The Lagos State Tenancy Bill passed its second reading during plenary this week, marking a significant step forward in the Lagos State House of Assembly’s efforts to overhaul rental housing laws.

In addition to streamlining rental agreements and dispute resolution procedures, the Lagos tenancy bill seeks to reinterpret the legal relationship between landlords, tenants, and agents.

Titled ‘A Bill for a Law to Regulate the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in Lagos State, Including the Procedure for the Recovery of Premises and for Connected Purposes’, the proposed legislation is expected to overhaul the legal framework governing tenancy in Lagos, one of Africa’s most densely populated cities.

If passed, the Lagos tenancy bill could bring significant changes to the rental landscape, offering tenants greater clarity on their rights and protections, while also outlining responsibilities for landlords and agents in clearer terms.

One of the most notable changes proposed is the formal structuring of rent payment options, allowing tenants to choose between monthly and yearly payment plans.

During plenary, Hon Sa’ad Olumoh, one of the lawmakers championing the bill, stressed that the bill seeks to bring sanity and structure to the often tense landlord-tenant relationship.

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According to him, a key goal of the bill is to eliminate ambiguity in tenancy agreements, especially in areas relating to eviction notices, rent increment timelines, and agent responsibilities.

The Lagos tenancy bill also introduces guidelines to prevent arbitrary eviction, providing clearer legal steps that landlords must take before recovering premises. Lawmakers believe this will protect tenants from sudden displacement and abusive practices that are currently common in the informal rental market.

Hon Aro Moshood praised the bill as timely and people-centred. He advocated for an enforcement mechanism that would discipline landlords who impose exploitative rent demands or who fail to comply with legally prescribed procedures. He argued that such measures would restore fairness and balance to the housing sector.

On his part, Hon Stephen Ogundipe echoed this sentiment, describing the bill as inclusive and comprehensive.

He highlighted that it addresses all major aspects of tenancy—from agent engagement and rent terms to resolution of disputes—while maintaining legal fairness for all parties involved.

Hon Femi Saheed pointed out that the proposed legislation also protects landlords’ interests. He noted that it outlines landlord rights concerning tenement rates, land use charges, and other levies. More importantly, it defines the limits of tenant obligations, reducing the potential for conflict or exploitation on both sides.

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Another key provision in the Lagos tenancy bill is the formal regulation of estate agents. Lawmakers argued that agents have often operated in a loosely regulated space, sometimes causing friction or financial loss for tenants and landlords alike. The bill aims to standardise their conduct and hold them accountable for their roles in tenancy contracts.

Hon Ajayi Oladele emphasised the bill’s role in addressing long-standing disputes often caused by estate agents.

“For the first time, all stakeholders will have a clear understanding of their legal positions,” he stated, adding that the legislation would reduce grey areas that cause frequent conflicts.

Commending the bill’s emphasis on fairness, Hon Omolara Olumegbon pointed out that it also takes into account tenants’ financial planning needs. By offering flexibility in rent timelines—monthly or yearly—the bill ensures that tenants can choose what works best for them without fear of exploitation or sudden eviction.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa remarked on the significance of crafting a bill that recognises the economic realities of both tenants and landlords.

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He urged his colleagues to consider tenants who often rely on year-end bonuses or leave allowances to meet rent obligations.

Obasa also touched on the challenges faced by landlords, especially in the face of rising costs of building materials. He stressed the importance of rental income for many Lagosians, particularly retirees who depend on property as their primary source of livelihood.

In addition to protecting both parties, Obasa called on the government to review its housing delivery promises. He noted that an improved supply of affordable housing would ultimately ease pressure on the rental market and reduce disputes over high rent costs.

Following a thorough discussion, the House sent the bill to the Housing Committee for additional legislative action. The committee has three weeks to evaluate the bill and report back to the House for additional consideration.

Given Lagos’s ongoing growth and population, policymakers believe that this measure might signal a shift in the state’s rental housing policies and usher in a new era of justice, transparency, and legal protection for all parties engaged in the housing system.
(TRIBUNE)

By Joseph Kanjo

When Congress Newspaper/Online TV was launched four years ago, profit wasn’t the priority. “We weren’t looking at making money,” said Comrade Austin Ozobo, Managing Director of Congress Newspaper and a notable rights activist.

“I was in government as a Senior Special Assistant (SSA), and the salary wasn’t much. But I needed a platform where my voice—and the voices of like-minded individuals, especially my people—could be heard. So, I floated it. But today, things have changed. The profits are coming naturally,” he added.

These remarks came during my phone conversation with Comrade Ozobo, just days ahead of Congress Newspaper’s fourth anniversary celebration on July 10, 2025.

