Calabar, Nigeria – October 16, 2025 – In a bold move to shield residents from what lawmakers are calling “exploitative greed,” the Cross River State House of Assembly has resolved to ban housing agents accused of fueling arbitrary rent hikes across Calabar and other urban centers. The decision, emerging from a heated plenary session on Tuesday, October 14, targets the alleged role of agents in arbitrarily inflating prices, collecting bogus fees, and worsening the cost-of-living crisis amid Nigeria’s broader economic woes.
The resolution was sparked by a “Matter of Urgent Public Importance” motion tabled by Rt. Hon. Davies Etta, the Deputy Leader of the 10th Assembly and member representing Abi State Constituency. Etta painted a grim picture of the rental market, decrying “unreasonable, unprovoked, and economically destabilizing” surges that have left families scrambling. “Cross Riverians have been wailing and crying for help,” he told the house, citing examples of outdated properties – some with leaking roofs, faulty plumbing, and poor drainage – being peddled at extortionate rates.
A self-contained room on Marian Road now fetches up to ₦1.5 million annually, while one-bedroom flats in Calabar South command between ₦800,000 and ₦1 million. In upscale spots like Parliamentary Extension, E1, State Housing, and CICC, two-bedroom units can top ₦2 million – often with landlords demanding two years’ rent upfront and issuing swift eviction notices for non-compliance. “This is heartless and socially dangerous,” Etta fumed, urging immediate legislation to regulate rentals, balance landlord-tenant dynamics, and empower the Ministry of Housing to crack down on abuses.
Fellow lawmakers echoed the outrage. Hon. Stanley Nsemo, representing Calabar Municipality, hammered home the need to rein in agents’ “unscrupulous activities,” including excessive commissions and multiple hidden charges that have made decent shelter a luxury for low-income earners. The house unanimously adopted the motion, directing the state government to oversee landlords and agents while slashing prices on local building materials to boost affordability. They also pledged to fast-track a comprehensive rental regulation bill, potentially the first of its kind in the state.
The debate taps into a festering national headache. Nigeria’s inflation rate, hovering at 34.2% in July 2025 per the National Bureau of Statistics, has supercharged housing costs, with Calabar’s market exploding since early 2025. A August report highlighted one-bedroom apartments averaging ₦600,000 – a 50% jump from last year – as agents exploit supply shortages and population growth in the tourism hub. Older studies from 2017 underscore the roots: rapid urbanization outpacing housing delivery, leaving the urban poor squeezed as developers chase high-end profits.
Public reaction has been swift and supportive. On X, #BanHouseAgents trended locally, with users like @CalabarVoice venting: “Finally! These agents turn house hunting into a nightmare. Time to evict the real exploiters.” Tenants’ groups hailed the move as a “lifeline,” though some landlords’ associations warned it could stifle investment without fair safeguards.
Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. Eteng Jonah Williams affirmed the house’s commitment: “We’re not just talking – we’re acting to protect our people from this rent racket.” As the bill drafting begins, eyes are on Governor Bassey Otu’s administration for swift endorsement. In a state famed for its carnivals and calm vibe, this legislative showdown could redefine what it means to call Calabar home – one regulated lease at a time.