By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo

Residents of Osogbo, the Osun State capital, are raising alarm over what they describe as rampant extortion by house agents, especially in the face of an ongoing housing crisis.

Students, young professionals, and civil servants have continued to bear the brunt of these exploitative practices while seeking accommodation.

Findings by our correspondent revealet that these agents, many of whom now operate under informal associations, charge exorbitant fees under the pretext of assisting clients in securing housing.

A self-contained room that typically costs ₦150,000 directly from the property owner is now being offered at as high as ₦250,000 through agents.

Similarly, a three-bedroom flat with agency fees ranges between ₦750,000 and ₦800,000, while two-bedroom apartments are priced between ₦500,000 and ₦600,000, depending on location and facilities.

John Olaniyi, a victim of this exploitation, shared his experience. “I paid ₦3,000 registration fee to one agent, who took me around several houses but eventually did not get me any. These agents often show houses without the owners’ knowledge and fix arbitrary prices. It’s a terrible experience,” he said.

He noted that due to high unemployment, many young people, including women have turned to housing agency as a source of income.

“Some of them make more money than civil servants or even the landlords themselves. If not checked, one day, an agent might sell someone’s house and disappear with the money,” he warned, urging landlords to stop relying on agents who exploit both them and tenants.

The Chairman of the Osun Civil Societies Coalition (OCSC), Alhaji Waheed Lawal, attributed the worsening situation to a lack of transparency and accountability in the housing sector.

“This is a ticking time bomb threatening the very fabric of our society,” he said. “We need stricter regulations, enforcement and penalties. Agents must be licensed and accredited, and victims should have access to complaint mechanisms and swift justice.”

In a bold move, the Osun State chapter of the Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN) issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state government, demanding immediate action to curb the exploitation by house agents. During a press conference in Osogbo, the Assembly’s Speaker, Fatomi Dare Hammed, emphasized the need to defend the interests and dignity of the youth.

“What we are witnessing is a crisis that has spiraled from individual struggles into a societal emergency,” he said. “If no action is taken within the ultimatum period, we will organize the largest peaceful protest in the state’s history. This will not threaten democracy, but rather call for justice and accountability.”

The group highlighted common exploitative practices, such as agents demanding high inspection fees with no guarantee of securing a property, collecting advance payments fraudulently, and inflating housing prices.

“Many victims have no legal recourse and are left stranded, particularly students and young professionals,” Fatomi noted.

“We’ve sent several appeals to the state government and House of Assembly, but have received no response. The silence is unacceptable and disheartening.”

He clarified that the Youth Assembly is not against the government but wants urgent action to prevent the housing sector from collapsing under the weight of unchecked exploitation.

The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State chapter, has also added its voice to the growing outcry. In a communiqué issued after its monthly meeting, the union condemned the extortion by house agents and landlords, describing it as insensitive and exploitative.

The NUJ said the continuous imposition of unjustified agency fees, multiple levies, and frequent rent hikes has placed an unbearable burden on residents, especially civil servants, artisans, and low-income earners.

“This exploitative trend is not only cruel but has also led to homelessness, displacement, and mental distress,” the union stated. It called on the Osun State Government, Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning, and other regulatory bodies to intervene and establish frameworks to monitor and regulate the housing sector.

The NUJ urged the State House of Assembly to enact laws protecting tenants from arbitrary charges and affirmed its commitment to exposing unethical practices in the housing sector through its media platforms.

As frustration mounts among Osun residents, stakeholders are urging urgent government intervention to restore fairness, accountability, and dignity to the housing market.