Shockwaves in Real Estate: Ebonyi Government Reportedly Bans House and Land Agents from 2026

In a move that has sent shockwaves across the real estate sector and left many stakeholders grappling with uncertainty, the Ebonyi State Government has reportedly announced that from 2026, house and land agents will no longer be permitted to operate within the state. This decision, which has already sparked heated debates in political circles, among landlords, tenants, prospective homebuyers, and professional bodies, represents a radical shift in the way property transactions are to be conducted in Ebonyi. While the government insists that the move is aimed at sanitizing the real estate industry and curbing exploitative practices, critics argue that the policy could destabilize a vital sector of the economy and displace thousands of people who depend on real estate agency for their livelihood.

According to early reports, the government reached the conclusion after a series of complaints from residents who claimed that real estate agents had turned property acquisition into a nightmare. Many tenants alleged that agents collect exorbitant fees, often demanding 10% of annual rent as agency charges in addition to legal and agreement fees that further push costs beyond the reach of the average person. For many low and middle-income earners in Abakaliki, Onueke, Afikpo, and other parts of the state, the presence of multiple intermediaries in house and land transactions has created barriers that make finding shelter or acquiring land a burdensome process. Ebonyi, being one of the rapidly developing southeastern states with a growing population and influx of students, traders, and civil servants, has seen a boom in the property market over the past decade, and with it, the proliferation of agents who many residents now accuse of exploiting the demand for housing.

The government’s argument is that eliminating middlemen will not only bring down rental and property acquisition costs but will also create a more transparent and accountable system where landlords and buyers can deal directly. Officials within the Ministry of Lands and Urban Development reportedly stated that the policy is part of a wider reform agenda designed to streamline land administration, reduce fraudulent property sales, and empower a centralized regulatory system that will ensure fairness. By banning agents, the government believes it can curb sharp practices such as multiple allocations, fake documents, and the notorious issue of double rent collection by fraudulent caretakers.

However, the reaction from various quarters has been far from supportive. Real estate agents across Ebonyi have described the decision as draconian and anti-people. Many of them argue that their services play a critical role in bridging the gap between landlords and tenants, especially in urban centers where property ownership is highly fragmented. Without agents, they warn, prospective tenants and buyers could be more vulnerable to fraudsters posing as landlords. Some analysts also point out that many landlords prefer using agents to manage their properties because they lack the time or expertise to handle tenant screening, rent collection, and conflict resolution. Removing agents from the equation, they argue, could push the burden back on landlords and create a chaotic rental market where disputes become more frequent.

The economic implications of the policy cannot be overlooked. Thousands of Ebonyi youths earn a living as freelance property agents, and many families rely on the commissions they earn from connecting tenants to houses or buyers to land. A ban would inevitably wipe out these jobs overnight, further worsening unemployment in a country already grappling with staggering youth joblessness. There are also concerns that investors may be discouraged from venturing into the property sector if they fear government intervention will disrupt existing structures. With construction and real estate serving as one of the pillars of local economic growth, a sudden shake-up in the system could have ripple effects on other industries such as building materials, legal practice, and financial services tied to property acquisition.

Already, the news of the proposed ban has triggered panic among property seekers who worry about what alternatives will be put in place once agents are barred. Some speculate that the government might introduce a centralized housing bureau where all rental and land transactions will be conducted, but critics caution that such a system, if poorly managed, could breed more bureaucracy and corruption. Others suggest that the state government might roll out digital platforms for property listings, allowing landlords and buyers to connect directly, but questions remain over whether such platforms can be adequately monitored and made accessible to people in rural areas where internet penetration remains low.

Legal experts are also weighing in on the matter. Some point out that banning agents outright could face serious constitutional challenges, as many Nigerians have the right to engage in any legitimate business or profession of their choice. They argue that instead of imposing a blanket ban, the government should focus on regulating the industry more effectively by licensing agents, setting fee caps, and creating a grievance redress system for tenants and landlords who fall victim to malpractice. The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) is also expected to release an official position, given that the ban directly affects the practice of real estate professionals who are recognized nationwide. If the Ebonyi government goes through with the policy, it could set a precedent that other states might either emulate or strongly resist.

On the streets of Abakaliki, reactions are mixed. Some residents welcome the development, expressing relief that they may no longer have to pay “outrageous agent fees” before securing a modest apartment. For students of Ebonyi State University and Federal College of Agriculture who often struggle to find affordable hostels, the policy sounds like a lifeline. However, landlords and caretakers are worried about how they will manage properties without the help of agents, especially when it comes to handling problematic tenants.

What is clear is that this decision, if formally implemented in 2026 as reported, will fundamentally alter the dynamics of property ownership and rental in Ebonyi. The government may believe it is acting in the best interest of citizens, but the real test will be in how effectively it can provide a functional alternative to the system it plans to dismantle. With less than a year before the ban kicks in, all eyes are on Ebonyi to see whether consultations with stakeholders will lead to a reversal, modification, or complete enforcement of the policy.

For now, uncertainty reigns. Tenants are anxious, landlords are uneasy, agents are fearful for their future, and policymakers are under pressure to strike a balance between reform and economic stability. One thing is certain: the Ebonyi government’s reported decision to ban house and land agents has opened a new chapter in Nigeria’s ongoing conversation about housing, affordability, and regulation. Whether history will judge it as a visionary step towards sanitizing the system or a reckless gamble that destabilized an entire sector remains to be seen.