Abraka Residents Struggle With Rising House Rent As Landlords, Agents Blame Worsening Economy

By Naomi Nwarimoya

Students and residents of Abraka have continued to lament over the sharp increase in the cost of accommodation in the university town, noting that the alleged uncontrolled practice among landlords and house agents has placed heavy financial burdens on them and their sponsors.

This is coming even as landlords and house agents have dismissed claims of selfishness in accommodation pricing and agency service charges within the university town.

In separate interviews over the weekend, the students and residents observed that the rising cost of house rent has made schooling difficult for them.

One of the interviewees, Precious Chukwunana, a-300 level student of Theatre Arts at DELSU said the rise in house rent has become difficult to cope with, especially with the added responsibility of paying school fees, school dues, transportation and related expenses.

Chukwunana claimed that many landlord in the town have continued to increase their annual rents without proper notice or improvements to the houses, adding that many of the houses lack basic facilities yet the rents keep going up every year with its attendant financial pressure on the occupants.

Also commenting on the issue, Veronica Ophori, a-400 level student of Science Laboratory Technology, explained that the challenge is further exacerbated by agents and caretakers who collect outrageous Commission at virtually chain of the rental business.

Ophori said that after paying house rents which is already on high range, students are often asked to pay outrageous agent fees, caution fees and other unnecessary charges.

“These fees are too much. Imagine students who fend for themselves, how are they expected to cope?”, she queried.

She asserted that students are not asking for luxury but fairness, understanding, and consideration that could guarantee a conducive environment for them to study.

While sharing her personal experience in securing apartment in Abraka, Favour Agbonifo, a-300 level student of Philosophy disclosed how she initially paid ₦350,000 as her annual rent with assurances of no further increment from her only for her rent to be raised to a whopping ₦500,000 the following year despite the apartment lacking basic facilities.

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In her case, Agbonifor claimed that the tenants were further required to pay separate service charges for neighbourhood security, waste management and electricity.

She narrated that the unexpected increment triggered several complaints from the occupants, forcing the landlord to reduce the rent to ₦420,000 but with a condition that the occupants will be responsible for the repairs of the compound generator

Miss Ajiri Obaduemu, an alumnae of DELSU, also expressed concern over the worrisome development, noting that the situation was relatively better in 2021 when she graduated.

According to Obaduemu, looking back at her time on campus between 2017 and 2021 versus the reality for students in 2026, the shift in housing costs is nothing short of breathtaking.

“You could get a self contained apartment for between ₦80,000 and ₦150,000 back then, compared to now where modern lodges charge as much as ₦550,000 to ₦700,000, depending on proximity to the campus gate, availability of steady water, or security”, she explained with noticeable regrets.

She urged the Delta State Government and management of DELSU to wade into the matter and relieve students of house-related burden.

Mr. Francis Oghenerukewean, another ex-student of DELSU who also resides in Abraka,blamed the situation on the alleged selfish interest of house owners, claiming that many landlords raise rents for selfish reasons and merely use the prices of nearby hostels as justification for the hike.

Commenting on the issue however, a landlord in Abraka, Mr. Edward Egodo, explained that the increase in house rent was not intended to exploit students, noting that landlords were also affected by the rising cost of living in Nigeria, including payments for carpentry work, landlord association dues and levies paid to the local government, which have continued to increase over time.

On his part, Mr. Divine Ibe, who is an agent in Abraka, said agency fees were not always high as being alleged, explaining that the charges depend on the type of service offered.

Ibe said, “the normal agency fee for rentals is about 10 percent, while for land deals it is usually 5 percent. If an agent charges a fee that is up to half the cost of the rent, then that can be considered extortion of the client.”