In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, several low-income Nigerians sleep in cars, uncompleted buildings, and other makeshift shelters as a result of soaring rent prices and limited affordable housing options.
The FCT is often perceived as a city of opportunity, attracting thousands of Nigerians seeking refuge from poverty and insecurity in their hometowns.
With its modern infrastructure, skyscrapers, and status as the “Centre of Unity,” Abuja is viewed as a house of riches. However, a report by Aminya, a Hausa version of Daily Trust revealed that, for many low-income individuals, the city has become a place of struggle for survival.
According to data from Macrotrend, Abuja’s population has surged by over 22.81% from 2020 to 2024, increasing from 3.28 million to 4.03 million residents. This rapid growth is driven by Nigerians fleeing violence, poverty, and instability in other parts of the country, in search of a better life in the capital.
The findings suggest that despite its outward appearance of wealth and development, Abuja’s rapidly growing population has led to a severe housing crisis.
Skyrocketing rental prices have forced many residents to seek shelter in uncompleted buildings, abandoned structures, and even cars. These makeshift homes, far from the city’s luxurious reputation, are often unsafe and lack basic amenities.
One example is an unfinished hospital building in the Utako area, now home to over 100 people, including children.
The building, devoid of proper sanitation facilities, emits a strong smell of urine and decay. Its residents, who have converted corners of the building into makeshift bedrooms and kitchens, struggle to maintain even a basic level of comfort.
Realities of City Life
Among hundreds of those living in the unfinished hospital is Binta Yahuza, a 42-year-old woman who fled Katsina State due to escalating violence.
With five children and three orphans in her care, Binta came to Abuja hoping for peace and the chance to rebuild her life.
However, like several others, her journey to the capital was fraught with hardship, and the reality she found was far from the dreams she had envisioned.
“We cannot stay in Katsina because of the instability,” Binta says, her voice trembling as she recounts her journey. “Here in Abuja, we expected peace and the opportunity to build a good life, but life is full of troubles.”
Binta is one of the 24.4 million Nigerians classified as homeless by the World Population Organization, reflecting the dire living conditions faced by millions across the country.
Nigeria was identified as the most environmentally unfriendly country in the world in 2023, describing the bitter realities of life for those living in unsafe or unsuitable environments.
For many low-income Nigerians, the dream of a better life in Abuja remains elusive. The city’s reputation as a land of opportunity is overshadowed by the harsh realities of poverty, homelessness, and struggle for survival.
As Abuja continues to grow, so is the plight of its most vulnerable residents’ in search for housing.
