The move by some state governments to ban housing agents has sparked mixed reactions across the country, with critics accusing agents of worsening Nigeria’s rental crisis, while others argue they remain vital intermediaries in the housing sector.
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Over the years, Nigerians have continued to lament the alleged exploitative practices of some agents, whom they blame for arbitrary charges and skyrocketing rent prices.
Barrister Idongesit Williams welcomed the ban, describing the activities of many agents as unfair. “For instance, landlords may give out a property at N1 million, but agents collect as much as N1.5 million. This is especially common in Abuja, Lagos, and parts of the South East and South South. It’s heart-warming that Ebonyi, Plateau, and Lagos are addressing it,” he said.
A tenant, Basil Okafor, also backed the measure, insisting that landlords should deal directly with tenants. “I have suffered in the hands of these agents. They charge as high as N10,000 for inspections, even when you don’t like the property. Some even inflate rents without landlords’ consent,” he lamented.
However, a trader, Bawa Kaka, opposed the outright ban, urging states to regulate rather than abolish agents’ roles. “These guys are vital in the property sector. Not all of them are bad. If banned, many may turn to social vices. They should be legally integrated to separate the good from the bad,” he advised.
Some agents pushed back against the ban, arguing they are being scapegoated for broader economic problems.
Abakaliki-based agent, Kasim Samu, said: “As of early 2025, rents in Abakaliki have doubled. A one-room that cost N200,000 now goes for N400,000. We agents try to mediate between landlords and tenants, but government sees us as a threat. Many of us have been in this job for over 10 years.”
Similarly, Nasarawa agent, Bawa Bulus, argued that inflation, high demand, and limited housing stock are the real causes of rising rents. “In places like Mararaba and Kubwa, demand far outweighs supply. That’s why rents are high. Our commission is a standard 10–20% after successful transactions,” he explained.
In Ebonyi, Governor Francis Nwifuru announced that from January 2026, house and land agents will no longer operate in the state. He accused them of charging exploitative fees sometimes up to N500,000 for properties they don’t own.
“I don’t want to see or hear anything about house or land agents in Ebonyi from 2026. This exploitation must stop,” he declared.
The Ebonyi State House of Assembly is currently reviewing a Rent Regulation Bill to provide a legal framework for the reform.
Similarly, Plateau State recently passed a law banning agent-driven housing practices in Jos and across the state. Sponsored by Minority Leader Rt. Hon. Dewan Gabriel, the bill seeks to eliminate multiple charges and unregulated agent fees in rental transactions.
Meanwhile, Lagos has taken a different approach, requiring mandatory registration with the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA). According to Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, unregistered practice is now illegal and subject to sanctions.
Checks revealed that, apart from Lagos, no other state currently has a comprehensive real estate regulatory law.
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