Senate President Godswill Akpabio has proposed legislation that will require tenants to provide valid identification, such as NIN, before renting houses, apartments, shops and other properties in Nigeria.
The proposal was discussed during Senate proceedings on October 27, 2026, as lawmakers considered measures to protect Nigerians from human trafficking, slavery and other human rights abuses.
Akpabio expressed concern that some landlords rent out properties without properly verifying their tenants’ identities, making it difficult for security agencies to trace suspects when crimes occur.
He proposed a system similar to the banking sector’s Know Your Customer (KYC) policy, suggesting that landlords should know and verify the identities of their tenants.
The Senate President directed Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele to work on drafting the necessary legislation, with the Federal Capital Territory identified as an initial focus.
The proposal could also cover shops and short-let apartments, where inadequate identity checks may make it difficult to establish who occupied a property.
However, the proposal has not yet become law. Its eventual requirements will depend on the legislative process and the provisions of any bill that is passed.
