Finding residential accommodation in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has become a herculean task for many residents, who often fall prey to exploitative estate agents, writes Esther Blankson. Abuja, the FCT, is celebrated for its beautiful landscape, tree‑lined boulevards, and bustling metropolis. As the seat of Nigeria’s administrative and political power, it hosts embassies, government parastatals, private companies, universities, stadiums, hotels, and an airport. For many migrants, Abuja promises a better life and greater opportunities. Yet, for those seeking shelter away from home, the dream can quickly turn into a nightmare. The housing market has become a minefield where unsuspecting renters fall victim to deceitful agents who exploit their desperation. Government and private developers have failed to bridge the gap between supply and demand, resulting in poorly constructed buildings and overstretched infrastructure. Consequently, many are forced to look to neighboring states such as Nasarawa and Niger. Affordable housing is scarce, and the cost of a home in Abuja far exceeds its monetary value. The lengthy search, coupled with the physical and mental stress of choosing between water‑logged estates or homes unreasonably far from workplaces, is daunting. This is only the tip of the iceberg; the road from inspection to final payment is littered with crooked agents.
Mike Albert, a resident who moved to Abuja last year, is one of many casualties of this housing crisis. Eager to find a one‑bedroom apartment, he encountered pushy, evasive agents who refused to answer his questions directly. In his desperation, he paid a commitment fee based solely on the agent’s description and photos, only to discover a property in dire condition, with damp walls and broken kitchen and bathroom facilities. Mike’s experience is far from unique. Renters across Abuja face similar challenges, navigating a market rife with scams where agents have become the latest cash cows. With no accountability or regulation, many renters suffer losses without recourse. Numerous people shared how agents sold false hope at exorbitant fees. The lack of regulations governing Abuja’s housing market enables these agents to operate with impunity, leaving tenants vulnerable.
Ekas Essien recounted her unpleasant experience with Abuja housing agents after renting a two‑bedroom apartment in Kubwa. She paid 20 % of the rent to agents who split the profit in her presence, yet the property required extensive renovations. The agents promised to offset some costs with the 20 % fee, but she has yet to recover the money. During the rainy season, the building’s walls soaked, and the caretaker and main agent were indistinguishable. Joy and Ameh Daniels described how agents “built a house on top of their heads.” Despite using several housing apps and paying inspection fees as low as N3,500, they were often taken to locations that did not match the pictures. The agents claimed the keys were with a main agent or offered “better” properties, forcing the couple to pay outrageous charges just to settle.
Lisa Ukpono, transferred from Port Harcourt, viewed over 20 properties before finally paying for a home in Jabi. The agent charged a 20 % fee, claiming it covered legal costs, yet no contractual agreement was signed, and the landlord’s account received the money after a scanty form was presented. Wale Larry’s house hunt in Lugbe ended in embarrassment when six different agents claimed to be the main representative, each asserting a connection to the owner or a rent reduction. After completing documentation and collecting the key, Larry was left to navigate the agents’ dispute alone.
Yusuf Abubakar, a lawyer, avoided exploitation thanks to his legal knowledge but still faced high repair costs and misleading information from the agent, Jose. He noted that even property websites are unreliable, often ignoring their own rules against inspection fees. Eric Jonathan’s experience on a popular property site promised a two‑bedroom apartment in Bwari, yet the agent drove him to a deserted village and demanded payment. He concluded that many agents are primarily interested in daily inspection fees, with some handling up to five prospective customers a day.
Madam Rukky described the uphill battle of securing a decent apartment without falling prey to agents. After weeks of searching, she found a seemingly perfect two‑bedroom unit, only to discover the rent was higher than a comparable apartment in Kano, the space was smaller than expected, and the agents imposed numerous fees for viewings, paperwork, water, and electricity. The apartment suffered from leaks, no running water, and frequent power outages, and the agents were unresponsive to complaints, straining her marriage.
Glory Akaninyene thought she had found a “dirt cheap house” in Life Camp, shown by an amiable agent, Mrs Gwankat, who claimed the property belonged to a road safety officer. The tenant was absent, so she could not inspect the interior. The house turned out to be a cramped box with poor ventilation, leaving her feeling robbed. Ike Iheanacho, who has moved houses eight times in Abuja, highlighted the difficulty of finding reliable agents. In Lugbe, an agent demanded caution, agency, and legal fees, while the caretaker acted as an agent. When it was time to return the security deposit (10 % of rent), the caretaker offered excuses, and Ike has yet to recover the money.
Respondents called for stronger regulations to govern housing agents and innovative housing solutions tailored to renters’ needs. Mrs Yusuf identified underlying factors: inadequate regulatory frameworks, a booming population straining infrastructure, and a lack of affordable housing. She explained that high demand and weak enforcement allow agents to act with impunity, knowing that dissatisfied tenants can always find another. Akaninyene emphasized that real estate should be a serious business, but in Nigeria, agents prioritize profit and operate without regulation. Yusuf added that landlords also contribute to the problem by neglecting tenants’ total payments. Ukpono urged the government and law enforcement to crack down on corrupt agents and hold them accountable.
Despite these challenges, many, including Rukky and Yusuf, remain drawn to Abuja for its opportunities. However, the housing crisis poses a significant obstacle to their aspirations. Until decisive government action addresses the root causes, renters will continue to face frustration. Solutions include enforcing rent‑control policies, increasing the supply of well‑constructed housing, and regulating the market. An anonymous homeowner warned that renters often fail to conduct due diligence, copying contacts from the internet instead of seeking professional services. Landlord Ini Sylvester echoed this, advising renters to avoid copying phone numbers from poles and to deal with registered companies and lawyers. He noted that many middlemen exist because owners—often politicians—prefer anonymity.
Agent Dele explained that multiple middlemen inflate rent, as each adds a commission, raising the final cost for tenants. Experts agree that regulating agents would increase transparency and protect residents from predatory practices, though enforcement may be challenging. Policymakers, regulators, and the private sector must collaborate to create fair, transparent, and safe housing.
Festus Adebayo, chief officer of the Housing Development Advocacy Network, decried real‑estate fraud and called for government protection of consumers. He compared the lack of regulation in real estate to the strict oversight of drug advertising by NAFDAC. The Housing Development Advocacy Network has urged the Federal Government to protect real‑estate consumers for the past two years. Tonye Eniola of the Association of Housing Corporations of Nigeria identified the absence of a regulatory body as the main cause of fraud, calling for a robust, law‑backed agency to set practical rules for real‑estate practices.
Aliyu Wamakko, president of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), offered some hope. REDAN, recognized since 2002, has a code of conduct and encourages anyone with a receipt of fraud—whether the perpetrator is a member or not—to file complaints. The association works with the EFCC and ICPC to help recover victims’ monies.
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