Tenants of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) prototype housing estate in Lugbe, Abuja, have petitioned the Council’s leadership over a proposed rent increase to ₦3 million per annum.
In a letter addressed to NSCIA Secretary-General, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the residents described the increment as “exorbitant and unjustifiable,” insisting that the condition of the houses does not warrant such a hike.
They claimed that the buildings were in poor shape when they moved in, forcing many of them to carry out extensive renovations at personal expense, including replastering walls, fixing sanitary fittings, installing boreholes, repairing water systems, and fitting doors, windows, kitchen cabinets, and prepaid meters.
The tenants argued that the improved state of the apartments is due to their own investments rather than any upgrades by NSCIA. They also noted that similar old Federal Housing Authority (FHA) 3-bedroom houses in Lugbe rent for between ₦500,000 and ₦600,000 annually.
“The proposed ₦3 million rent is excessive, far above prevailing market rates, and ignores the financial contributions of tenants who have renovated and maintained these properties themselves,” the petition reads.
They suggested that a more reasonable rent would not exceed ₦1 million annually, in line with market realities and the structural limitations of the aging buildings.
The tenants further explained that none of them has stayed less than three years in the estate, with some residing there for up to 20 years. They admitted that a few tenants had defaulted on rent for two to three years but said most had paid up, while the rest pledged to settle arrears before December.
They appealed to Prof. Oloyede to show compassion and reconsider the increment. As of press time, NSCIA had yet to respond to the petition.
