Korede Abdullah 
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu
LAGOS, Nigeria – The Lagos State Government has unveiled a bold legislative move aimed at ending illegal evictions, landlord harassment and runaway rent increases, as it forwarded a new Executive Bill to the House of Assembly on Tuesday.
The proposed legislation, titled “The Lagos State Tenancy and Recovery of Premises Bill 2025,” is designed to restore order to a rental market where tenants have faced rent hikes of up to 200 per cent and frequent abuse during disputes.
If passed, the law is expected to redefine landlord–tenant relations by clearly spelling out rights, responsibilities and consequences for violations.
The Bill follows a surge in complaints from residents who say they have been unlawfully locked out of their homes, had doors broken, or were forcefully driven out over rent disagreements.
Under the proposed framework, landlords will no longer be allowed to evict tenants at will, as a valid court order will become mandatory before any eviction can take place.
The draft law expressly outlaws forceful eviction, intimidation and self-help measures, including the use of threats or hired thugs to pressure tenants.
According to the legislation, landlords who deliberately cut off electricity or water, remove roofs, or take actions that disrupt a tenant’s stay risk prosecution.
Section 10 of the Bill explicitly protects a tenant’s right to “quiet and peaceable enjoyment” of rented premises, while Section 43 introduces stiff penalties for offenders.
It states that any landlord who evicts without a court order, alters a building to force eviction, threatens or molests a tenant, or damages property “commits a criminal offence,” signalling a tougher stance against housing-related abuses in Lagos.
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Oluwatobi Adu 
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Koko Maxwella 