News Room Reporting by Nuel Umahi.
The Plateau State House of Assembly has called on the state government to regulate rent prices in Jos, the state capital, as soaring housing costs push many low-income residents to the brink of homelessness. The lawmakers urged the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to engage landlords and stakeholders in developing a policy framework that ensures fair and affordable rent.
Speaker of the House, Gabriel Dewan, emphasised that housing is a fundamental human need, and the unchecked rise in rent prices has placed a significant burden on residents already grappling with economic hardship. He pointed to sections 16(1)(d), 17(2)(h), and 34(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandate the government to provide adequate shelter and uphold citizens’ dignity. Dewan argued that rent control measures would align with these constitutional obligations, offering much-needed relief to tenants.
The call for regulation comes five months after an investigative report by JoeyOffAir highlighted the worsening housing crisis in Jos. The report revealed that rental prices had surged by over 30 per cent in some areas, forcing many to relocate to the city’s outskirts or settle for substandard housing. Experts attribute the rising costs to a combination of inflation, high demand, and a lack of affordable housing development.
While many tenants have welcomed the Assembly’s intervention, real estate experts caution that effective implementation remains a challenge. Rent control laws have historically faced enforcement issues in Nigeria, with landlords finding ways to circumvent regulations, such as demanding multiple years’ rent upfront.
The Plateau Assembly’s proposal reflects a broader concern across Nigeria, where cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt have also seen rent spikes. In Lagos, a 2022 State Rent Control Bill was proposed but has yet to be fully enforced, with similar concerns about landlord compliance.
For the initiative in Plateau State to succeed, analysts say the government must establish clear guidelines, strong enforcement mechanisms, and incentives for property developers to invest in affordable housing. The coming months will determine whether this legislative push translates into real relief for struggling tenants or remains another policy lost in bureaucratic gridlock.
Editor’s Note: This is a developing story.
