They Heard Us, Then They Denied Us Who Does the Lagos Government Really Serve?

By The Accountability and policy Monitoring.

For a fleeting moment, tenants across Lagos dared to hope.

A viral report claimed that the Lagos State Government had updated its Tenancy Law to protect renters from the predatory practices of landlords and estate agents. It sounded like salvation: no more than three months’ rent in advance, capped legal and agreement fees, mandatory rent receipts, and legal safeguards against unlawful evictions. The report felt like a long-awaited answer to the cries of the people.

But just as quickly, that hope was dashed.

The Lagos State Government has since denied the existence of any such update, dismissing the report as misinformation. According to official statements, the law remains untouched. The supposed reform? Fiction. The change we celebrated? A ghost.

Now we must ask: Who is the Lagos State Government truly accountable to the masses or the landlords? The struggling citizens or the real estate cartels?

This isn’t a minor confusion. It’s a betrayal of public trust. In a city where tenants are routinely exploited, this fake news felt like long-overdue justice. For once, it felt like someone in Alausa was listening. But in denying the report, the government didn’t just correct misinformation it crushed momentum. It silenced optimism.

Let’s talk facts.

In Lagos today, landlords demand up to two years’ rent in advance. Agents charge “legal” fees with no lawyers involved. Tenancy agreement fees climb to 20% of annual rent. Receipts are a luxury. Evictions happen without process. Caution fees are collected without explanation or refund. And LASRERA the regulator is too often absent or silent when tenants need protection.

When we thought the law had been updated, we celebrated because we believed change was finally catching up to injustice. That belief has now been weaponized against us. So again we ask: If the law isn’t updated why not?

And if the government isn’t behind these reforms, who is?

The truth is, the Lagos housing crisis has become a war zone. The government cannot keep pretending to be neutral. You’re either standing with the people those who pay taxes, vote, and struggle daily to keep a roof over their heads or you’re enabling those who profit off their suffering.

The Lagos State Government says the tenancy law is under review. That’s not good enough. Not anymore. This review must come with a deadline, a draft bill, a public hearing real action. We are tired of waiting while the agents get richer and the people get poorer.

Governance is not performance. It is responsibility. And in this matter, silence and inaction are a form of violence.

To the Lagos State Government: If you truly stand with the people, update the Tenancy Law, Regulate fees, Ban unlawful evictions. Empower LASRERA to act decisively. Prove that housing in Lagos is not just a privilege for the wealthy but a right for all.

Until then, we will keep asking: Who do you serve?