COSTLY ROOFS: STRUGGLES OF STUDENTS WITH ESCALATING RENTS IN IFITE, AWKA.

BY JANET OBIMBA, AWKA.

Shelter is one of the most fundamental needs of man but it is alarming that it has not only become a burden but a luxury which average students in Ifite, Awka find difficult to afford. For the past three years, every year announces itself with a rise in rent across student lodges. Questions span across the region: Who is the force behind the hike? Landlords or house agents? “In 2024, my rent increased from #154,000 to #200,000. Suddenly, in January 2025, the rent increased again to #300,000 without any relevant renovation. It was not easy for me to pay the rent even though I had a roommate. If we didn’t pay on time, the caretaker would have locked our room with a 5,000 fine. That’s what he does”. Laments an anonymous tenant of University Lodge, Ifite, Awka. This and more is the experience of an average student in Ifite, Awka. Meanwhile, the concept of “roommate” is popular among students who cannot singlehandedly pay rents. Thus, the need for a co-tenant who pays the rent and enjoys equal living rights. Still, this barely eases the financial burden on students who have no option but to live three to four persons in a room. Inflation and the cost of building materials. In the world of economics, inflation is bound to happen but the rate at which it occurs calls for concern. It is no doubt that inflation in Nigeria cuts across different sectors in the country; the housing sector is not an exemption. In 2023, an average lodge rent in Ifite, Awka ranges from #100,000 to #250,000. The difference between the cost of the former and latter sometimes depends on certain factors: proximity to school, space, electricity, water, balconies and wells in times of drought. However, in 2024, the price of rents began to skyrocket. Some lodges experienced a 50% increase while others doubled. A good room with access to light, water, good space, balcony ranges from 300,000 to 700,000 depending on the location. While some lodge rents are relatively lesser, others are very expensive because they are new. This is linked to the high cost of lands and building materials. In an interview with a house agent, “land has value. Land every year increases in price. That is the main thing that makes house rent costly”. Additionally, the cost of building materials is another major contributor to the hike in rents in Ifite, Awka. This, however is in relation to newly built lodges. According to an article published by Titanium Building Solutions on their website July 3 2025, the prices of top ten building materials are highlighted: Cement Price: ₦9,500 – ₦10,200 per 50kg bag (as of July 2025), Sand Market Price: ₦85,000 – ₦150,000 per tipper, Granite Price: ₦540,000 – ₦660,000 per truckload, Iron rods: ₦920,000 – ₦1,400,000 per ton, Marine Boards: ₦17,000 – ₦59,000 per board, Roofing Sheets From aluminum to stone-coated, roofing sheets come in different grades and finishes: ₦4,200 – ₦51,000 per meter (depending on the type, size and diameter), Hollow Blocks price: ₦300 – ₦400 per block (9-inch), Binding Wire & Nails (25kg roll) ₦16,000 – ₦20,000, Water-Resistant Wood Price varies by wood type and size, Paints and Coatings (Top Brands: Dulux Nigeria, Berger Paints)Price: ₦15,000 – ₦30,000 for 20L bucket. The high cost of these building materials greatly impacts on the rent of lodges especially newly built lodges. However, some students in Ifite, Awka still complain that the rents of their old lodges are hiked. “My lodge is old. It’s not even a new lodge, still they increased the rent as if it is new”. This is the response of another occupant of University Lodge. What then could be the reason? The second occupant asserts again “they said it is for maintenance, that is why they increased the rent”. “When our caretaker told us they would increase the rent, they said it is for maintenance. He told us the doors need to be replaced with iron doors. Those staying downstairs will pay lesser While those upstairs will pay higher because they have balconies” says an occupant of executive lodge, Teezers, Ifite Awka. Landlords, House Agents and Property management agents.House agents are usually accused for the hike in price but an exclusive interview with a house agent reveals otherwise. “In this agent work, we have what is called ‘management’. Management are people that secure the building for agents to find clients. Landlord might put his rent to be #400,000. Management will put their percentage. Then if agent wants to find a house to rent out to the client, he will use 10 percent. So, if you total all those things, that is what makes rent increase”. From this statement, it is clear that the property management agents are the key players behind the hike in the rent. The agents are co-players but play minimal role.In addition to the agent fee is inspection fee. It is a sum of #5,000 which a prospective client pays to have a live view of a room before making payment. In 2023, this fee was a thousand naira. In 2025, it was increased to #5,000. The house agent previously mentioned stated that the fee is a collective agreement by fellow agents in Ifite, Awka. He revealed that students who show interest in rooms end up paying behind their back. As a form of compensation for transportation and other logistics, a fee of #5,000 must be paid by the student to the agent before inspection of a room. This he disclosed will also compensate for time spent. He further added that landlords care less about the charges added by property management agents and house agents as long as they end up getting their money. Students get caught in the web of the tripartite activities of landlords, property management agents and house agents. Students and Parents Struggles Coping in a flawed academic system as Nigeria is challenging enough; the struggle to pay rent only strengthens the hardship. Nigeria in previous years has faced numerous hikes in the price of commodities including basic necessities that