A fresh legislative push is underway in the Kogi State House of Assembly, as a bill seeking to repeal the existing Rent Control and Recovery of Residential Premises Law of 2007 has successfully scaled its first reading.
The new bill aims to establish the Kogi State Tenancy Law, 2025, and address broader issues related to tenancy regulation in the state.
Sponsored by Hon. Lawal Akus, the representative of Ankpa I constituency, the private member bill proposes a comprehensive overhaul of the state’s current tenancy framework to reflect present-day realities and administrative needs.
Hon. Akus emphasized that if enacted, the legislation would “help improve administrative efficiency, enhance legal clarity, ensure fairer representation on regulatory bodies, and promote modern, digital approaches to tenancy regulation.”
He noted that the current law, which has been in place for over 18 years, is no longer adequate due to its narrow focus.
“The Kogi State Rent Control and Recovery of Residential Premises Law was enacted and assented to in 2007, over 18 years ago. A key limitation of the existing law lies in its exclusive focus on residential premises—a scope that does not reflect the realities of tenancy disputes in the State,” Akus stated.
He further explained the rationale for a broader, updated law: “In practice, the courts have been inundated with cases involving both residential and non-residential accommodations.
This inconsistency between the law’s title and its practical application underscores the need for a more inclusive and accurate designation, hence the proposed re-christening as the Kogi State Tenancy Law, 2025.”
According to the lawmaker, the new legislation will not only modernize tenancy regulation in Kogi but also position the state as a neutral arbiter in rental disputes.
“The Bill, if considered and passed into law, will no doubt reinforce the role of the State as an impartial regulator in tenancy matters, improve transparency and efficiency, and embrace digital innovation for better service delivery while protecting the rights of both landlords and tenants,” he added.
