Nigeria, Sept. 4 -- What if you woke up tomorrow to discover your rent had been doubled? Would you spontaneously adjust to it without pressure? What is behind the shocking rent hikes in many cities in Nigeria, particularly Lagos and Abuja? Inflation, right? As food and fuel prices soar, landlords in these cities are increasingly passing the heat onto tenants sharply, some demanding rent increases as high as 150% without any hindrance. A two-bedroom apartment in Lekki that once cost 1.5 million now goes for 2.2 million.

The housing vulnerability in Nigeria has reached alarming proportions, and situation is not only a challenge for the economy but also a source of immense stress for ordinary Nigerians, many of whom struggle to keep up wit...