Renting an apartment in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, has turned into a serious struggle for many residents in 2025. Whether you’re a civil servant, a business owner, or a new graduate trying to start life, the high cost of rent in Abuja is now a major concern.
Over the past few years, rent prices have continued to rise across almost all areas of the city — from highbrow districts like Maitama, Wuse, and Asokoro, to even the outskirts like Mararaba, Lugbe, Kubwa, and Nyanya.
In this article, we’ll explore why house rent in Abuja has become so expensive, what’s causing this steady rise, and what you can do to cope with the situation.
️ 1. Abuja’s Population Is Growing Faster Than Its Housing Supply
One major reason rent is skyrocketing in Abuja is because the city’s population keeps growing while housing development can’t keep up. Every year, thousands of people move to Abuja in search of better jobs, business opportunities, and security.
According to the National Population Commission, Abuja remains one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa, with people coming in from all parts of Nigeria — especially from the North and South-East.
However, while more people are arriving daily, the number of new houses being built is not enough to meet the rising demand. Basic economics says that when demand is higher than supply, prices must go up — and that’s exactly what’s happening in Abuja.
️ 2. High Cost of Building Materials
Another major reason for the high cost of rent is the increasing cost of construction materials. Cement, iron rods, tiles, paint, roofing sheets, and even labor have all become extremely expensive.
For example, in 2020, a bag of cement sold for around ₦2,600. By 2025, the same bag now costs over ₦7,000 in some areas. Iron rods that used to cost ₦4,000 per length now go for almost ₦10,000 or more.
When developers spend that much on building materials, they naturally increase rent to recover their investment.
In short, if it costs more to build, it will definitely cost more to rent.
3. The Dollar Exchange Rate Affects Everything
The continuous rise of the dollar against the naira is another big factor. Many of the materials used in building construction are imported — including fittings, tiles, electrical cables, and finishing materials.
When the dollar rises, importers increase prices to cover their costs. That means landlords and developers end up spending more.
So, even though Abuja’s real estate market is local, it is still affected by foreign exchange rates. The higher the dollar, the more expensive it is to build or renovate apartments — and that means higher rent.
4. Demand for Luxury and Security
Abuja is not just Nigeria’s capital; it’s also a city filled with politicians, diplomats, and high-ranking professionals. Many people moving into the city are looking for modern, comfortable, and secure housing.
Developers, therefore, focus more on building luxury apartments that can attract wealthy tenants or expatriates. These modern apartments come with CCTV, standby generators, water treatment plants, and 24-hour security — all of which increase the cost of maintenance and rent.
Sadly, this shift toward luxury housing leaves middle- and low-income earners struggling to find affordable apartments.
5. Land Cost and Bureaucracy
Getting land in Abuja is another major problem. The process is filled with bureaucratic delays, high fees, and sometimes corruption.
Landowners often pay heavily for permits, land titles, and other government charges before construction begins. By the time the building is completed, the owner must charge high rent to recover all those expenses.
Also, because of the limited land in central areas like Wuse, Maitama, and Garki, developers move to the outskirts — but even those places are no longer cheap. Areas like Lugbe, Kubwa, and Dawaki have become hotspots, and landlords are cashing in on the growing population.
⚡ 6. High Cost of Living and Inflation
Nigeria’s general inflation has affected everything, from food to fuel — and rent is not left out.
When fuel prices rise, transportation costs go up. When transportation costs go up, the price of goods and services also rise. Builders and artisans charge more for labor, and landlords increase rent to match the rising cost of maintenance.
In 2025, inflation has made even the basic cost of living in Abuja a daily struggle. Landlords now see rent increases as a way to stay ahead of the economy’s instability.
7. Greedy Landlords and Agents
Let’s be honest — some landlords and agents are also taking advantage of the situation.
There are cases where landlords increase rent yearly even when the property is old or poorly maintained. Agents also charge high commissions and inspection fees, adding more pressure to tenants.
