The House of Representatives has proposed a legislative measure to cap rent increases across Nigeria at no more than 20% of the existing rent, in a move aimed at curbing arbitrary rent hikes and addressing the country’s deepening housing affordability crisis.
The resolution, adopted during plenary on Wednesday in Abuja, followed a motion raised by lawmakers who expressed concern over the rising cost of accommodation, particularly in urban centres such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. They warned that the unchecked escalation of rent prices was worsening the plight of low- and middle-income earners already grappling with inflation and stagnant wages.
According to the motion, landlords and property managers have frequently imposed steep and unjustified rent increases, forcing many Nigerians into overcrowded or substandard housing conditions. Lawmakers argued that the proposed 20% ceiling would create a fairer and more predictable rental market, while giving tenants some measure of financial stability.
“The right to decent housing should not be treated as a privilege,” one lawmaker stated during the debate. “Capping rent increases is a necessary intervention to protect citizens from exploitation and to promote social equity.”
The House also urged the Federal Government to invest more heavily in affordable housing schemes, emphasizing the need for strategic partnerships with the private sector, state governments, and mortgage institutions to increase housing supply and reduce demand pressures in the rental market.
Lawmakers further called on the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to develop a comprehensive national housing policy that ensures access to affordable homes, particularly for young people, civil servants, and low-income families.
In a separate resolution, the House directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to enforce uniform and identification standards for officers at checkpoints nationwide.
The directive mandates that all personnel stationed at roadblocks and inspection points must wear full uniforms and display valid identification cards to promote accountability, reduce cases of misconduct, and align with international policing standards.
Lawmakers noted that the measure was necessary to curb abuses, extortion, and security lapses linked to unauthorized or improperly identified officers, which have undermined public confidence in law enforcement operations.
The House Committees on Housing and Police Affairs have been tasked with monitoring the implementation of both resolutions and reporting back within a specified timeframe.
