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Lawyer, public affairs analyst and legal content creator, Oluwatodimu Ige, popularly known as Oga_the Lawyer on social media, has urged Nigerians to understand their tenancy rights to avoid exploitation by landlords and property agents.
Ige, who recently published a book titled: “Know Your Tenancy Rights in Nigeria”, said the publication was inspired by recurring complaints from Nigerians seeking help with disputes involving landlords, agents and tenancy agreements.
He said he was moved to write the book after repeatedly receiving messages from tenants who complained about landlords locking them out of their apartments, removing their roofs over unpaid rent and property agents absconding with their money.
In this interview, he explains the legal protections available to tenants, the controversy surrounding agency and legal fees, his mission to make legal knowledge accessible to ordinary Nigerians.
What inspired you to write Know Your Tenancy Rights in Nigeria? Was there a particular experience that convinced you that such a book was necessary?
It was not one particular case. It was a recurring pattern of complaints from Nigerians who reached out to me through social media. The complaints were almost identical, even though they came from different people.
Someone would say, “Oga, my landlord has locked my door.” Another would complain that the landlord had removed the roof because of two months’ unpaid rent. Others would say an agent collected their money and disappeared.
After a while, I realised I was answering the same five questions almost every week. Nigerians were not short of courage; they were short of information about their rights.
I began to understand that when the same problem keeps appearing in your inbox, answering people individually is not enough. You need to create something that can reach thousands of people and provide answers even when you are not available. That was the motivation behind the book. I wanted to put the relevant legal information in one place so that tenants could understand their rights, recognise when those rights were being violated and know the appropriate steps to take.
One of the biggest challenges tenants face is the relationship with their landlords, particularly when rent expires or payment is delayed. What does the law say about landlords who take the law into their own hands?
This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of tenancy law in Nigeria. Many people believe that once a tenant fails to pay rent or the tenancy expires, the landlord has the automatic right to throw the tenant out.
That is not how the law works.
Under the applicable tenancy laws, particularly, the Lagos State Tenancy Law, a landlord cannot simply resort to self-help to recover possession of a property. He cannot change the locks, remove the doors, disconnect electricity, throw the tenant’s belongings outside or demolish parts of the property because the tenant owes rent.
There is a prescribed legal procedure for recovering possession. The landlord must serve the appropriate statutory notices and where necessary, approach a court to obtain an order for possession. The important thing tenants must understand is that owing rent is a debt to be recovered, not a licence to harass or intimidate them. Landlords also have rights and tenants have obligations. However, both parties must operate within the law. Nobody is entitled to take the law into their own hands simply because they own a property.
Agency and legal fees have also become contentious issues in the Nigerian property market. Many agents and lawyers routinely demand 10 per cent of the annual rent. Is this mandatory under the law?
That is another area where Nigerians need proper information. There is a widespread belief that agents and lawyers are automatically entitled to 10 per cent of the rent in every tenancy transaction.
The truth is that there is no universal legal rule prescribing a mandatory 10 per cent charge for every tenancy transaction. People often confuse prevailing market practices with legal obligations.
Fees charged by agents and legal practitioners must be understood within the applicable laws, professional regulations and the agreements reached by the parties. They are not automatically fixed at 10 per cent simply because that is what some people have become accustomed to charging. Tenants should understand what they are paying for, ask questions and ensure that the charges are properly explained before making payments.
One of the things I wanted the book to achieve was to empower tenants to challenge unjustified charges rather than blindly accepting every amount demanded from them.
Your book is written in very accessible language, unlike many legal publications that can be difficult for ordinary people to understand. Was that a deliberate decision?
Absolutely. I deliberately wrote it the way I communicate on my social media platforms. I wanted it to sound like your elder brother who happens to be a lawyer.
The chapters are short, the language is simple, and the examples are drawn from everyday experiences. I discuss situations involving a landlord demanding two years’ rent upfront, a tenant refusing to pay, an agent who collects money and disappears, and other familiar experiences in the Nigerian property market.
Every legal explanation must answer one fundamental question: “So, what do I do?”
I am not interested in displaying legal grammar or making the book unnecessarily complicated. If a market woman in Ikeja and a banker in Lekki can both read it, understand their rights and know the next step to take, then I have achieved my objective. Legal knowledge should not be reserved for people who studied law or those who can afford expensive legal consultations.
Although the book focuses largely on the Lagos State Tenancy Law, can tenants in other states also benefit from it?
Yes, they can benefit from its broader principles, but they must understand that tenancy laws are not necessarily the same across all states.
The book draws primarily on the Lagos State Tenancy Law because of the environment in which I practise and the nature of the complaints I receive. However, the fundamental issues surrounding tenancy agreements, the obligations of landlords and tenants, the recovery of possession and the importance of proper documentation are relevant across the country. That said, provisions relating to notice periods, advance rent, recovery of premises and other tenancy requirements may differ from one jurisdiction to another.
