By Jungle-Journalist.Com
Abakaliki, September 3, 2025 — The Ebonyi State Government has announced that beginning from 2026, it will prohibit the operations of house and land agents in the state, in a bid to tackle the soaring cost of rents.
Governor Francis Nwifuru disclosed this during a stakeholder meeting in Abakaliki, stressing that the decision is aimed at easing the financial burden on tenants who currently pay exorbitant fees to agents before securing accommodation.
The governor explained that the state will introduce a direct landlord-to-tenant system, thereby eliminating middlemen and the multiple charges that agents impose.
This development comes amid similar efforts in other South East states to address rising rents. In Enugu State, for instance, the House of Assembly recently considered a Tenancy Protection Bill, which has only passed first reading. The bill seeks to regulate rents and protect tenants from exploitative practices. However, it has not yet had any significant effect, as rents in Enugu continue to soar.
The Ebonyi government expressed optimism that its approach will achieve better results by completely cutting off agents and ensuring transparent dealings between property owners and tenants.
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