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Opinion

End Housing Agent Monopoly Choking Abuja Residents

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By Adé Yẹmí

Abuja residents are facing a growing crisis that threatens the very foundation of affordable housing in the city: the unchecked dominance of housing agents.

Originally intended to connect tenants with property owners, these intermediaries have increasingly morphed into profiteers, creating a suffocating stranglehold on the housing market and making it progressively harder for ordinary citizens to access decent homes.

Today, Abuja’s real estate market has spiraled into an unsustainable mess, driven largely by the excessive involvement of agents. Rather than bridge the gap between landlords and tenants, many agents now inflate rental prices, complicate transactions, and impose arbitrary fees, all aimed at maximizing their own profit.

It has become commonplace for prospective tenants to encounter multiple agents for a single property, each demanding their cut without providing real value.

One of the most glaring issues is the unpredictability of housing costs. While agents claim to represent landlords, evidence shows they often drive up rents to secure higher commissions.

This practice has pushed formerly affordable areas beyond the reach of average residents, with rents rising by as much as 20 to 30 percent annually without any meaningful improvements in housing quality or amenities.

Beyond the financial burden, the absence of regulation has opened the door to exploitation. Agents routinely demand large upfront payments for substandard or even non-existent properties, leaving many residents in legal limbo.

Those who challenge these exploitative practices often face threats or are simply told to “take it or leave it” in a market where housing demand far outpaces supply.

Compounding the problem is the lack of accountability. Without a central regulatory authority to oversee their operations, agents are free to manipulate the market with little fear of consequences.

Their unchecked influence has created a toxic environment that prioritizes personal gain over fairness, transparency, and the well-being of Abuja residents.

What Abuja needs is not a temporary fix but a systemic overhaul.

The government must urgently regulate the housing agent industry to restore sanity to the market. Setting standardized service charges, enforcing transparent dealings, and controlling arbitrary price inflation are critical first steps.

A centralized database where tenants can verify agents and properties would also help curb fraud and exploitation.

Moreover, landlords should be encouraged to deal directly with tenants, reducing dependence on agents who have hijacked the process.

Technology can play a key role here, offering digital platforms that connect landlords and tenants transparently and affordably.

Abuja is a city of opportunity and immense potential. Yet, the growing dominance of housing agents threatens to suffocate that promise, forcing many to flee the city in search of affordable living.

If left unchecked, this crisis will erode the very fabric that makes Abuja a vibrant place to live, work, and dream.

This fight is about more than affordability; it is about fairness, transparency, and building a sustainable future for the people of Abuja. The time to act is now.

Opinion

Trump’s Outburst and the Vindication of President Tinubu

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By Foluso Ojo Sylvanus

When Donald Trump sneezes, the political world catches a cold. Love him or loathe him, one thing you can’t deny is his brutal honesty or, to put it more bluntly, his lack of diplomatic restraint. And that, precisely, is what makes his recent action toward Nigeria all the more revealing.

For years, detractors have tried to stain the image of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with every imaginable accusation from certificate forgery to phantom drug links in the United States. The propaganda was relentless, and many began to wonder if there might be a grain of truth somewhere in the noise. But Trump’s recent behavior has made something crystal clear to me: those allegations are nothing but lies from the pit of hell.

Let’s think about it. As a president of the United States, Trump has access to some of the most classified information in the world. If there were any credible evidence tying Tinubu to those allegations, Trump would know. And knowing his fiery, unfiltered style, he would have wasted no time spilling it to the world especially now that he seems desperate for opportunities to discredit Nigeria and ridicule Tinubu’s government.

But he hasn’t. Not a word. Not a whisper.

That silence speaks louder than a thousand tweets. It tells me that there’s simply nothing there no hidden file, no scandal, no secret waiting to explode. Because if there were, Trump would have been the first to weaponize it.

This is the same Trump who has insulted world leaders without blinking, who has mocked allies and enemies alike, who once called entire nations “shitholes.” Are we to believe that such a man would quietly hold on to damning information about Nigeria’s president out of respect or restraint? Certainly not.

His silence, therefore, becomes an unintended testimony a silent vindication of Tinubu’s integrity.

What this moment reveals is deeper than politics. It exposes how easily falsehood can masquerade as fact in our social media-driven age. For too long, we’ve allowed political opponents to define the narratives that shape our national image abroad. But now, even the world’s most outspoken leader has unintentionally confirmed what many of us have always believed: Tinubu’s story is not one of scandal but of survival, strategy, and statesmanship.

In a strange twist of irony, Donald Trump a man not exactly known for diplomacy may have just done more to clear President Tinubu’s name than all the press conferences in Abuja combined.

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Health

Mould: The Silent Threat to Health and Homes

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By Huldah Shado

 

Mould is a type of fungus found naturally both indoors and outdoors. While it plays a vital role in breaking down organic matter in nature, its presence in homes and workplaces can cause serious health and structural problems.

Mould spreads through microscopic spores that thrive in warm, damp environments, forming colonies on walls, ceilings, fabrics, and furniture.

Moisture is the leading cause of mould growth. Leaking roofs, broken pipes, flooding, or poor ventilation create ideal conditions for it to thrive.

Materials like paper, wood, and textiles easily absorb moisture, becoming breeding grounds for mould.

In humid regions like Nigeria, the risk is higher, particularly in buildings with poor ventilation or drainage.

Prolonged exposure to mould can trigger coughing, sneezing, eye irritation, and skin rashes. For people with asthma, allergies, or weak immune systems, the effects can be severe, leading to respiratory complications.

Some moulds even produce toxic mycotoxins, which can cause chronic illness if inhaled or ingested over time.

Beyond health concerns, mould weakens surfaces, causes discolouration, peeling paint, and unpleasant odours, and can lead to costly structural damage if ignored.

Early detection and prompt action are essential. Prevention remains the best defense.

Fix leaks quickly, dry wet areas, and ensure proper ventilation, especially in kitchens and bathrooms. Regular cleaning and inspection of hidden areas can also help.

Ultimately, controlling moisture is key. A clean, dry, and well-ventilated home is not only healthier, it safeguards comfort, property, and peace of mind.

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Opinion

How Ignoring Tech Skills Could End Your Career

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By Onilede Titi Faith

The 2025 World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report projects that industrial, demographic, and technological shifts will displace about 92 million jobs globally within the next five years, while creating around 170 million new ones.

The future of work is not shrinking, but it is radically transforming.

A joint study by the International Labour Organization (ILO), and Poland’s NASK shows that one in four jobs worldwide is being reshaped by generative artificial intelligence (GenAI).

Though this doesn’t always mean job loss, it demands a major shift in required skills.

Similarly, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), reports that jobs most exposed to AI see their skill requirements evolve 66% faster than others.

Without active upskilling, many professionals could quickly find their expertise outdated.

A Business Insider investigation further revealed that entry-level hiring in sectors like tech, finance, and consulting is declining as AI now handles tasks once assigned to junior staff.

Choosing not to acquire digital and tech-oriented skills is no longer an option-it’s a risk. Even if your job isn’t automated, the tasks that define it might be.

Experts recommend continuous learning in areas such as digital marketing, data analytics, AI literacy, and cross-platform advertising.

At the same time, nurturing human-centric skills; storytelling, creativity, strategy, and empathy, remains essential, as these are where machines still fall short.

In today’s fast-evolving world, the message is clear: learn, adapt, or be left behind.

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