Nigerian singer BNXN, formerly known as Buju, has ignited a heated online debate after claiming that living in Lagos is more expensive and chaotic than living in Los Angeles once rent is paid. The Afro-fusion star shared his observations while reflecting on his time abroad, sparking mixed reactions from netizens.
BNXN's Bold Comparison
In a series of social media posts, BNXN stated, "Do you know Lagos is super expensive? It's more expensive than LA." He emphasized that while rent in Los Angeles can soar to $12,000 monthly in prime areas, the daily expenses in Lagos are unpredictable and draining. "Since I got to the United States, I haven't seen one egbon adugbo asking me to press money. Lagos is too expensive abeg. Here you just pay your rent and you're good," he said.
Hidden Costs vs. Visible Structure
The singer's comments highlight a common debate between structured and unstructured expenses. In Los Angeles, costs like rent, taxes, and insurance are high but fixed and predictable. In contrast, Lagos residents often face out-of-pocket expenses for basic amenities such as water, alternative power supply, private security, and inflated transportation due to traffic and fuel scarcity. Rent in Lagos is also unregulated and unpredictable.
Many netizens agreed with BNXN, citing the social pressure in Nigeria as a hidden cost. User @ade_397 noted, "No one dey ask you for urgent 2k or come your house con drink all your drink and stay 1 week to chop all your store food." Another user, @Adebayo11418082, added, "It is dangerous and expensive to look rich in a poor environment."
However, some countered the argument. @OgbeniAdugbo pointed out, "Not having 'egbon adugbo' doesn't mean life is cheaper. In the U.S., you still spend a lot on rent, bills, transport, and insurance. It's just different types of expenses, not necessarily less pressure."
Infrastructure Deficit
Others focused on the lack of infrastructure in Lagos. @IfyOtuyaBrand argued, "Nigeria is too underdeveloped to be as overpriced and expensive as it is." A classic piece of local wisdom shared by @ologunbagbojohn recalled his mother's words after 40 years in the city: "Lagos money ends in Lagos."
Conclusion
The debate underscores a major truth about urban living: in Los Angeles, high costs come with a predictable system and functioning infrastructure, while in Lagos, even if raw prices are lower on paper, inflation, poor infrastructure, and constant social obligations make money disappear just as fast. BNXN's comments have sparked a broader conversation about the true cost of living in Nigeria's commercial capital versus a major U.S. city.
Who is BNXN?
BNXN, born Daniel Etiese Benson in 1997, is a prominent Nigerian Afro-fusion singer, songwriter, and record producer. Formerly known as Buju, he rebranded in 2022 and rose to fame through major collaborations, winning the Next Rated award at The Headies.
