Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has announced a sweeping ban on house and land agents, effective from 2026.
The decision, according to the governor, is part of efforts to curb soaring rents and protect residents from exploitation. He accused agents of charging excessive fees, sometimes as high as ₦500,000 for properties that do not belong to them.
Beginning next year, no agent will be permitted to collect money from individuals seeking accommodation across the state.
The ban is expected to reshape the property market in Ebonyi, with direct transactions between landlords and tenants likely to become the new norm.