You honestly can’t come to Lagos and not experience the market life. Even if you’re not going to buy anything, the experience is one in a million. If you go on a busy day, its bustling with activity and everywhere is crowded. You literally find all sorts at the markets in Lagos. There is also a general belief, that things are cheaper in the market than in shops as people in shops go to the market to buy the goods they sell. Apart from general items that can be found in most markets, some are known for concentrating on particular commodities such as ketu mile 12 food market, Idumota for movies etc. I went to one of the markets over the weekend, fortunately for me it was a quiet day, so I wasn’t pushed around and I could get pictures. I haven’t been to the market in ages so I’m glad I went on a day where everything was calm. I used it as a refresher course for when I go to the other markets on a busy day. The market I went to is known as Iponri market and it is located in Surulere. It is literally underneath Eko Bridge. It’s not as big as the other markets that can be found in Lagos but it serves its purpose. It is also a major depot for drinks.
At Iponri Market you can get things from lace, toys, household items to food stuff such as pepper, vegetables, fruits etc. Most people have stalls/shops that they rent, where they display their wares, while others just sit under umbrellas. There are two sections, outside and inside. The outer part is on the roadside and people can quickly buy things while driving or walking by. For more shops and stalls, you have to go inside the market itself, depending on what you want. Like every market in the country, you hear people in their stalls calling out to you asking what you’re looking for, or trying to convince you to patronize them.
Tips where going to the market:
1. Wear comfortable clothes
2. Hold your bags/wallet/belongings properly so it doesn’t get snatched especially on busy days.
3. Do not forget to haggle the prices as you can get a good bargain if you try.
4. Some stalls sell the exact same products cheaper than their counterparts so don’t be in a rush to buy. Go around first and ask for prices.
5. Enjoy shopping or looking around depending on why you went there.
Enjoy the pictures!
Don’t you just love how he interrupted my selfie?
Sometimes in the market, if you’re buying a lot, you can get people to help you carry your things for a minimal fee. They are called ‘alabaru/omolanke’
Lagos is clearly an APC state. Have you gotten your TVC or PVC yet?
My market get up
For more market pictures you can scroll through the gallery. #gallery-1090-5 { margin: auto; } #gallery-1090-5 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-1090-5 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-1090-5 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
Have you ever been to a market in Lagos or Nigeria? What was your experience? Speak on it. *Please not that unravellingnigeria is not affiliated with any party or officially supporting any party in anyway.