Inspection Fees Abolished as Oyo Government, Estate Agents Move to End Rent Extortion
The Chairman of the Oyo State Estate Rent and Commission Agents Association, Honorable Okekunle Mutahir, has disclosed that the association abolished inspection fees in early January last year after discovering that the practice had become a major avenue for extortion by unscrupulous individuals.
Mutahir made this known on Wednesday during a stakeholder engagement with the Oyo State Government in Ibadan, where he also commended the government for policies he said have positively impacted the operations of estate agents across the state.
He explained that the decision to abolish inspection fees was taken to protect members of the public from exploitation and to promote professionalism within the real estate sector.
He, however, urged the state government to support the association in flushing out dishonest elements who still engage in sharp practices, stressing that collaboration with relevant authorities would help sanitise the housing sector and restore public confidence.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Honorable Akin-Funmilayo Williams, said the engagement was part of the government’s broader efforts to tackle rising cases of rent and commission extortion and to safeguard the interests of tenants.
He noted that while the government could not dictate the amount charged by property owners as rent, the activities of estate agents could be regulated through appropriate laws.
Williams explained that the association was invited to the meeting to exchange ideas and develop a lasting solution to the problem.
He added that the Oyo State House of Assembly had, during its sitting on Monday, debated a similar issue and expressed its readiness to enact a law to regulate the operations of estate agents.
The commissioner further stated that, ahead of such legislation, it was important to consult widely with stakeholders in order to develop a common position that would guide the House of Assembly in its deliberations.
According to him, this approach would ensure that any law eventually enacted would not be done in isolation but would reflect the inputs of the ministry and practitioners who are directly involved in the sector.
He therefore charged the association to articulate a clear and comprehensive position on the matter, which would be forwarded to the House of Assembly for further engagement, as part of collective efforts to sanitize the housing sector and curb exploitative practices across Oyo State.
Inspection Fees Abolished as Oyo Government, Estate Agents Move to End Rent Extortion
Byadmin
Jan 22, 2026