Across developed housing markets, secure tenancy systems increasingly combine identity verification, transparent rental agreements, protected deposits and clear dispute-resolution procedures. Nigeria’s renewed debate over tenancy regulation presents an opportunity to introduce similar safeguards, protecting landlords, tenants and the wider public.

Senator G Akpabio

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called for legislation requiring landlords to verify the identities of prospective tenants, following concerns that criminals exploit poorly documented rental arrangements for kidnapping, human trafficking and other offences.

Speaking during Senate deliberations on 27 October 2026, Akpabio observed: “A lot of people just give their properties to strangers. They don’t even have any papers to know where they come from.”

He warned that individuals sometimes rent properties using telephone numbers belonging to others, making criminal investigations difficult.

“We are making a law that tenants must rent houses with their NIN.

Drawing comparisons with banking regulations, Akpabio declared: “As you know in the bank, they say, know your customer; this one we can say, know your tenants.”

He urged lawmakers to develop legislation initially covering the Federal Capital Territory, with recognised identification, potentially including National Identification Numbers, forming part of stronger verification procedures.

Aminu Tambuwal Sen.

Senator Aminu Tambuwal also supported broader tenancy reforms, including tenant registration, rent control, security checks and verification of property ownership.

Beyond identification, however, Nigeria’s housing industry faces another urgent challenge: protecting renters from fraudulent transactions, excessive charges and disputes over deposits.

Simpleroom

One emerging private-sector response is SimpleRooms –  (https://simpleroomsng.com), a technology-driven Nigerian rental platform promoting zero-commission property listings, direct landlord–tenant engagement, transparent transactions and safer rental processes.

Its founder, Biodun Olusesan, explained the company’s vision:

“Our mission is to empower Nigerians by providing a direct, transparent, and cost-effective way to manage rental properties.”

The platform offers services including property listings, landlord support, referencing and rental documentation, demonstrating how innovation can complement government regulation.

Mentoring Commandant Alistair, a good governance and leadership advocate, has similarly championed a proposed National Tenancy Scheme, intended to safeguard renters’ through documented transactions and independent dispute resolution.

The initiative has been discussed with the Federal Ministry of Housing and directors, with the proposal now intended for wider engagement under the new ministerial leadership and presentation to the National Assembly.

In statement, Mentoring Commandant said: “Knowing your tenant is important, but knowing that tenants’ wellbeing is protected is equally essential. Nigeria needs a rental system where landlords are verified, tenants are accountable, and nobody loses simply because they are looking for somewhere to live.”

The proposed framework would draw on international tenancy and landlord’ protection practices while accommodating Nigeria’s housing realities.

For lawmakers, the opportunity now extends beyond crime prevention. Combining responsible identification requirements, digital rental innovation and enforceable financial safeguards could help Nigeria establish a more trustworthy, affordable and accountable housing market for millions of citizens.