ordinarily should be affordable by an average citizen. Parents struggle to send their children to school. Catering for tuition fees, and daily living costs such as feeding, cooking gas, drinking water, dues, electricity bills is so demanding yet the added pressure of paying rent. It is worthy to note that these expenses are tied to schooling thus, the duplication of expenses for parents. A disturbing challenge is the deadline for the next rent. Caretakers reportedly seal rooms and issue fines for late payment neglecting the pleas of defaulting Students. The implication is spending a night or more outside the room. This depends on when the student pays the fine. A 2023 graduate of UNIZIK narrated her ordeal with her caretaker who reportedly locked her room with a fine of #5,000. She spent some days in her friends’ room before she succeeded in paying the fine. The hike in rent comes with another challenge. Overcrowding. Some rooms in Ifite, Awka barely accommodate two persons yet, students are forced to live three to four in a room so as to split the rent. This brings about quarrels among roommates on issues as theft, taking turns in cooking, washing, and chores. “We are three in a room. Left for me, I don’t like it but I don’t have any other choice because I can’t pay the whole rent by myself. My parents can’t even afford it” says a female student of UNIZIK (name not mentioned). Some lodges reportedly, allow only two roommates per room. The outcome of this rule is that students who cannot afford rents have to go through the hurdles of securing another lodge where such (having multiple roommates) can be allowed. Even more disturbing is the non-chalant attitude of caretakers in routine maintenance of rooms despite the outrageous rents. Students still complain of bad sewage system, electrical faults, fallen ceilings. “I paid rent in my year one, they did not do any maintenance. I have been complaining about my kitchen sink and toilet. I was tired. I had to call a plumber to fix it with my money”. Laments another anonymous tenant. This is the struggle of many other students. A more disturbing issueA disturbing trend in the housing issue in Ifite, Awka is the defrauding of students by people who are disguised as house agents. The main targets of this fraudulent act are the 100 level students who are perceived as naïve and innocent. In a press release from the office of the current Student Union Government President, Comrade Chisom Samuel Ochuba, on the 23rd of January, 2026, a 100level student of UNIZIK, was defrauded of N240,000 for rent. The student was denied access to the said lodge as there was no proof of her payment to the appropriate lodge authorities. The SUG intervened and the money was recovered. Similarly, another report from the stated source above says that the sum of N435,000 was recovered from a suspect who allegedly defrauded some students at Novena Lodge, Miracle Junction, Ifite, Awka. He was said to have taken the said amount without having any affiliations with the lodge. Investigations were carried out and the suspect was arrested and the money recovered. These and more are the experiences of students especially the newly admitted students in Nnamdi Azikiwe University. Who will be the next victim? What has been done?In 2025, a committee was set up by the immediate past Student Union Government President- Student Housing Protection Committee (Shop C). The committee consisted of nine inaugurated members, and two ad hoc members. In an exclusive interview with the immediate past Student Union Government President, Giant Comrade Samuel Chinazam Eze popularly known as “Messiah of UNIZIK”, the purpose of the housing committee primarily is to assess housing policies and how they affect students, regulate agents and their activities. The president highlighted the achievements of the committee during his tenure. The committee was able to sensitize students on their rights as tenants, how to secure accommodation, and to help students resolve housing issues. The committee succeeded in achieving some of its aims. “We handled so many cases” says the SUG immediate past president. In one of the cases, the committee had to secure the release of students who were reportedly arrested by their caretaker for refusing to pay rent. The students however, were guilty of this but their actions were justified to be the refusal of their caretaker to fulfill his promises in the increase of their rent.Another notable case is that of a student who was defrauded of #350, 000. She had paid rent but denied access to the said room. The Shop C committee intervened and she got a refund of her money. These and more including issues of sublets where students disobey lodge rules were handled by SHOP C committee. According to Giant Comrade Samuel, “We handled over 100 cases. One year is not enough”. Following the end of the 2024/2025 academic session, a new set of leaders were elected in the Students Union Government led by Rotr. Giant Comrade Ochuba Chisom Samuel. In response to the ongoing housing crises in Ifite, Awka, the32nd SUG house has taken active measures to protect UNIZIK students from the mishaps of housing problems. This includes the recovery of money from unscrupulous agents, fighting unlawful eviction and creating channels through which students can lay complaints about pressing housing issues.Way Forward The Government of Anambra State should take quick actions to curb the outrageous rents especially in students areas. Licenses should be given to house agents. An agreed price should be stipulated for lodges according to categories. Again, unlawful eviction by caretakers and landlords should be thoroughly looked into. These landlords take advantage of students who have little or no knowledge of their rights. The Nnamdi Azikiwe University management should include accommodation awareness as part of orientation exercise for year one students. This would help them to be armed with adequate information on how to secure accommodation the right way.