BREAKING: House of Reps Calls On FG to Regulate and Reduce House Rent Nationwide

House of Reps Calls On FG to Regulate and Reduce House Rent Nationwide

The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to regulate and reduce the cost of house rent across Nigeria in response to the rising burden on citizens.

The lawmakers made the resolution during Thursday’s plenary following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Bassey Akiba, representing Cross River State. Akiba expressed concern over the continuous surge in rent prices nationwide, describing it as a major contributor to the country’s worsening economic hardship.

He noted that rent hikes are often triggered by the development of new public infrastructure such as roads and markets, with landlords exploiting such improvements to arbitrarily increase charges. The lawmaker cited instances in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where rents reportedly rose from about ₦800,000 to as high as ₦2.5 million annually after new road projects were completed.

“This trend is a form of wanton exploitation that worsens the suffering of ordinary Nigerians,” Akiba said. “It undermines the welfare efforts of the government and forces many citizens into deeper poverty.”

Following the debate, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to collaborate with state governments to introduce effective rent control policies. Lawmakers also proposed that rent increases should not exceed 20 percent of the existing rate, regardless of infrastructure developments or other external factors.

The House further emphasized the need for greater investment in affordable housing schemes to bridge the growing gap between income levels and rent costs.

The Committee on Housing and Habitat was mandated to monitor compliance, engage relevant stakeholders, and report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.