By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo

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The Osun State Government and the State House of Assembly have been given a 7-day ultimatum to urgently address the exploitation by house agents in the state.

The Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN), Osun State Chapter, issued the ultimatum during a press conference held in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

The Youth Assembly of Nigeria, led by its Speaker, Hon. Fatomi Hammed, stated that the mandate of the organisation is to defend the interests, dignity, and well-being of the young people of the state.

According to Hammed, “As the Youth Assembly of Nigeria, Osun State Chapter, our mandate is to defend the interests, dignity, and well-being of the young people of this state. That is why today, we are speaking with one voice, one message, and one demand: end the unchecked exploitation in the housing sector that continues to plague the people of Osun State.

“In recent times, our cities and towns have become a hotbed for fraudulent and exploitative practices by house agents and landlords who operate freely without regulation, oversight, or consequences under a broken system.

“What we are witnessing is not just an inconvenience; it is a crisis that has spiraled beyond individual struggles into a societal emergency. If no action is taken within this period, we will be left with no other option but to lead the biggest peaceful protest ever organized by the youth constituency in the history of this state.

“This protest will not be to threaten democracy or destabilise governance. It will be a call to conscience, a march for justice, and a cry for accountability.

“We therefore call on all youths across Osun State to remain alert, united, and prepared. If this issue is not resolved within seven days, we will roll out our protest plan and communicate the new date accordingly.”

Speaking further, Hammed said that in recent times, cities and towns in the state have become breeding grounds for fraudulent and exploitative practices by house agents and landlords, who operate freely without regulation or accountability under a broken system.

“Every week, young people—students, job seekers, newly employed civil servants, newlyweds, and young professionals—relay stories that are as heartbreaking as they are outrageous, based on their experiences with these greedy and dubious agents and landlords. Examples include house agents demanding exorbitant inspection fees without any guarantee of securing a home.

“Agents and landlords often collect advance payments or agency fees from desperate house hunters, only to disappear or deny access to the said property afterward.

“Victims are left with no legal channel to seek redress or retrieve their hard-earned money.

“Students seeking off-campus accommodation are often left stranded or tricked into living in inhumane conditions. Most notably, some agents deliberately inflate the cost of accommodation, doubling or tripling the fees.

“These actions are not just unethical; they are criminal. And they are happening daily—unchecked and unpunished—worsening the housing crisis in the state.”

According to the Speaker, despite efforts made to address the menace of exploitation by house agents in the state, no meaningful action has been taken. “No acknowledgment. No engagement initiated. No official response.

“This silence is both unacceptable and disheartening. It sends a dangerous message: that the voices of the people—particularly the youths, who form the largest and most dynamic demographic in this state—can be ignored.”

He concluded by stressing that the issue of housing and the exploitation of citizens by house agents is crippling the social and economic fabric of the state. “If left unchecked, it will frustrate investments, drive talent away, and undermine the developmental goals of this government. Therefore, we are only calling on the government to do what is right and urgent.”