Nigerian singer Daniel Benson, popularly known as BNXN, has stirred debate online after claiming that living in Lagos is more expensive than residing in the United States.
The Afrobeats star, who recently relocated to the US, said life abroad feels more organised and less demanding despite the economic challenges people face there.
Speaking during a TikTok livestream, BNXN compared his experiences in both locations, arguing that Lagos places greater financial and social pressure on residents.
“I was telling someone, since I got to the United States, nobody has asked me to give them money. And people are also suffering here,” he said.
The singer noted that while housing remains costly in the US, other aspects of daily life are relatively affordable compared to Lagos.
“Lagos is super expensive. It is more expensive than Los Angeles. Aside from housing, every other thing in LA is not expensive. For instance, I am paying $12,000 monthly for my rent. Here you just pay your rent, and you’re good.”
BNXN’s comments have sparked mixed reactions across social media, with some users agreeing that the hidden costs of living in Lagos — including transportation, power supply, security and social obligations — can make life unusually expensive.
Others, however, questioned his comparison, pointing to the significantly higher cost of housing, healthcare and other essential services in major American cities such as Los Angeles.
The remarks have reignited conversations about the true cost of living in Lagos and whether Africa’s commercial capital now rivals some of the world’s most expensive cities in terms of everyday expenses and lifestyle pressures.
