Discrimination Against Residential Tenants in Ilorin, Nigeria: Prevalence, Bases and Consequences

Discrimination in tenant selection remains a growing concern in Nigeria, although its prevalence and underlying bases vary across states. In view of this, the study explores the lived experiences of residential tenants facing discrimination when securing accommodation in Ilorin, Nigeria. A snowball sampling technique was adopted to reach vulnerable and often marginalized groups, such as single women, divorced individuals, and widows. A total of 120 tenants (20 from each selected neighbourhood) who had experienced one or more forms of discrimination were surveyed using both structured questionnaires and interviews. Respondents’ income and occupation were excluded as core discrimination variables, as they are generally recognized as valid tenant screening criteria. Instead, the study focused on social identity-related variables, such as gender, marital status, ethnicity, religion, disability, and political affiliation. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) were used to summarize tenant characteristics, while Chi-square tests examined associations between key variables. Findings show that tenants experienced discrimination on multiple grounds, with marital status and gender emerging as the most commonly reported bases in Ilorin. Reported consequences include limited access to preferred housing, emotional distress, and perceived violations of the right to adequate housing. The study recommends, among others, the establishment of accessible reporting mechanisms to allow tenants to safely report discriminatory practices and seek redress.