Civil Society Condemns Nigeria’s Alarming House Rents As Lagos Landlords Charge Up To N2.5million Despite ₦70,000 Minimum Wage | Sahara Reporters

The group noted that a worker earning ₦70,000 monthly receives ₦840,000 in a year, meaning the entire annual income would not be enough to pay the rent for a two-bedroom apartment costing ₦2.5 million.

The Citizens Action Network (CAN) has condemned the rising cost of house rent across Lagos State, describing the situation as exploitative and calling for urgent government intervention.

The group, in a statement issued on Thursday, August 27, 2026, and signed by its Convener, Ade-Adewunmi Adeoye, said the unchecked increase in house rents was making accommodation increasingly unaffordable for workers and low-income residents across the state.

According to CAN, a two-bedroom apartment now costs about ₦2.5 million per year, while a room self-contained apartment goes for as much as ₦700,000 annually in many parts of Lagos.

“This is not just high, it is criminal,” the group said, adding that the situation has become particularly alarming for workers earning the ₦70,000 minimum wage.

The group noted that a worker earning ₦70,000 monthly receives ₦840,000 in a year, meaning the entire annual income would not be enough to pay the rent for a two-bedroom apartment costing ₦2.5 million.

“Let us do the math: A worker earning the ₦70,000 minimum wage per month with a family of 6 earns ₦840,000 in a year. That means his entire annual salary cannot even cover rent for one 2-bedroom flat, not to talk of feeding, school fees, transport, and healthcare,” CAN said.

The group questioned how labourers, artisans, petty traders and other low-income earners who contribute significantly to the Lagos economy could cope with the escalating cost of accommodation.

“What then happens to labourers, artisans, petty traders, and other low-income earners who keep Lagos running?” the group asked.

CAN warned that the worsening housing crisis could force more families into slums, overcrowded apartments and homelessness if the government failed to intervene.

“If the government does not intervene now, this crisis will spiral out of hand. More families will be pushed into slums, overcrowded rooms, and homelessness,” the group said.

The group called on the Lagos State Government to urgently enact a rent control law to regulate annual rent increases and tackle what it described as illegal charges imposed by landlords and agents.

It also demanded the establishment of a Rent Monitoring Taskforce to sanction landlords and agents accused of exploiting and harassing tenants.

CAN further urged the state government to massively invest in affordable public housing that low-income workers can afford.

The group said access to housing should not be treated as a luxury reserved for those who can afford exorbitant rents.

“Housing is a right, not a luxury. We need Homes For All,” it said, urging the government to act before the housing crisis becomes more severe.

“The people cannot continue to suffer. The time to act is now, before the situation gets completely out of hand,” the group said.