Human Rights Lawyer Urges President to Address Housing Crisis in Nigeria
Deji Adeyanju, a prominent human rights lawyer and activist, is urging President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in response to the escalating housing and rental crisis in Nigeria. He warns that soaring rents and exploitative practices are driving millions of Nigerians deeper into poverty.
In an open letter to the President, Adeyanju characterized the housing conditions in Abuja and Lagos as a “silent and painful erosion of human dignity.” He calls for immediate constitutional and policy interventions from the federal government to safeguard tenants’ rights and enhance access to affordable housing.
Arguing that adequate shelter is a basic human right rather than a privilege, Adeyanju referenced Articles 14 and 16 of the 1999 Constitution and Nigeria’s commitments under international human rights law. He emphasized that housing should be a priority for the government, stating, “Shelter is a fundamental human right, an essential foundation of human existence, and a core responsibility of governments.”
Adeyanju criticized the unchecked exploitation of tenants by landlords, real estate agents, and speculators, who impose exorbitant rents and various fees. He noted that ordinary Nigerians are increasingly unable to find affordable housing, stating that middle-income earners, civil servants, young professionals, and vulnerable families are routinely extorted.
He cautioned that the ongoing urban renewal program could backfire if it displaces the very residents who contribute to the vitality of Nigeria’s cities. “When urban renewal devolves into mere gentrification and mass displacement, it ceases to be development and becomes an act of social violence,” he said.
Adeyanju’s recommendations include the establishment of a Presidential Task Force on Rental Reform, tasked with creating a comprehensive housing and rental policy within 90 days. He suggested that this task force prepare a Presidential Bill for rental reforms to be submitted to the National Assembly if needed.
In addition, he proposed significant reforms, such as imposing a legal cap of 7.5% on combined agent and legal fees, limiting service fees to 5% of annual rent, restricting prepaid rent to one year, and banning non-refundable warning fees. Adeyanju also advocated for a digital platform to empower tenants to report violations by landlords and agents, with strict penalties for offenders.
Advocates for housing rights have repeatedly called for stronger regulations in Nigeria’s rental market. They argue that the absence of a cohesive national rental framework leaves tenants vulnerable to arbitrary charges and predatory practices. The urgency for reform is underscored by the skyrocketing rent prices that have intensified financial pressure on households grappling with high inflation and cost of living in Nigeria’s major urban centers.
