Plateau Tenancy Bill scales second reading

2026-03-07 - 18:57

By Golok Nanmwa Jos – The Plateau State House of Assembly has passed for second reading a bill aimed at regulating tenancy agreements and fostering better relations between landlords and tenants in the state. The bill, which seeks to promote fairness, ensure proper documentation of tenancy agreements, and curb unlawful evictions, scaled the legislative hurdle during plenary. Moving the motion for second reading, Hon. Theodore Maiyaki highlighted the importance of the proposed law in addressing longstanding issues in tenancy matters across Plateau State. Seconding the motion, Hon. Adamu Aliyu, representing Jos North North Constituency, strongly endorsed the bill, describing it as a significant step towards protecting the rights of both landlords and tenants. In his contribution during deliberations, Hon. Aliyu emphasised the need for equity, formal tenancy agreements, and an end to arbitrary evictions that often lead to disputes and insecurity in residential areas. After extensive debate, Speaker Rt. Hon. Naanlong Daniel directed the Clerk of the House to read the bill for the second time. It subsequently passed second reading without opposition and was committed to the relevant committee for further legislative scrutiny and public input. The proposed legislation is expected to bring order, transparency, and legal safeguards to tenancy practices in Plateau State, particularly in urban centres like Jos where rent-related conflicts are common. Stakeholders have welcomed the development, noting that once enacted, the law could serve as a model for addressing similar challenges in other states.