noted that the Rivers housing challenge reflects a broader global trend of rising accommodation costs and underscores the need for people-focused housing policies.
“At a time when housing affordability challenges are intensifying globally, the situation in Nigeria underscores the urgent need for policy frameworks that put people before profit and ensure that no tenant is left behind,” the statement read.
The International Union of Tenants reaffirmed its commitment to promoting tenant rights and housing justice worldwide, while pledging continued support for its Nigerian affiliates in their advocacy for affordable and secure housing.
