‘We’re Gasping for Air!’: Lokoja Tenants cry out as rent hikes spiral out of control

By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.

In Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, a housing crisis is brewing, and tenants are raising the alarm over what they describe as “ruthless and unchecked rent hikes” that are fast turning decent living into a luxury.

Standard Times Nigeria learnt that in recent years, rents in Lokoja have skyrocketed to shocking levels. A two-bedroom apartment that once rented for N250,000 now costs anywhere between N700,000 and N900,000, an increase many residents say is not only unjustified but also inhumane.

“We Are Working for Landlords, Not Our Families,” Kogi civil servants cry for help.

Civil servants and low-income earners, the backbone of Lokoja’s workforce, say they are now spending the bulk of their earnings just to keep a roof over their heads. The recent implementation of the national minimum wage in Kogi State, a move meant to bring relief, is being neutralized by skyrocketing housing costs.

“What’s the point of a wage increase when landlords take it all?” a frustrated government worker asked. “We are no longer living; we are simply paying rent.”

Landlords, Agents Accused of Exploitation

Tenants allege that landlords and housing agents are capitalizing on the housing shortage to extort renters. With no regulatory checks in place, rent increases are often imposed without notice or justification.

“This is not just economic exploitation, it’s a social crisis in the making,” said Yusuf Abdussamad, a lecturer at Kogi State Polytechnic. “The greed we are witnessing will only deepen inequality and frustration if not curbed.”

Calls for Government Action Grow Louder

Amid the growing discontent, citizens are calling on Governor Usman Ododo to take swift and decisive action. Four urgent steps have been proposed to alleviate the burden:

Introduce Rent Control Legislation: Prevent arbitrary and excessive rent increases.
Create a Housing Regulatory Body: Monitor landlord practices and enforce fair housing policies.

Provide Home Loans for Civil Servants: Empower workers to own homes through low-interest government-backed loans.

Invest in Affordable Housing Projects: Launch state-funded developments to meet rising housing demands.

The Time to Act Is Now

Residents warn that the longer the government delays, the deeper the crisis will grow.

“The cries of tenants in Lokoja are real and urgent,” Abdussamad said. “We are suffocating under the weight of unchecked rent hikes. Governor Ododo must act now—not just for civil servants, but for the dignity of every citizen in Kogi State.”