Owerri Residents Struggle with High Rental Costs

Residents of Owerri are struggling with exorbitant house rents, making it increasingly difficult to find affordable housing. The situation is exacerbated by greedy house agents who charge high fees and trick prospective tenants.

Onyinyechi Andrew, recently transferred to Owerri, reported excessive charges from landlords and agents. Renting a room ensuite in Nekede costs between ₦180,000 and ₦360,000, while similar accommodations in New Owerri range from ₦400,000 to ₦600,000, excluding additional fees.

Two-bedroom flats are priced between ₦1.2 million and ₦2 million annually, and three-bedroom apartments range from ₦1.5 million to ₦3 million. Some duplexes exceed ₦5 million.

Many families are forced to share larger apartments to afford rent. Onyinyechi described her experience with agents who presented substandard properties and attempted to extort money from her during property inspections, illustrating the challenges faced by tenants in the current rental market.