Fred Nwaozor Across Nigeria today, securing a roof over one’s head is gradually becoming an economic battle rather than a basic necessity. House rents have risen sharply in many cities, towns and university communities, leaving ordinary and average families struggling to reconcile accommodation costs with food, education, healthcare, transportation and other essential expenses. In places such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Owerri and several university towns, tenants are increasingly confronted with rents that bear little relationship to average incomes. The situation is particularly disturbing because salaries and other legitimate sources of income have not risen at the same pace as accommodation costs. Consequently, a growing number of Nigerians are spending an unreasonable proportion of their earnings simply to remain housed. The problem becomes even more troubling when one considers the additional charges that frequently accompany rent. A te...