The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, has pledged decisive action against the rising cases of extortion by house agents in the state, while reaffirming his commitment to youth empowerment and governance.

Rt. Hon. Ogundoyin made the announcement at a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development, chaired by Prince Adebowale Falana, 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 session, many youths expressed concerns about exploitative practices by house agents, highlighting how unregulated fees and demands have made access to housing increasingly difficult.

In response, the Speaker declared that the Oyo State House of Assembly would establish a committee to draft a bill aimed at regulating house agents and curbing their excesses. He assured stakeholders that the legislation would be completed and presented to Governor Seyi Makinde for assent before the end of the first quarter of 2026.

“This bill will demonstrate how serious the leadership of the House is in addressing the menace of extortion by house agents. It will help protect residents from exploitation and restore sanity to the housing sector in Oyo State,” Rt. Hon. Ogundoyin stated.

Speaking on youth development, the Speaker emphasized his role as a voice of the Youth Parliament and called for increased investment in modern skill acquisition centers. He stressed the importance of equipping youths with relevant skills to thrive in a competitive economy and achieve self-sustainability.

“We should focus attention on developing skill acquisition centers that impart modern skills suited to today’s challenging world. This is crucial for empowering our youths and ensuring they become productive members of society,” he said.

The Speaker also urged young people to shun social vices such as cybercrime (“Yahoo Yahoo”), ritual practices, and other destructive behaviors that undermine personal growth and the state’s image.

The meeting underscores the Oyo State Assembly’s dual focus on protecting citizens from exploitative practices and investing in youth development, signaling a proactive approach to governance that addresses both social and economic challenges.