The House of Representatives has moved to curb the rising cost of rent across Nigeria, describing the arbitrary increases as exploitative and unjustifiable.
Following a motion sponsored by Bassey Akiba, who represents Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency, the lawmakers called for legislation to ensure that rent adjustments do not exceed 20 per cent of the current amount, regardless of improvements in infrastructure or other factors.
Akiba, in his motion titled "Need to Regulate Arbitrary Rent Increase and Protect Tenants from Exploitation," argued that many Nigerians were being priced out of decent accommodation due to sudden and excessive rent hikes.
He urged the Federal Government to invest more in affordable housing schemes to ease the burden on citizens and stabilise the rental market.
The House, adopting the motion, also resolved to urge the Federal Government to prioritise low-cost housing projects as a means of tackling the growing housing crisis and reducing pressure on the rental sector.
In a related development, the House passed another resolution directing the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to ensure that officers at checkpoints are properly identified.
Lawmakers decried the practice of plainclothes officers mounting roadblocks, saying it contravened global standards and undermined public confidence in law enforcement.
Meanwhile, at the state level, the Lagos State House of Assembly had in April called on the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to enforce full compliance with the Tenancy Law of Lagos State 2015.
Furthermore, the lawmakers tasked the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, to intensify public sensitisation on the law, which prohibits unreasonable rent hikes and provides legal protection for tenants.
The resolution followed a motion by Sa’ad Olumoh, who explained the need to check exploitative rent practices that continue to worsen the housing crisis in Lagos.
Olumoh cited Section 37 of the Tenancy Law, which makes arbitrary rent increases illegal and provides recourse for tenants facing such exploitation.
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