My landlord just raised my rent by 40% and called it 'market reality'

So I get a call this morning from my landlord. He says he's increasing my rent by 40% because of 'market reality'. The same apartment that had a leaking roof for six months and a gate that only opens if you know the secret angle. I asked if the market reality included fixing the bathroom tiles that are slowly becoming a swimming pool. He laughed. Actually laughed.

I ran the calculation. My USD salary means I can absorb it, but the principle is annoying me. The bigger issue is what this means for everyone else in the building. The woman upstairs sells food at the local market, she told me she's already struggling. If he raises her rent too, she might have to move. This is Lagos in 2026, the numbers don't lie. It's not just my pocket, it's the whole ecosystem.

I said I'd think about it. Then I called my uncle who is a lawyer. He said I have rights, but going to court for a rent dispute in Lagos is like signing up for a part-time job you never get paid for. I'm just tired. When did rent become a negotiation with a man who thinks 'maintenance' is a foreign word?