For example, some agents now collect 10% of annual rent as commission and still demand inspection fees before showing you the house. This exploitation makes renting in Abuja even harder for average Nigerians.
️ 8. Housing Deficit and Poor Government Policies
Nigeria has a housing deficit of over 20 million units, and Abuja is one of the hardest-hit areas.
Unfortunately, government housing schemes that were meant to make accommodation affordable are either poorly managed or too expensive for ordinary citizens.
Low-cost housing projects in areas like Gwagwalada, Karshi, and Kuje often get abandoned midway due to lack of funding or corruption. As a result, the private sector dominates the housing market — and their main focus is profit, not affordability.
Until the government takes housing seriously, rent prices will continue to rise.
️ 9. Urban Migration and Job Opportunities
Abuja remains one of the few cities in Nigeria where people believe they can find stable jobs or contracts.
With Lagos becoming overcrowded and many states facing insecurity, people now see Abuja as a “safe haven.”
However, this urban migration creates high pressure on available houses. Even low-cost areas like Mararaba, Nyanya, and Karu — which used to be affordable — are now flooded with tenants, leading to higher rent.
10. Insecurity and Movement Toward Safer Areas
Due to increasing insecurity in some parts of Nigeria, people are relocating to safer neighborhoods within Abuja.
Areas like Gwarinpa, Lokogoma, and Dawaki have seen sharp rent increases because they are relatively peaceful and well-connected.
As people keep moving toward these safer zones, landlords naturally raise their prices — after all, everyone wants to live in peace, even if it costs more.
11. Tenants’ Struggles and Daily Realities
For many tenants in Abuja today, renting a decent apartment is like climbing a mountain.
Imagine paying:
₦1.5 million for a 2-bedroom flat in Lugbe
₦3 million for the same in Wuse
₦500,000–₦700,000 in Mararaba or Karu outskirts
And that’s not even including agent fees, caution fees, and service charges.
Many tenants are now forced to downsize — moving from 2-bedroom flats to self-contained apartments or even sharing flats with friends to reduce costs.
Some are relocating to the outskirts of Abuja, where transport is longer but rent is slightly cheaper.
12. How Tenants Can Cope With Rising Rent
Despite how hard it looks, there are still ways to manage the situation and find affordable housing in Abuja. Here are a few tips:
Consider Outskirts: Look for apartments in developing areas like Kuje, Gwagwalada, or Karshi. They may be far, but the rent is more manageable.
Negotiate Rent: Always try to negotiate politely. Some landlords might agree to a small reduction.
Team Up With Friends: If you can’t afford a whole flat, share rent with a trusted friend.
Pay Early: Paying rent early builds trust and can help you avoid sudden increases.
Look Out for Government or Cooperative Schemes: Some housing cooperatives in Abuja offer better deals for members.
Use Trusted Agents: Avoid random street agents. Use reputable or verified real estate platforms to reduce fraud.
13. What Government Can Do
To solve this housing crisis, the government needs to:
Invest in affordable housing projects for low- and middle-income earners.
Provide tax relief or incentives for developers who build low-cost homes.
Regulate agent commissions and standardize rental practices.
Reduce land acquisition bureaucracy to make it easier for people to build.
Support mortgage systems that allow citizens to own homes over time instead of renting forever.
When the government takes housing seriously, Abuja residents will breathe easier.
Conclusion
Abuja remains one of the most beautiful cities in Nigeria — organized, calm, and filled with opportunities. But behind the glamour lies a serious housing challenge that’s making life hard for ordinary residents.
From the rising cost of building materials to inflation, insecurity, and poor housing policies, several factors are fueling the rent crisis.
Until housing becomes a priority for both the government and private developers, rent prices in Abuja will continue to rise, forcing many hardworking Nigerians to struggle for decent accommodation.
If you’re planning to rent in Abuja this year, start your search early, plan your budget wisely, and don’t be afraid to move to developing areas. The dream of living comfortably in Abuja is still possible — but only with careful planning and patience.
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