Lagos tales

The story of my first experience living in Lagos, Africa's most populous city, for more than a few days.

Sep 30, 2023

WELCOME TO LAGOS

Lekki residents kick against Lagos State's plan to construct ferry terminal | Premium Times Nigeria

My first visit to Lagos was in 2022 and it lasted just about 7 days which was filled with mostly formal activities so I made a mental note to return.

Unlike Abuja, where the sign welcoming you into the city reads "Welcome to Abuja," the sign welcoming you to Lagos simply states "This is Lagos."😂.

Lagos was the kind of city you grew up learning so much about. It was in the movies, in the news, in Big Aunties and Uncles conversations. My affection for Lagos is weird and difficult to convey. I even wrote in my journal for years about wanting to take a flight to Lagos.

THE SECOND COMING

On the 27th of August, 2023 at about 10:40am the Air Peace flight arrived the Murtala Mohammad International Airport. The Yoruba language heard along the corners as you strolled down the airport alley told you it was Lagos. I had been there a year before, yet I was unaccustomed to the noise, hustle and bustle.

Living in Abuja which is in the Northern part of Nigeria was quite different from Lagos which is in Western Nigeria. While Abuja is an upscale, tranquil, and forested area. Lagos was practically the reverse, with a constant stream of people on the streets and densely packed buildings everywhere.

I got out of the airport and boom, a flock of young men who offered to help me carry my bags. I had been pre informed about this airport boys strategy so I wasn’t exactly the JJC (johnny just come) they thought I was.

TRANSPORTATION

Eventually, I made it down the alley to the parking area after overcoming the airport boys and struggling with my luggage. My phone fell and cracked a little in the process. As an Abuja babe and fresh “Chale” outta Accra, I proceeded to book a ride using the popular Bolt App. I finally caught a ride and made my way home after some back and forth trying to locate the driver and one cancelled ride.

In subsequent moves around, I realised that Bolt riding in Lagos was not yet for me because it was nearly three times as expensive as rides in Abuja. Particularly because of the disparity between the mainland and Island. When I saw the cost of a particular ride after taking it one day, I was on the verge of shedding premium tears.

It didn’t take me long to adjust my transportation strategy to include the Yellow Buses popularly called Danfo. I got to learn about the different bus stops and how to shout “Ikeja wa oh” so that the conductors don’t take me past my bus stop. I still have difficulty pronouning some names but it’s not as weird as it sounded at the beginning.

Let me share a few with you

Oworonshoki, Iyana-oworo, Ojota, Obalende… Can you pronounce them abeg?

I also downloaded a new app called InDrive as recommended by a friend. This helps me not experience the increase in prices as the ride proceeds due to traffic and the thing you heard about Lagos traffic is true!

FOOD

In my first week, I headed straight for a delightful combo of pounded yam and egusi soup, garnished with fish, pomo (cow skin) and turkey. You should try it. Subsequently, I tried Asun too and ooh la la that meal is addictive *lol.

CULTURE

Greetings is a big thing in the Yoruba culture. It isn’t rare to see two elderly people with knees going down saying “Ekaro oh” when greeting each other.

WEATHER (nobody warned me about the rains and mosquitoes)

It rained almost every day when I arrived. I love the weather as the sun isn’t as hot as we have it in Abuja. Additionally, it is humid, which I believe is a result of the city's numerous bodies of water.

The mosquitoes in Lagos go to the gym and they gave me malaria😫 ! As you know, mosquitoes inject you with their proboscis which then moves around and probes until it finds a blood vessel but this Lagos ones, they don’t have proboscis, they have straws and I think they serve the blood in their backpacks to carry along… ahhhh.

TECH & BUSINESS

The tech and business scene is a thriving one with lots of events every week and many companies headquartered here. I can’t deny the grit in the people and the fire in their eyes as they go about their activities. You literally feel the energy in the air!

CONCLUSION

Ilu Eko has been interesting and I can’t wait to explore more. Today’s note gave you a glimpse of Lagos but I’d like you to come see for yourself in the future. A special shout-out goes out to everybody who lives in Lagos or has travelled here🤩👋.

PS: I left a Slang Glossary incase you aren’t familiar with some terms I used.