The Lagos State government is preparing to launch a new rent payment system that will allow tenants to pay their rent monthly or quarterly. This move is aimed at reducing the burden of yearly rent payments for many residents, particularly those in the low-income bracket.
During the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held on Tuesday to mark the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s current term, the Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, shared the plans for this upcoming change.
According to Akinderu-Fatai, this initiative is a step forward in the state’s ongoing mission to make housing more affordable and accessible to the general population. He explained that the new rent payment options are a response to the growing concerns among residents about the difficulty of paying rent in large annual sums.
He recalled an earlier government initiative — the rent-to-own scheme — where residents were allowed to pay just five percent of the cost upfront and settle the remaining balance over ten years. He noted that the positive reception to that scheme gave the government the motivation to consider more flexible rent plans.
“That initiative was well-received, and its success encouraged us to explore new ways to reduce the pressure of yearly rent payment,” he said.
Akinderu-Fatai further noted that many tenants face serious challenges gathering large sums of money to cover yearly rent bills. By allowing monthly or quarterly payments, the government hopes to give renters more room to manage their finances without stress.
“We believe that monthly or quarterly payment options will give people more breathing space and reduce the stress associated with sourcing lump sums,” he added.
To make the system effective, the commissioner mentioned that discussions are ongoing with key parties, including landlords, property developers, and other stakeholders. These talks are focused on handling challenges such as enforcement, payment tracking, and landlord participation.
“Of course, there are issues to resolve — things like landlord cooperation, payment tracking, and enforcement. But discussions are ongoing, and we are listening to all sides,” he said.
He also revealed that the initiative will begin with a pilot program in selected parts of Lagos. This will help the government understand what works best before expanding the system across the entire state.
“This is not just policy on paper. We are making real progress. We know what this means for many families, and we are determined to make it happen,” he stated.
