The Citizens Action Network (CAN) has urged the Lagos State Government to take swift action regarding the rising accommodation costs throughout the state, cautioning that the increasing rents are creating an unbearable strain on workers and low-income families.
In a statement released on Thursday, August 27, 2026, by its Convener, Ade-Adewunmi Adeoye, the group characterized the current rental landscape as exploitative and called for the government to implement strategies that would make housing more affordable for residents.
CAN pointed out that the steep rise in rental prices has made decent housing unattainable for many residents of Lagos, especially those with low or fixed incomes.
The organization reported that tenants in various areas of the state are now facing annual rents of up to N2.5 million for a two-bedroom apartment, while a self-contained room can cost as much as N700,000 per year.
“This is not merely high; it is outrageous,” CAN stated, voicing concerns about how such rental prices can be managed by workers earning the N70,000 minimum wage.
The group highlighted the stark contrast between annual salaries and current rental rates, pointing out that a worker earning the minimum wage makes N840,000 annually.
“Let’s break it down: A worker making the N70,000 minimum wage each month, supporting a family of six, earns N840,000 in a year. This means their entire yearly income is insufficient to cover the rent for a single two-bedroom apartment, let alone expenses for food, school fees, transportation, and healthcare,” the organization explained.
CAN raised concerns about how workers and small business owners can continue to thrive in Lagos given these circumstances.