Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has announced that beginning January 1, 2026, house and land agents will no longer be allowed to operate in the state.
The governor, who made the announcement on Wednesday, said the decision was aimed at curbing exploitation by agents who inflate rents and charge arbitrary fees. “From next year, tenants will deal directly with property owners. We will not allow our people to continue suffering under the weight of arbitrary charges,” Nwifuru declared.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe move is the first of its kind in Ebonyi. Past administrations, including those of Sam Egwu, Martin Elechi, and David Umahi, tackled land disputes and development issues but never issued a blanket ban on agents.
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The announcement follows growing public concern over skyrocketing rents. In March, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ebonyi State warned that rents had become “alarming,” with two-bedroom flats rising to as much as ₦900,000. Lawmakers in the state assembly are also considering a rent control bill to cap advance payments and regulate tenancy agreements.
The ban has drawn mixed reactions. Tenants and civil society groups welcomed it as relief from hidden costs, but estate agents and property consultants warn it could disrupt the housing market and create room for fraud if not backed by a regulatory framework.
With less than four months to enforcement, all eyes are on whether the Nwifuru administration can turn the directive into workable policy and whether Ebonyi will become a model for housing reform or a cautionary tale for other states.
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