House hunting? Prepare to be hunted 

“I’ve been house hunting in Lagos for over 4 months now and I’ve spent a total of 135k on different agents😭. Yet to secure an apartment of my taste!!!”

This is the sad tale of Annie Moses, an X user—and one that resonates with countless Nigerians navigating the chaos of house hunting.

Across the country, finding a decent apartment has become a financial and emotional minefield. Renters are often at the mercy of house and land agents who exploit desperation, inflate costs, and break promises with impunity.

The cruel reapers of real estate

Virtually every Nigerian has a story—often bitter—about their encounters with agents. These middlemen agree to your budget, location, and apartment type, only to pivot once payment is made.

What follows is a tour of dilapidated buildings in remote corners, far from what was promised.

Grace, an online vendor, recalls her university days:

“The agents would take me to terrible apartments and say once I pay, the landlord will fix the broken louvers, ceiling, or door. Sometimes they even pressure you to pay fast and lie that houses are scarce.”

While some agents operate ethically, many prey on renters’ urgency. The result? Wasted transport money, dashed hopes, and emotional exhaustion.

When rent becomes a luxury

In states like Ebonyi, rent prices have skyrocketed. One-bedroom flats that once cost ₦140,000 now go for ₦250,000—and new tenants often pay ₦300,000. Two- and three-bedroom apartments reach ₦800,000 or more, excluding agent and legal fees.

Low-income earners are being pushed out of urban centers, forced to return to villages where the cost of living is lower but opportunities are fewer.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (Ebonyi chapter) described the situation as “shylock”—a term that captures the exploitative nature of the housing market. Tens of families have uprooted due to escalating costs.

Ebonyi’s bold ban

In a landmark move, Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru announced a state-wide ban on house and land agents, effective January 1, 2026.

READ ALSO: Lagos State lawmakers move to regulate house rent

He cited cases where agents charged up to ₦500,000 just to show properties they didn’t own—driving housing costs even higher.

From 2026, agents in Ebonyi will be prohibited from collecting any money from people seeking accommodation. The policy aligns with broader legislative efforts to control rent hikes and improve access to affordable housing.

Nigerians react

The announcement sparked mixed reactions on X, where many Nigerians called for the measure to spread beyond Ebonyi.

– @Øluwatøsin_: “I hope they can do this in Lagos and Ibadan.”

– @BIGMAVENØ1: “This is good news.”

– @Nc_emmanuel1: “Omo na Lagos really need this prayer o 😂.”

– @realtor_strange: “Now the ones affected will move to Ogun state and add to the already flooded ones chai.”

– @barbiecrush0: “Make e reach Abuja too ooo. And house rent regulazation.”

These voices mirror the frustration of millions who feel trapped in a broken housing system—where desperation fuels exploitation and hope is often met with disappointment.

As 2026 approaches, all eyes are on Ebonyi. Will other states follow suit—or will renters continue to bear the brunt of a system in urgent need of reform?

For now, the ban offers a glimmer of hope—and a challenge to other leaders to prioritize housing justice in a country where shelter is becoming a luxury.

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