By Kingsley Adegboye

The Estate Rent and Commission Agents Association of Nigeria (ERCAAN) has advocated that only licensed estate agents should be permitted to operate in Lagos State, while insisting that the licensing process must not become an “all-comers’ affair.”

The association also called for continuous training and human capacity development of its members, as well as the establishment of a standing committee of recognised professionals to support the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) on policy and internal matters affecting estate agents’ associations.

The demands were made during the presentation of LASRERA operating licences to successful ERCAAN members who had completed the required training.

Speaking at the event, ERCAAN National President, Mr Godwin Alenkhe, said restricting practice to licensed agents is essential to sanitise the sector, protect the public and entrench professionalism.

“Property owners must engage only licensed agents and consultants. This is the only way to sanitise the sector, protect the public and ensure professionalism,” he said.

“Licensing should not be an all-comers’ affair. Anyone wishing to obtain this licence must first belong to a recognised association of estate agents and must obtain an approval/recommendation letter from his or her association.”

Alenkhe noted that ERCAAN has made training compulsory for every member before licence renewal. He also proposed the creation of a Standing Committee of recognised professionals, as provided for in the LASRERA Law, to assist the Agency with policy and internal matters of estate agents’ associations.

Congratulating the new licence recipients, he said: “This is not just a certificate; it is a call to professionalism, integrity and service.”

He specially thanked ESV. Ayodeji Amodu Ejalonibu, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Housing, who was the Special Guest of Honour, and Engr. Abdullatif Gbolahan Toriola, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, for facilitating an additional one-month extension granted by the state government for the training of ERCAAN members.

In his address, Lagos State Chapter Chairman of ERCAAN, Godwin Daniel Oluwaseun, described the licence presentation as the official start of a new journey towards strengthening professionalism, accountability and credibility in the real estate industry.

“Today is not just about receiving a certificate, but the official start of a new journey and a shared dream brought to life. It is a significant step towards strengthening professionalism, accountability and credibility within the real estate industry in Lagos State,” he said.

He commended LASRERA for its efforts in regulating the sector and expressed the chapter’s readiness to develop synergy with the Lagos State Government, particularly LASRERA and law enforcement agencies, to eradicate quackery, fraud and unregistered operators masquerading as property and rental agents.

“Let us remember that regulation is not meant to hinder our businesses; it is designed to protect practitioners, property owners, tenants, investors and the general public,” he added.

ESV. Ayodeji Amodu Ejalonibu, who represented the state government as Special Guest of Honour, described the licensing exercise as long overdue.

“What we are doing today is long overdue. Lagos government is helping ERCAAN and ERCAAN is helping Lagos State government. There is quackery in every profession. You should be honest in your dealings with people as real estate agents. You should embark on training and retraining for capacity building,” he said.