House Hunting In Benin City from Ugbowo to G.r.a and its extensions(somewhere that’s outskirts oh) is almost now parallel to Ikorodu- Lekki because I don’t understand what these agents are stating not just for the rents but agency fees too. Real estate is the new oil money and boy, are people ready to dig in. The naira has completely crumbled but is that a cause for this hike in rent in a country where the minimum wage is 30,000 naira? It’s hard, to make a living and survive in Nigeria. To live in comfort has become such a luxury, really there was a country.
The curse of Lagos has found its way to Benin city along the Ore express and we have no bridges to meet at or sleep under because that’s where some of us might end up if we welcome in this madness. The country is rugged and everyone is trying to make ends meet including house owners but surely not at this outrageous amount.
If only we were in a country where regulatory bodies work and are effective then maybe something can be done to curb this show of madness but like always we would adapt.
Some students don’t want to live in the affordable hostels provided by their federal school which is usually faced with unlivable conditions, their last and only resort is an out-campus apartment and yes, they are quite pricey. And the landlords do not care, now there’s segregation within these areas because of price when in fact it’s the same area, with the same quality of life and insecurities. For example, the Ekosodin, BDPA, and Osasogie living situations.
Shared Experience
“My house agent said 100K for agency fee, I said fine, make that 95k after you minus the 5k for viewing since we all want to be mad in this Benin,” says Eseosa 26
”Why am I paying 90k for security and waste management when the gateman is nowhere to be found and with this fence that I can cross over with just a jump” says Osamagbe 24
The house might be in its worst state and be deep into the streets of Irhirhi or Amagba but trust your house agent to scream over the phone ”E nor far, give the Keke man the phone make I tell am where he go drop una after the 100 poles”, somehow 5 minutes walk is 1 hour via a tricycle.
Why is it called G.R.A extension when we all know truthfully that this place is Sapele, Delta state, and the facade that we’ve all chosen to believe that it is truly part of our lovely Benin city? Because why is it so far ????? Why pay ridiculous rent when I have no neighbors and I’m surrounded by bushes, am I in an evil forest? If I’m going to jump three public transport please don’t call me.
If you’re going to show me a property the least you can do is ensure the items owned by previous occupiers have been properly evacuated because tell me why I am seeing native chalk and things that looked like I have entered the home of Ayelala. Now I have to get a priest (whether juju man or man of God) for a housewarming party, a house that is not in my father’s name.
There are all kinds of fees when it comes to house hunting, brace yourself, people. It will never be okay that a 2 bedroom apartment total 1 million naira all fees included, even if there’s a swimming pool between both rooms.
What to eat while you navigate or not navigate this madness? Because you must eat?
The best food vendor in Benin city is all about you . If you want mouth-tasting meals Foet Kitchen got you. Order that Banga soup and starch, egusi, ogbono, and bowls of soup by contacting +2349063246703 and check out Instagram HERE
While you enjoy your meal from Foet Kitchen catch up on some amazing youtube series. House Hunting In Benin City is a different kind of crazy right now and our projection is it might get wilder this year.
If you’d love to share your experience with us drop a comment or contact us. We hope you enjoyed this.
