Lagos rent crisis: CAN demands urgent govt intervention

The Citizens Action Network (CAN) has urged the Lagos State Government to immediately tackle the soaring accommodation costs, warning that escalating rents are placing an unsustainable burden on workers and low-income households. In a statement released on Thursday, August 27, 2026, CAN's Convener, Ade-Adewunmi Adeoye, described the present rental situation as exploitative and called for measures to make housing more accessible for residents.

CAN highlighted that the steep rise in rents has made decent accommodation unattainable for many Lagos residents, especially those with low or fixed incomes. The group noted that tenants now pay up to N2.5 million annually for a two-bedroom apartment and up to N700,000 for a self-contained room. CAN emphasized the severity of the issue, stating that a worker earning the N70,000 minimum wage cannot afford even one two-bedroom flat while covering other essentials.

The organization warned that without intervention, the crisis could worsen, forcing more families into informal settlements, overcrowded accommodations, or homelessness. CAN proposed a rent control law to regulate annual rent increases and curb illegal charges imposed by landlords and agents, as well as the establishment of a Rent Monitoring Taskforce to oversee the rental market and take action against exploitative practices.

The group stressed that housing should be a right, not a luxury, and called for urgent action to address the housing crisis before the situation deteriorates further.