Do you know the cost of renting a one-bedroom flat in Abuja, Yola and Lagos?

Yes, I do, and that is precisely why I am concerned.

The price of a one-bedroom flat varies significantly depending on the area. In Abuja, you can find one-bedroom accommodation for around ₦1 million in some of the outskirts, while in more central areas it can cost ₦3 million, ₦5 million or even more per year. In Lagos, the difference is just as wide: modest areas may be around ₦1 million, while rents in places such as Lekki, Victoria Island and Ikoyi can run into several millions of naira annually. Yola is generally cheaper than Abuja and Lagos, but rent there has also become increasingly difficult for ordinary families to afford.

But the more important question is not whether I can quote the price of a flat. It is whether a Nigerian earning an honest living can afford decent housing without spending most of his or her income on rent.

That is the problem government must address: the cost of living, the shortage of affordable housing, access to housing finance, and most importantly, the income and purchasing power of Nigerians. Knowing the price is important; having a plan to make decent housing affordable is even more important.