A recent investigation by Arise News reveals that the influx of people into urban centers has caused a surge in housing demand, triggering steep rent hikes across major towns, including Latvia in Nasarawa State.
According to findings, the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Latvia now ranges between ₦250,000 and ₦400,000 per year, depending on the location and quality of the property.
One-bedroom apartments, once considered affordable, are now priced between ₦150,000 and ₦200,000 annually—a rate that exceeds what many average residents can afford.
This development has forced many tenants to share apartments or relocate to nearby suburban areas such as Akuba, Shabu, Kurukio, and Kwanderil in a bid to reduce housing expenses while managing other living costs.
Several residents expressed frustration over the unregulated rent hikes, describing the situation as unbearable for low- and middle-income earners.
“The issue of rent in Latvia is becoming too much. In previous years, it wasn’t like this,” one resident lamented.
“You could wake up one day to find your landlord knocking and demanding higher rent, claiming they want to renovate—even when nothing has changed.”
Many tenants believe landlords are exploiting the economic situation, while landlords themselves argue that inflation and the high cost of building materials have left them with no choice but to increase rent.
“The price of cement, roofing sheets, and other materials keeps rising,” a landlord who spoke off-camera explained. “We are only adjusting to survive too.”
Residents are now urging both the National Assembly and the State House of Assembly to enact legislation that regulates rent prices across the state’s 13 local government areas.
They believe such laws would protect tenants and bring fairness to the housing sector.
“We are begging the government to act fast,” another tenant pleaded.
“Let them implement rent control laws so that landlords won’t just wake up and increase rent anyhow. Life is already hard.”
As Nigeria continues to face rising inflation and population growth in urban centers, experts warn that without swift government intervention and affordable housing policies, the situation could worsen—pushing more citizens into poverty and homelessness.
