By Suleiman Abdulmumin
The Kogi State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Abanika Taiye, on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, met with members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) and the Nigerian Association of Agents, Kogi State Chapter, to address the growing concern over arbitrary rent increases across the state.
The meeting, held at the ministry’s conference room in Lokoja, served as a dialogue platform between the government and key stakeholders in the housing sector.
In his remarks, Hon. Abanika described the engagement as an avenue to “learn and unlearn” while exchanging ideas toward proffering lasting solutions to challenges in the sector.
He expressed concern over attempts by some individuals to portray Kogi State in bad light on social media over alleged rent exploitation. While acknowledging that property owners are entitled to returns on their investments, the commissioner stressed that adopting Abuja’s rental standards in Kogi is unfair, given the state’s ongoing economic and industrial development.
“Kogi State is predominantly occupied by civil servants. Property managers must take this peculiarity into account, rather than benchmarking rents on Abuja standards. Growth is a gradual process, and as government works to make the state more economically viable, fairness must guide the sector,” he said.
Hon. Abanika also revealed that an existing landlord-tenant law in the state is undergoing reforms to reflect present realities before full implementation. He assured stakeholders that with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s heavy investment in housing and urban renewal, the state remains open and ripe for investors.
Responding, representatives of the associations commended the government’s commitment but identified high demand and low supply as major drivers of the rent hike. They also highlighted the lack of a unified building materials market in Lokoja, rising construction costs, and high labour expenses as additional factors.
The groups advised the government to open up new residential layouts with infrastructure such as roads, water, and electricity to reduce building costs and make rents more affordable. They also urged increased investment in housing estates and pledged continued partnership with the state government to ensure decent housing for residents.