Abuja's Rent Regulation Bill Aims to Protect Tenants in 2026

The Federal Capital Territory Advance Rent Regulation and Tenants’ Protection Bill, 2026, currently before the House of Representatives, seeks to tackle the escalating housing crisis in Abuja. The bill aims to prohibit landlords from demanding more than 12 months' rent in advance, a practice that has exacerbated the financial burdens on tenants.

Over recent years, rental costs have surged dramatically, with some rents doubling or tripling, far outpacing salary increases. A report from the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies published in January 2026 indicated that tenants in major Nigerian cities, including Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt, faced rent hikes of 50 percent or more annually.

Many landlords have reportedly evicted tenants to re-let properties at significantly higher rates, contributing to increased household poverty. The bill is seen as a necessary intervention to provide tenants with better protection and to alleviate the financial strain caused by exorbitant rental demands.