My advice to readers outside Lagos is to use the book as a guide to understanding the issues but also consult the specific laws applicable in their states. They should not assume that every provision of the Lagos law automatically applies elsewhere.
What practical steps should Nigerians take to protect themselves before renting an apartment?
The first thing is to insist on a written tenancy agreement. Do not rely entirely on verbal promises, no matter how friendly or trustworthy the landlord or agent appears. The agreement should clearly state the rent, duration of the tenancy, payment arrangements, responsibilities of both parties and the conditions for renewing or terminating the tenancy.
Secondly, obtain receipts for every payment. Whether you are paying rent, agency fees, legal fees or any other charges, make sure there is documentary evidence.
Thirdly, verify the identity of the landlord or the authority of the agent to act on the landlord’s behalf before transferring money. Do not allow desperation to get accommodation to make you careless.
If you are threatened with unlawful eviction, document what happens, preserve relevant messages and payment records, seek legal advice and report appropriate criminal conduct to the police.
Above all, avoid physical confrontation. You may have a legitimate grievance but the best way to protect your rights is to follow the law.
As I always say, get it in writing. Insist on a written tenancy agreement and receipts for every naira. No receipt, no evidence.
Beyond tenancy rights, you have built a considerable following as Oga_theLawyer. How do you balance legal practice with creating content for social media?
Practice comes first. My clients pay my bills and keep me professionally sharp. The content flows from my legal practice, not the other way round. I do not chase every social media trend or feel compelled to comment on every issue that becomes popular. If I do not have something useful, accurate or meaningful to contribute, I would rather remain silent.
There is a responsibility that comes with being a lawyer and communicating legal information to a large audience. People may rely on what you say when making important decisions about their lives, property, businesses and relationships.
So, I have a simple rule: say it correctly or do not say it at all. I also ensure that my content does not create the impression that a short social media video can replace professional legal representation. The purpose is to educate people, help them understand their rights and guide them on when to seek the services of a lawyer.
How did the Oga_theLawyer brand emerge and what accounts for its growing popularity among Nigerians?
I believe consistency and trust have played significant roles. People are more likely to listen when they know you are not deliberately trying to frighten them or impress them with complicated legal terminology. I try to explain issues in a way that ordinary Nigerians can understand and relate to. The name Oga_the Lawyer also reflects the identity I want the brand to communicate. It combines familiarity with respect. I want people to feel comfortable approaching legal information without being intimidated by the profession.
My objective is not simply to attract followers or generate engagement. I want people to leave my platforms better informed than they were before they came across my content. When someone tells me that a video helped them avoid a mistake, understand a legal document or recognise that their rights were being violated, that is meaningful progress.
As a legal content creator, you sometimes express opinions on controversial issues. How do you handle criticism, particularly when your interpretation of the law is unpopular?
My responsibility is to explain what the law says, not necessarily what people want to hear.
Sometimes, the law may produce an outcome that people consider unpopular or unfair. That does not mean a lawyer should distort the law to satisfy public sentiment.
My job is to say what the law is, even when people disagree with it. However, I also believe in distinguishing between the law and my personal opinion. There are provisions of existing laws that may require review or reform and I am entitled to express an opinion about them. But when I am explaining the law, I must be clear about what the law actually provides and what represents my personal position. Criticism is part of public engagement. What matters is that the information being provided is accurate, responsible and properly grounded in the law.
You have written about tenancy rights. What other areas of law are you looking to address through future publications?
I intend to publish more books covering issues that affect Nigerians in their everyday lives.
Some of the areas I am considering include employment rights, police-citizen relations and property purchases. For employment rights, I want to address issues such as wrongful termination, unpaid salaries, employment contracts and the obligations of employers and employees. On police-citizen relations, the focus will be on helping Nigerians understand their rights during encounters with law enforcement officers, including what they should do when those rights are violated.
I also want to address property acquisition, particularly the dangers associated with buying land from unauthorised persons, inadequate verification and transactions that could result in people losing their investments. These are everyday problems that affect ordinary Nigerians and I believe accessible legal publications can help prevent many of them.
Ultimately, what impact do you hope Know Your Tenancy Rights in Nigeria and your other legal education initiatives will have on society?
My broader mission is to ensure that Nigerians do not lose their money, homes and other fundamental rights simply because they lack access to reliable legal information.
Too many people lose rights, they never knew they had, simply because they could not afford to ask questions or consult a lawyer. Sometimes, a book costing ₦5,000 or a free one-minute video can save someone from losing ₦500,000 or even their home. That is why I believe legal knowledge should not be a luxury. It should be accessible to everyone, irrespective of their income, educational background or social status.
Of course, a book or social media video does not replace a lawyer. Every legal situation has its peculiarities and some matters require professional representation.
But legal education helps people recognise when something is wrong, understand the options available to them and know when they need to seek professional assistance.
Ultimately, I want to build a society where people are not easily exploited because they do not understand the law. An informed citizen is better equipped to protect his rights, fulfil his obligations and demand accountability.
That, for me, is the real value of legal education.
