No King is a Tenant

It has often been emphasised that owning a personal home is one of life’s necessities and a crucial milestone for any working adult.

Growing up in Benin City, one of the major cities in South-South Nigeria, it was common to see almost every family living in their own property. It was a beautiful sight—fathers sitting outside their compounds at sunset, under the moonlight, sharing stories and meals with their wives and children.

However, as I progressed in life, my first real experience of leaving the comfort of my family home—beyond my time at university, when I would return home during the holidays—was during my mandatory one-year national youth service in the Federal Capital Territory.

Fortunately, I had an uncle who was an Assistant Inspector General in the police force. He had a reserved apartment in his personal compound in the highbrow Wuse district for close family members posted to Abuja for the service year. This arrangement helped me immensely, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Abuja. I even discreetly accommodated a fellow corps member who had struggled to find a place to stay.

However, this arrangement was strictly for the duration of the service year. Once it ended, those who wished to remain in Abuja had to secure a job and find their accommodation. My uncle’s priority was ensuring that every close family member undergoing national youth service had a safe and comfortable place to stay—nothing beyond that.

Fast forward to post-NYSC life in Abuja, and this is where the inspiration for today’s discussion truly began.

I was fortunate to find a job, but without any accommodation benefits, I had to commute from Keffi in neighbouring Nasarawa State. To say this experience was an eye-opener regarding the importance of owning a personal home would be an understatement.

After more than two decades in the Federal Capital Territory, I have become a firm advocate for prioritising homeownership, no matter the location. One of the worst things that can happen to an adult in later years is not having personal property and being at the mercy of others for shelter. The reality is harsh—once the initial excitement of hosting you fades, so does your dignity.

No king is a tenant. No queen should live in a rented apartment. True royalty resides in the security of their own home.

For young adults—both men and women—living in a developing city, securing your property should be a top priority as soon as you start earning. Ladies, spending hundreds of thousands of naira on wigs, designer bags, or other fleeting luxuries while owning no land is not a wise decision. When it comes to homeownership, no location is “too far”.

Gain wisdom early. If you haven’t started, now is the time. Seek the right information. Lay one block at a time. Before long, you’ll be amazed at how possible it is to own a home.

Always remember: no king is a tenant. No true queen lives in a rented apartment.

You feel me?

Sharoneez Emephia