Thinking about relocating to Lagos? Whether you’re moving for work, business, school or simply looking for a fresh start, there are a few things you should know before moving to Nigeria’s busiest city. Life in Lagos can be exciting and rewarding, but it also comes with its fair share of surprises.
Here are the 10 things Lagosians will truthfully tell you before you relocate.
1. Be Ready to Spend
Lagosians will tell you one thing immediately: budget for everything. Rent is expensive, food is expensive, transport is expensive and even “just stepping out” somehow requires money. In fact if you walk from your house to the gate, you will get a debit alert.
Lagos is fun, but your account balance needs to be equally committed.
2. Artisans Will Frustrate You
If you’re moving into a new apartment, may God be with you. From electricians to plumbers and carpenters, one of them will overcharge you, disappear or tell you they are “five minutes away” for three hours.
Our advice? Compare prices and don’t let anyone know you’re new in town.
3. Learn How to Negotiate
In Lagos, negotiation is a survival skill.
You’ll negotiate with market sellers, artisans, dispatch riders, landlords and sometimes even your employers. If they tell you 50,000 naira, beat it down to 500 naira.
Just know the first price is never the final price.
4. Don’t Let People Know You’re New
Lagos people can almost always tell that you are a JJC. Either from your accent or your smile, so you must learn how to switch personalities quickly. Know when to bring out your inner Portable and when to sound like Temi Otedola.
Be polite, but don’t be too soft.
5. Go House Hunting in Rainy Season
In Lagos, you can get a waterfront apartment even though it’s in a landlocked location, that’s the power of the Lagos rain.
House agents will deliberately sell you a facade, for your own peace of mind, inspect the house during the rainy season so you can expose the lies.
6. Choose Your Location Wisely
Every part of Lagos has its own personality. If you are into entertainment or the creative scene, live on the island, if you are a 9-5er or entrepreneur, mainland is better for you.
And if you value power supply, security or nightlife, there is an area in Lagos for you. As long as your budget is right, you can get a place that suits the lifestyle you want.
7. Avoid Lekki
People may not tell you this, but Lekki is the Sodom and Gonorrhea… sorry, Gomorrah of Lagos.
In between flooding, cheating, overpriced coffee, heartbreak, traffic or unnecessary billing, Lekki has a reputation you don’t want to be associated with.
We all complain about Lekki but somehow we all still end up there.
8. Learn Survival Skills and Return Energy Accordingly
Lagos will humble you if you’re too gentle. Sometimes you have to stand your ground. If somebody gives you gbas gbos, you may need to give small gbas gbos back.
Respect people, but don’t let anybody stress you unnecessarily.
9. People Are Your Biggest Assets
In Lagos, relationships matter. Your driver, neighbour, colleague or random person you met at an event could change your life.
Opportunities move through people, so don’t underestimate connections.
10. Go Outside and Meet People
One mission. Food. Any other thing on the agenda does not concern them.
Small chops, jollof, moi moi, asun — everything must land on their table. Before you know it, they’re already near the food vendors like they personally hired them. Within twenty minutes they already know the names of the waiters, have eaten a three-course meal, and are quietly eyeing the dessert table. They even skipped breakfast this morning. It was always the plan.
