Nollywood actress Lilian Esoro has joined the growing chorus of frustration over skyrocketing rent increases in Lagos, publicly supporting a Nigerian entrepreneur’s emotional video about unaffordable hikes in Banana Island.
In a widely shared Instagram Reel, the unnamed entrepreneur detailed how her business premises in the upscale Banana Island area received a 392.31% rent increase.
She also revealed that her company had been served yet another increment notice, pushing the annual rent to ₦50 million. “What am I selling? I can’t anymore,” she lamented, describing the situation as “pure evil” and accusing landlords of showing zero empathy amid Nigeria’s tough economic climate.
Reacting to the video, Lilian Esoro reposted the content with a heartfelt plea: “God help me! God help us all.”
The actress revealed that her own business had also been hit with a massive rent increment, expressing deep empathy for struggling business owners.
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“Same house you already own, with no renovations done, and you increase the rent just because you can. On what ground?” Esoro questioned. She highlighted how repeated hikes are forcing businesses to frequently relocate, shut down operations, or lay off staff, worsening the hardship for workers and entrepreneurs.
The actress, however, called on landlords to show more empathy and kindness, urging them to consider the current economic realities faced by tenants.