Women in Sokoto State have raised concerns over the rising cost of housing, saying it has become a major barrier preventing many men from getting married.
Speaking during an interview with Daily Trust, a woman who chose to remain anonymous explained that many willing couples are unable to move forward with marriage plans due to unaffordable rent. She said: “We want to marry, but our men simply cannot afford rent”.
Estate agents in the state have also confirmed that the cost of basic housing has risen sharply, placing it beyond the reach of many households.
One resident, Alhaji Murtala Falke, described the current situation, stating: “A single room with running water now costs N300,000, while a self-contained unit goes for N400,000 and above. A two-bedroom flat costs between N1.5 million and N2 million annually,”.
According to him, many houses have remained empty for years because landlords insist on charging high prices. He added: “I have almost 50 clients—most of them grooms-to-be—waiting for houses, but there is simply nothing available,”.
Falke also criticised wealthy property owners in the state, saying: “Our wealthy people lack compassion,” and “In states like Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Zamfara, houses are far more affordable. But here, our rich people refuse to help.”
The housing crisis has also affected senior officials. The Director General of the Sokoto Hisbah Commission, Malam Nura Attahiru, revealed that two of his children are ready for marriage but housing challenges persist. He said: “I paid N1.3 million for one house and N1.4 million for another, despite the repairs needed. But ten days later, the landlords returned my money and cancelled the agreements,”.
Highlighting the rising cost of construction, Falke further explained: “Secondly, building materials have become prohibitively expensive”. He added: “A bag of cement now costs about N9,000. A tipper of sand that previously sold for N50,000 now costs N150,000.”
