The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, has announced plans to regulate the activities of house agents in the state to curb widespread extortion and exploitation.

Ogundoyin made this known at the maiden annual stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development, held at the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, Secretariat, Ibadan. The meeting brought together representatives of registered youth organisations and associations across the state.

During the interactive session, several youth leaders raised concerns over the alarming rate of extortion by house agents, lamenting that unregulated practices have made access to housing increasingly difficult and unaffordable for residents.

Responding, the Speaker disclosed that the Oyo State House of Assembly would constitute a committee to draft a bill aimed at regulating the activities of house agents and curbing their excesses.

He assured stakeholders that the proposed legislation would be concluded and transmitted to Governor Seyi Makinde for assent before the end of the first quarter of the year.

According to him, the bill would underscore the seriousness of the House in addressing the menace of extortion and restoring sanity to the housing sector.

“This bill will demonstrate how serious the leadership of the House is about addressing the extortion by house agents. It will protect residents from exploitation and bring long-awaited relief to the people,” Ogundoyin said.

Speaking further, the Speaker described himself as a representative and voice of young people in governance, stressing the need for deliberate and sustained investment in youth development.

He called for the establishment and strengthening of modern skill acquisition centres, noting that contemporary skills are critical for self-reliance and survival in today’s highly competitive environment.

“We must intentionally develop our youths. Attention should be given to skill acquisition centres that focus on modern skills that fit into today’s challenging world, especially in terms of self-sustainability,” he added.

Ogundoyin also urged young people to shun social vices such as cybercrime (Yahoo Yahoo), ritual practices, and other destructive behaviours, warning that such acts undermine their future and tarnish the image of the state.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development, Hon. Adebowale Adebayo Falana, commended the Speaker for his consistent support for youth-oriented initiatives and progressive legislation.

Falana noted that, under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, the executive and legislative arms, in collaboration with the agency, remain committed to empowering youths through advocacy, leadership development, and sustained engagement on socio-economic issues.

He further disclosed that Governor Makinde has approved the reconstruction of the agency’s new building, which will accommodate offices for all youth organisations in the state, alongside a befitting hall for events and recreational activities aimed at youth transformation.

The chairman also announced upcoming programmes of the agency, including the Mic and Mix competition and the 2026 New Year concert, to be headlined by Afrobeat star Olamide Baddo, as part of efforts to boost the state’s creative economy.

In his goodwill message, the Coordinating Director of the agency, Mr. Sangogade Olusumbo, described the meeting as epoch-making, noting that the agency had never experienced such engagement with youths before the current leadership.

He assured that all programmes lined up for 2026 would be fully implemented, adding that the agency remains committed to uplifting youth organisations and promoting all-round development.

Dignitaries at the event included Hon. Adebayo Babajide Gabriel, Hon. Olorunpoto Rahaman Cephas, Hon. Owolabi Olushola, Hon. Modiu Akande Opeyemi, and Hon. Sunkanmi Babalola.

Youth groups represented at the meeting included ARSOYOC, NYCN, NYC, PROTAAN, Association of Entertainment Stakeholders, Oke-Ogun Youth Solidarity Forum, Federation of Boys and Girls, Coalition of Yoruba Youth Movement, and the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development.