Incident triggers online debate as Lagos government considers law to curb arbitrary evictions and rising commercial rents

A Lagos-based entrepreneur has raised alarm after she was sacked from two separate business locations in the state, despite investing millions of naira in renovations. The incident, which gained attention through a viral video on Monday, has revived concerns over commercial tenancy rights and landlord practices in Nigeria’s commercial capital.

According to the businesswoman, who narrated her ordeal online, she was first issued a quit notice by her original landlord who claimed to need the property for personal use. She later discovered the premises had been rented out again to another tenant running a similar business. “They gave us a quit notice. She claimed she wanted to use it for her personal use just to rent it to somebody else. I was doing the same business,” the entrepreneur lamented.

After downsizing into a smaller shop in hopes of stabilising her business, she faced yet another eviction when her new landlord announced plans to demolish the building. “Then we had to downsize to a smaller space, try to recover from the losses and everything. We’re thinking we’re going to be able to manage this for a while and back to square one, the landlord said he wanted to demolish it, to pack out, and gave us quit notice,” she said.

Her story has sparked widespread reactions on social media platforms, with many Nigerians criticising what they described as exploitative behaviour by landlords. Some commentators stressed the need for stronger legal agreements before tenants invest heavily in rented spaces. One user wrote: “How about we start holding landlords accountable? And we start taking paperwork seriously?” Another added that tenants should always engage lawyers and ensure contracts specify minimum occupancy periods before renovations are made.

The development comes as Lagos State Government is considering new tenancy regulations aimed at curbing arbitrary rent increases, illegal charges by estate agents, and unregulated eviction practices. Rising rents and frequent tenancy changes have become major challenges for small businesses in high-demand areas such as Victoria Island and Lekki. In recent weeks, other entrepreneurs have reported sharp increases in commercial rent—some exceeding 390 percent—while actress Lilian Esoro also disclosed that her own business premises now attract annual rents of up to ₦50 million.

While some commentators sympathised with the affected entrepreneur’s plight—”My heart honestly goes out to her,” one user posted—others urged all parties involved in commercial property transactions across Lagos and beyond to adopt more transparent practices and adhere strictly to legal requirements moving forward.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/lagos-businesswoman-cries-out-after-eviction-from-her-shop-despite-spending-millions-on-renovation-2026062413124819619