Deji Adeyanju Urges Tinubu to Declare State of Emergency on Nigeria’s Housing Crisis

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 tenancy practices are pushing millions of Nigerians deeper into economic hardship.

In an open letter dated July 27, 2026, titled “Declaration of a State of Emergency on the Housing and Rental Crisis in Nigeria: A Demand for Immediate Constitutional Intervention, Inclusive Urban Renewal,” Adeyanju argued that the rising cost of housing has become a national emergency requiring urgent government intervention.

According to him, the current housing situation contradicts the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which places the welfare and security of citizens as the primary responsibility of government. He also referenced constitutional provisions that require the state to ensure access to adequate shelter and prevent the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few.

Adeyanju further cited Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights law, particularly the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), which recognizes access to adequate housing as a fundamental human right. He stressed that housing should be treated as a basic social necessity rather than a commodity for excessive profit.

Describing the rental market in major cities such as Abuja and Lagos, Adeyanju alleged that many tenants are being subjected to unfair and exploitative demands by landlords, estate agents, and property speculators. He said prospective tenants are often required to pay two or three years’ rent in advance, alongside high agency fees, legal charges, service charges, and caution fees that significantly increase the overall cost of securing accommodation.

He also criticized the widespread practice of charging legal fees for tenancy agreements allegedly prepared without the involvement of qualified legal practitioners, describing the trend as another form of exploitation against Nigerians already struggling with rising living costs.

The lawyer argued that genuine urban development should prioritize affordable housing for ordinary citizens rather than encouraging developments that displace low- and middle-income earners. According to him, artisans, civil servants, remote workers, entrepreneurs, and job seekers are essential to the nation’s economy and should not be forced out of urban centers because of unaffordable housing costs.

Adeyanju warned that if left unchecked, the housing crisis could worsen poverty, fuel corruption, and force more families into unsafe and overcrowded living conditions.

Drawing comparisons with international best practices, he pointed to Ghana’s Rent Act, which regulates advance rent payments through statutory limits and enforcement by the country’s Rent Control Department. He suggested that Nigeria could adopt similar reforms to protect tenants from exploitation.

As part of his recommendations, Adeyanju urged President Tinubu to formally declare a state of emergency in the housing sector and establish a Special Presidential Taskforce on Rental Reform. He proposed that the committee, led by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, be given a 90-day deadline to develop a comprehensive national housing and tenancy policy and submit any necessary legislation to the National Assembly.

He also advocated for inclusive urban planning policies that would require government housing projects and urban renewal initiatives to reserve affordable housing units for low- and middle-income Nigerians, ensuring that essential workers are not displaced by commercial development.

Among his key proposals were the introduction of legal limits on agency and legal fees, which he suggested should not exceed a combined 7.5 percent of annual rent. He also called for service charges to be transparent, properly audited, and capped at 5 percent of annual rent.

Adeyanju further recommended restricting landlords to collecting a maximum of one year’s rent in advance while encouraging a gradual transition to monthly rent payment systems. He also urged the government to prohibit the collection of non-refundable caution fees unless supported by verifiable evidence of property damage.

To ensure compliance, he proposed the creation of a digital tenant reporting platform that would allow Nigerians to report landlords and agents who violate tenancy regulations. He also called for stiff penalties, including fines, criminal sanctions, and professional disciplinary measures against offenders.

In addition, Adeyanju appealed for increased investment in affordable public housing through government funding, tax incentives, and public-private partnerships aimed at expanding access to decent accommodation for low- and middle-income earners.

Concluding his letter, the human rights lawyer urged the President to act swiftly, stating that history would judge the administration not only by its economic reforms but also by how effectively it protected the dignity and welfare of Nigerians during challenging economic times.

He maintained that access to decent housing is both a constitutional obligation and a fundamental human right, expressing hope that the Federal Government would implement reforms capable of providing lasting relief to millions of Nigerians facing rising rental costs across the country.