Housing Crisis: Analyst Warns Millions Face Poverty, Urges Tinubu To Act

Human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju has warned that millions of Nigerians risk being pushed deeper into poverty by the worsening housing and rental crisis, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take urgent steps to address it.

Adeyanju, in an open letter to the President, called for the declaration of a state of emergency in Nigeria’s housing sector, describing the rising cost of accommodation, exploitative tenancy practices, and the widening housing deficit as a national challenge requiring immediate government intervention.

He said the situation, particularly in major urban centres such as Abuja and Lagos, had made decent accommodation increasingly unaffordable for many Nigerians, including middle-income earners, civil servants, young professionals and low-income families.

According to him, Nigeria’s housing market has become increasingly exploitative, with landlords, estate agents and property speculators imposing excessive charges that have placed additional financial pressure on citizens.

The activist argued that access to shelter should be treated as a fundamental right rather than a commodity available only to those who can afford rising market prices.

“A house is more than just a shelter; it is a space where human dignity takes root. Today, that dignity is under systemic siege in Nigeria. Shelter is not a luxury product reserved for the highest bidder but a fundamental human right and a core responsibility of government,” he stated.

Adeyanju based his call on constitutional provisions, citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that the security and welfare of Nigerians shall be the primary purpose of government.

He also referenced Sections 16(1)(b) and 16(2)(d), which mandate the state to ensure suitable and adequate shelter for citizens and prevent excessive concentration of wealth.

The lawyer further pointed to Nigeria’s obligations under Article 11(1) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), which recognises adequate housing as part of the right to an adequate standard of living.

Adeyanju lamented that the rental market in major cities had become increasingly difficult for ordinary Nigerians, with many tenants facing demands for two or three years’ rent in advance, along with multiple charges.

He accused some landlords and estate agents of imposing arbitrary fees, including agency charges, legal fees, service charges and caution fees, which he described as burdensome and exploitative.

According to him, agency fees in some cases range from 10 to 20 per cent of the annual rent, while legal fees are sometimes charged for tenancy agreements allegedly prepared without the involvement of qualified legal practitioners.

He also criticised unregulated service charges, saying many tenants are made to pay fees without adequate transparency or accountability, while caution fees are rarely refunded after tenancy agreements expire.

Adeyanju warned that failure to address the housing crisis could worsen economic hardship, increase corruption and force more Nigerians into informal settlements.

He also linked the housing challenge to urban renewal programmes, cautioning that redevelopment projects should not lead to the displacement of ordinary citizens.

According to him, urban renewal must provide affordable housing options for artisans, civil servants, remote workers, job seekers and other essential workers who contribute to the growth of Nigerian cities.

“When urban renewal simply translates to gentrification, mass evictions and pricing out the essential workforce, it ceases to be development. It becomes social violence,” he said.

The activist urged the Federal Government to adopt global best practices in housing regulation, citing Ghana’s Rent Act, which limits advance rent payments and provides enforcement mechanisms for tenancy regulations.

He recommended establishing a Special Presidential Task Force on Rental Reform, chaired by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, with a 90-day mandate to develop a National Housing and Tenancy Policy and to propose legislation on fair rent standards.

Adeyanju also called for mandatory affordable-housing quotas in urban renewal projects and federal housing schemes to ensure that low- and middle-income Nigerians are not excluded from city development.

Among his proposed reforms, he urged the government to cap combined agency and legal fees at 7.5 per cent of annual rent, while service charges should not exceed five per cent of annual rent and must be transparently itemised and audited.

He further proposed limiting advance rent payments to a maximum of 1 year, with a gradual transition to monthly rent payments nationwide.

The lawyer called for the abolition of caution fees except where they are refundable and supported by verified evidence of property damage.

To strengthen enforcement, Adeyanju proposed creating a Digital Tenant Reporting Platform, supported by an ombudsman and a rapid-response mechanism, through which tenants can report exploitative practices.

He also advocated stronger penalties, including civil sanctions, criminal consequences and professional disciplinary measures for landlords and property agents found guilty of violating tenancy regulations.

Adeyanju urged increased investment in affordable housing through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), tax incentives, and targeted government interventions to expand access to decent accommodation.

He maintained that the Tinubu administration would ultimately be judged not only by economic indicators but also by its ability to protect the welfare and dignity of ordinary Nigerians.

He urged the President to act swiftly, stressing that access to decent housing remains both a constitutional responsibility and a fundamental human right.