Nigerian singer-songwriter BNXN has stirred conversations on social media after suggesting that living in Lagos is more expensive than residing in Los Angeles, California.
The artist, formerly known as Buju, shared the opinion while reflecting on his experience since arriving in the United States, drawing comparisons between everyday life in both locations.
According to BNXN, one of the most noticeable differences has been the absence of the informal financial obligations and requests that many successful individuals often encounter back home.
Sharing his thoughts, he said:
“I was telling someone, since I got to the United States, I haven’t seen one egbon adugbo asking me to press money.”
The singer went on to argue that the overall financial pressure associated with living in Lagos outweighs what he has personally experienced in Los Angeles.
He added:
“Lagos is too expensive abeg. Lagos is more expensive than LA (Los Angeles).”
Explaining his position further, BNXN noted that accommodation appears to be the most significant expense in Los Angeles, while other day-to-day costs have not felt as demanding as those he associates with life in Lagos.
In his words:
“The only thing expensive in LA is housing. Here you just pay your rent and you’re good.”
The comments quickly generated mixed reactions online, with some social media users agreeing that the hidden costs of living in Lagos, including transportation, utilities, and social expectations, can make life surprisingly expensive.
Others, however, questioned the comparison, pointing to Los Angeles’ reputation as one of the most costly cities in the United States.
“Once you pay your rent in LA, you’re good; Lagos is super expensive” — Singer BNXN compares life in the US and Nigeriapic.twitter.com/49IOHlGf8H
— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) June 10, 2026
BNXN’s remarks add to the ongoing conversation about the rising cost of living in major African cities and the financial realities faced by both residents and public figures. While opinions remain divided, his comments have once again placed the spotlight on the economic pressures associated with living in Nigeria’s commercial capital.