A well-known advocate for the rights of the Ijaw people and president of the Ijaw People’s Development Initiative (IPDI), Ozobo emphasized that his primary motivation was to amplify marginalized voices—especially those of his people. He reflected a sentiment similar to that of British musician and activist Peter Gabriel, who once said, “Those of us who have the eyes and ears of the media have a responsibility to amplify the voices of the voiceless.”

READ ALSO: IPDI Commends Tompolo, Pondis, For Peace, Youth Empowerment, Security In N’Delta

Fifteen years ago, it would have been difficult to count more than a handful of media outlets—whether big or small—owned or managed by individuals Ijaw from the Ijaw extraction.

Despite the many challenges faced by the Ijaw people, particularly due to the complex terrain they inhabit, their voices were largely absent from national conversations.

But today, that narrative has changed—thanks in part to the rise of online media. Now, there are numerous media outlets owned and managed by Ijaw sons and daughters, both in digital and print formats.

These platforms—each with its own mission and vision—nonetheless share a common thread: they give a voice to the people of the creeks, from whose experiences they often draw inspiration.

Some notable Ijaw-owned indigenous media platforms include:
GbaramatuVoice, Ijaw Voice, Ijaw Heritage TV, Arogbe Ibe Reporters, Iduwini Voice, Ogulagha Vanguards, and Egbema Voice.

In addition, several media outlets with broader or foreign-sounding names are also run by Ijaw professionals, including:
Info Daily, The Liberator, Coastal Times, Penglobal, Focal Point Reports, Dailynews Report, Waffi TV, Niger Delta Mirror, Niger Delta Herald, Daily Watch, and Mangrovepen.

READ ALSO: Group Urges Public To Disregard Reports Of Rift Between Otuaro And King Ateke

Congress Newspaper/TV, though relatively new, has firmly established itself among these platforms as a consistent voice advocating for the Ijaw cause and broader Niger Delta interests.

Some may argue that media organizations should be neutral and unbiased. While this principle remains fundamental to ethical journalism, one cannot ignore the impact of ownership. Around the world, media ownership often shapes editorial direction, intentionally or not.

During his welcome address at the fourth anniversary celebration, Comrade Ozobo reiterated the newspaper’s founding vision: to provide not just information, but empowerment for Niger Delta communities.

“Our mission has always been to champion the voices that often go unheard and to shine a light on the issues that matter most to our people,” he said.

“We believe in the power of ethical journalism, and we remain committed to being a steadfast voice for justice, equity, and truth.”

Ozobo’s words speak to a broader truth: in media, ownership matters. And when that ownership is rooted in community-driven passion and purpose—as it is with Congress Newspaper—it becomes a powerful vehicle for social change.

As Congress Newspaper marks its fourth year, it stands not just as a media outlet, but as a movement—one that continues to reshape the media landscape in the Ijaw nation and beyond.

Joseph Ebi Kanjo is a practising journalist and Managing Editor of INFO DAILY.
editor@infodailyng.com

Jubilant supporters of Governor Monday Okpebholo Edo State, were on Friday disappointed as they were locked out from the Edo State Government House, Benin City.

The order not to allow anyone to access the government house was reportedly from an order from above.

The supporters, which included market women and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had gathered at the Benin Airport about 7am, to give the governor a rousing welcome.

The gathering followed Okpebholo’s triumph at the 2024 governorship election legal dispute at the Supreme Court in the nation’s capital, Abuja.

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Okpebholo, whose aircraft touched down at the Benin Airport at about 12.40pm was welcomed by the supporters amid jubilation.

The supporters, many of whom were not mobile, proceeded on foot in a road procession with governor Okpebholo’s motorcades- chanting solidarity songs.

The procession, which lasted for about an hour, terminated at the Edo State Government House where the supporters were informed by security operatives that only Very Important Personalities (VIPs) would be allowed into the government house for refreshments.

The bewildered supporters took turns to lament the development, with many raining insults on the authorities.

READ ALSO: Edo: S’Court Reserves Verdict On Ighodalo’s Case Against Okpebholo

One of the supporters who identified herself as Mrs. Ebosele Omogiate said: “In the worst moments of ex-governor Godwin Obaseki, supporters and members were not shabbily treated like this.

“They have won now and have decided to build a wall around themselves,” she added.

“I left my house before 7am for the airport and stood under the sun for hours before the arrival of the governor.

“We engaged on a road show with him to the government house, only for us to be shut out. This treatment melted on us is unfair,” another supporter added.

Earlier, addressing the crowd, Governor Okpebholo thanked God for his victory at the Supreme Court.

He promised that in the next two years, Edo people will know that they have a governor.