A Nigerian man seeking accommodation in Ibadan, Oyo State, has sparked widespread discussion online after a disappointing experience with a local house agent. The man, identified as Ayoola Jnr, paid the agent a non-refundable inspection fee of N20,000 to help him find a suitable self-contained apartment within his budget.
The Shocking Discovery
According to Ayoola Jnr, who shared his ordeal in a TikTok video, the agent led him to a property that was far from expectations. The apartment in question was a small self-contained unit with an asking price of N800,000 per annum. The man expressed his disbelief, noting that the agent had the audacity to describe the cramped space as "very spacious." He immediately rejected the apartment and decided to publicize the encounter to warn others.
The video of the apartment quickly went viral, drawing attention to the challenges many face in Nigeria's competitive rental market, particularly in major cities like Ibadan. The footage clearly showed a room that many netizens considered excessively small and poorly designed for the quoted price.
Nigerians React: Outrage and Similar Stories
The online community reacted with a mix of anger, humor, and shared frustration. Many commenters criticized the agent's actions, while others shared their own difficult experiences with property agents.
One TikTok user, @BIG CHI, joked about the room's layout, suggesting the obstructive pillar in the room could be used for a surprise attack. Another user, @Onyebuchukwu, stated he would have locked the agent inside to demand an explanation for the N800k valuation or a refund of his N20k.
User @eleniyanbollu highlighted the agent markup issue, commenting, "This Agent issue is serious, imagine we have 3 bedroom for rent... for 400k but Agent y total 850k." Others, like @Bukiss74, questioned the purpose of the pillar in the tiny room, while @MORAYO vowed that if she didn't get her N20k back, "1 person go reach heaven between me and the agent."
Some, like @Adewoleolukunmi, questioned the very need for an agent in Ibadan, implying that finding a house should not be so difficult there. The reactions painted a clear picture of a common sentiment: distrust and frustration with the practices of some real estate intermediaries.
A Broader Issue in the Rental Market
This incident is not isolated. It taps into a recurring narrative of tenants feeling exploited by high fees and disproportionate prices. The story references a previous report by Legit.ng where a man who rented an apartment for N2 million per year faced a drastic rent increase to over N3 million and struggled with a lack of water supply.
These stories underscore the pressing issues within Nigeria's housing sector, including affordability, transparency, and the conduct of agents. For many young professionals and individuals moving to cities like Ibadan, finding decent accommodation within a reasonable budget remains a significant hurdle, often exacerbated by intermediary fees that don't guarantee value.
The viral video serves as a cautionary tale for prospective tenants to be vigilant, conduct thorough independent inspections where possible, and carefully vet agents before committing funds. It also raises questions about the need for more standardized practices and regulation in the informal real estate agency space to protect consumers.
