Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Nigeria’s housing sector, warning that soaring rents and exploitative rental practices are pushing millions of Nigerians into deeper hardship.
Human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju has written an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, demanding urgent intervention in what he described as Nigeria’s worsening housing and rental crisis.
In the letter, Adeyanju argued that the rising cost of accommodation, particularly in major cities such as Abuja and Lagos, has become unbearable for civil servants, young professionals, artisans, middle-income earners and vulnerable families. He urged the President to invoke his constitutional powers and declare a state of emergency on housing and urban tenancy.
Calls for Urgent Reforms
Adeyanju proposed several measures aimed at easing the burden on tenants, including:
- Declaring a state of emergency in the housing sector.
- Introducing rent control measures.
- Enacting a national tenant protection law.
- Regulating agency, legal and caution fees.
- Expanding affordable housing programmes for low- and middle-income Nigerians.
Cites Constitutional Responsibility
The lawyer argued that the current housing situation contradicts constitutional provisions requiring government to prioritise the welfare of citizens.
He referenced Sections 14 and 16 of the 1999 Constitution, maintaining that access to adequate shelter is a fundamental objective of governance and that government has a duty to prevent exploitative economic practices.
Warns of Growing Social Pressure
Adeyanju warned that rising rents, excessive agency charges and other housing-related costs are leaving many Nigerians unable to secure decent accommodation.
He said the worsening situation could deepen poverty, widen inequality and increase social tension if urgent reforms are not introduced.