The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to collaborate with state authorities to introduce regulations on house rent across the country.
The resolution was adopted during Thursday’s plenary following a motion moved by Bassey Akiba, a lawmaker representing Cross River State.
Presenting the motion, Akiba highlighted the growing economic hardship affecting individuals, families, and businesses, especially those living in rented apartments. He noted that rental costs often spike sharply after public infrastructure—such as roads, markets, or utilities—is developed in an area.
According to him, rents in parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) where new roads have been built have surged from about ₦800,000 to ₦2.5 million annually, creating unbearable financial pressure on tenants.
Akiba described the situation as “wanton exploitation” by landlords, arguing that such practices defeat the government’s efforts to improve citizens’ welfare through infrastructure projects. He warned that the trend could push struggling Nigerians into crime as they attempt to meet unreasonable rent demands.
The lawmaker stressed the need for an urgent framework that balances the rights of property owners with the welfare of tenants to promote fairness, stability, and sustainability in the housing sector.
Following deliberations, the House urged the Federal Government to invest more in affordable housing programmes to ease the demand for rental accommodation and ensure greater access to low-cost housing.
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It also directed the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to work with state governments to implement rent control measures, ensuring that the construction of public infrastructure does not trigger exploitative rent hikes.
The lawmakers proposed capping annual rent increases at a maximum of 20 percent, regardless of infrastructure upgrades or other external factors.
Additionally, the Committee on Housing and Habitat was mandated to monitor compliance and report back within four weeks for further legislative consideration.
In July, stakeholders in Nigeria’s real estate sector had warned that rising land costs remain a major driver of the nation’s housing deficit, stressing that government intervention is essential to make homes affordable for low- and middle-income earners.
