Senate President, Godswill Akpabio Proposes Law Requiring Tenants to Present Valid ID Before Renting Houses, Shops in Nigeria

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has proposed a new legal framework that could compel Nigerians to present valid means of identification before renting houses, apartments, shops, short-let apartments and other properties across the country.

The proposal, which came up during Senate proceedings on October 27, 2026, is aimed at strengthening security and protecting Nigerians against human trafficking, slavery and other forms of human rights abuses.

Akpabio expressed concern over the practice of landlords renting out their properties without properly verifying the identities of prospective tenants, warning that such arrangements could create loopholes that criminals might exploit to evade law enforcement agencies.

According to the Senate President, the absence of reliable tenant identification records can make it difficult for security operatives to establish the identities of individuals occupying particular properties when criminal activities are reported.

To address the challenge, Akpabio proposed introducing a system similar to the Know Your Customer (KYC) policy adopted by banks and other financial institutions, which requires customers to provide identifying information before accessing certain services.

Under the proposed arrangement, landlords could be required to verify the identities of prospective tenants and maintain appropriate records to assist security agencies when necessary.

The proposal could have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s rental market, potentially extending beyond residential buildings to include commercial properties, shops and short-let apartments, where occupants may change frequently.

As part of the next steps, Akpabio directed Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele to work on drafting the necessary legislation to give legal backing to the proposal, with the Federal Capital Territory identified as an initial area of focus.

If eventually enacted, the legislation could introduce additional responsibilities for property owners and landlords, requiring them to establish the identities of people seeking to occupy their properties before finalising rental agreements.

The initiative is expected to generate discussions around the balance between national security, the protection of human rights and the privacy of tenants, particularly regarding the collection, storage and possible disclosure of personal information.

However, the proposal has not yet become law. Its implementation will depend on the legislative process, the final provisions of any bill introduced and passed by the National Assembly, and any applicable regulatory requirements.