‘Lagos Is More Expensive Than London’ — Oyemykke Sparks Debate Over Cost of Living

Nigerian social commentator Oyemykke has sparked an online debate after claiming that living in Lagos can be more expensive than living in London, particularly when everyday lifestyle expenses are taken into account.

Oyemykke made the comparison while discussing his experience living in the United Kingdom in a video shared on Instagram.

According to him, although accommodation remains significantly expensive in London, several other expenses, including food, are more affordable compared with what residents may encounter in Lagos.

“Lagos is more expensive to live in than London; don’t let anyone deceive you,” he said.

Oyemykke argued that people living in Lagos could end up spending more on their day-to-day lifestyle than people living in London.

He acknowledged that rent is a major financial burden in the UK capital, describing accommodation costs as extremely high.

“The only problem we have here is accommodation; rent is stupendously expensive,” he said.

However, he maintained that other categories of spending were comparatively cheaper.

“Aside from that, everything else is affordable. Chicken is cheap, food is cheap,” he added.

Oyemykke specifically mentioned Lagos Island, arguing that the cost of maintaining a lifestyle in that part of Lagos can be particularly high.

“Lagos is very much expensive than UK like crazy, don’t let anyone tell you perhaps, especially Lagos Island,” he said.

His comments trigger debate

The comparison quickly generated discussion online, with social media users weighing the differences between living expenses in Lagos and London.

The debate reflects the difficulty of making a simple city-to-city comparison because the cost of living varies considerably depending on factors such as housing location, income, lifestyle, transportation, food choices and exchange rates.

For example, a current Expatistan comparison estimates that Lagos is substantially cheaper than London overall, while also warning that its figures are based on a limited number of user-submitted prices and should be treated cautiously. Its September 2026 comparison lists food in Lagos as generally cheaper than in London, although some individual items are more expensive.

At the same time, housing is a major pressure point in Lagos. A 2026 Guardian report documented substantial rent increases across the Lagos metropolitan area, with some tenants facing sharp increases while wages have failed to keep pace. The report also highlighted long commuting times as residents move farther away from employment centres in search of more affordable housing.

Why the comparison is complicated

The purchasing-power experience of a person earning in pounds in London can also be very different from that of someone earning in naira in Lagos.

A direct comparison of the price of individual goods does not necessarily show how affordable those goods are relative to local incomes.

Housing provides one example. London is widely recognised for its high rents, but Lagos residents can also face high housing-related costs, including rent, agency and agreement fees, transportation and the cost of living close to major employment and business districts.

Oyemykke's argument therefore focuses largely on his personal experience and perception of everyday spending rather than presenting a comprehensive economic study.

His remarks have nevertheless resonated because many Nigerians living in Lagos regularly discuss the rising costs of accommodation, transportation, food, electricity and other necessities.

Lagos residents face rising living costs.

The pressure on Lagos households has become increasingly visible as the city continues to experience rapid population growth and housing demand.

The Guardian reported in April 2026 that rents across parts of Lagos had risen significantly, with some mainland properties that previously rented for around ₦500,000 reportedly reaching as much as ₦2.5 million annually. The report also noted that some residents have resorted to living farther from Lagos Island because they cannot afford accommodation closer to their workplaces.

This means that the cost of living debate is not limited to the price of food or rent alone.

For many residents, the combined cost of housing, commuting, electricity, domestic expenses and other services determines how affordable life in the city ultimately feels.

A personal claim rather than a settled economic conclusion

Oyemykke's statement that Lagos is more expensive than London should therefore be understood as his personal assessment, rather than a definitive finding that Lagos has a higher overall cost of living.

Available cost-of-living comparisons can produce different results depending on the methodology, exchange rate used, categories measured and income assumptions.

His comments have nonetheless opened another conversation about the financial realities faced by residents of Lagos and Nigerians living abroad.

The central question raised by the debate is not simply whether Lagos or London has higher prices, but how much of an average person's income is required to maintain a reasonable standard of living in each city.

That distinction is important when comparing the economic realities of residents in two cities with very different currencies, wages, housing markets and public-service structures.

For now, Oyemykke's claim remains a talking point that has generated contrasting reactions online, while the broader cost-of-living comparison depends heavily on the specific expenses and economic circumstances being measured.

Source: https://www.gistreel.com/lagos-is-more-expensive-than-uk-dont-let-anyone-deceive-you-oyemykke-sparks-debate-over-comment/