Jennifer Odii, Chief Executive Officer of Odinga J Properties, a leading female-owned real estate firm with operations in Port Harcourt, Lagos, and Abuja, has made a strong appeal to Lagos landlords to end discriminatory practices against women, particularly single ladies, in the rental housing market.

Speaking shortly after the induction of new partner realtors in Lagos, Odii expressed concern over a report by BuyLetLive, which exposed the growing bias against female tenants. The report revealed that restrictions imposed by landlords have significantly reduced the number of women able to secure housing in the state, worsening the gender gap in the market.

Odii urged the Lagos State Government to take swift action by investigating these reports and implementing policies that promote equal access to housing for all, irrespective of gender. She also proposed that the Lagos State House of Assembly pass legislation explicitly banning landlords from discriminating against women in the rental market, with clear penalties for offenders. In addition, she called for a robust public awareness campaign to educate both landlords and tenants about their rights and responsibilities.

Furthermore, Odii recommended the creation of a Housing Discrimination Complaint Unit under the Ministry of Housing. This unit would handle complaints related to discrimination and provide accessible channels for resolving disputes swiftly.

Beyond tackling discrimination, Odii urged the government to prioritise mass housing projects, drawing inspiration from China’s public housing model. She advocated for diversified affordable housing schemes, repurposing unsold properties into affordable homes, and regulating rent to ensure affordability.

In her closing remarks, Odii stressed the importance of collaboration between the government, private sector, and civil society in ending housing discrimination and ensuring women have equal opportunities to secure homes in Lagos and across Nigeria.