My First Experience in Lagos - by Akinjobi Abraham

People told me Lagos is the "City of Excellence."Lagos itself told me it was a City of Surprise. One fateful day, I entered a bus thinking the journey would take thirty minutes. After one hour, the bus had only moved a few metres. I then asked the driver, "Oga, should we all come down and push this bus?" He laughed and said, "Relax, na Lagos traffic." That was how I got to know about traffic in Lagos. As the bus remained stuck in traffic, one passenger was sleeping peacefully as though we had already reached our destination. Meanwhile, the conductor continued collecting money without showing any sign of concern. I kept wondering why we had not arrived, while everyone else seemed to be completely comfortable. I thought we should have reached our destination by then, but little did I know that Lagos traffic had other plans. To make the journey more interesting, street hawkers surrounded the bus. They were selling everything imaginable—cold water, soft drinks, snacks, phone chargers, handkerchiefs, belts, socks, and even books. I looked around and wondered if someone would soon start selling a television or a refrigerator in the middle of the traffic. Lagos traffic had become a moving marketplace. The funniest part was watching everyone behave as if they were late for a meeting with the richest man. People were walking so fast that I started walking fast too, even though I didn't know where I was going. In Lagos, if you walk slowly, people will overtake you, look at you, and continue their marathon. It felt like everyone was competing in a race that I knew nothing about. Another adventure was crossing the road. Cars, buses, motorcycles, and tricycles were moving from different directions. I stood there for several minutes wondering when it would be safe to cross. Eventually, I simply followed an elderly man who crossed confidently. I told myself, "If this man can do it, then I can too." Then I heard the most common Lagos greeting—not "Good morning," but "Pay me my rent!" Landlords can be really frustrating when it comes to collecting rent. You will always see some of them standing at the entrance of the house, waiting patiently for their tenants. It almost seemed as though collecting rent was their full-time job. Another thing I discovered is that Lagos is not for the weak. Before coming here, I had heard many people say they wished they could live in Lagos. They believed life in the city was easy and full of enjoyment. However, after arriving, many of them discovered that Lagos rewards hard work, not laziness. If you are not hardworking, Lagos will quickly remind you that survival requires determination. The noise in Lagos was another surprise. Everywhere I went, I heard car horns, people shouting, loud music, and generators making noise. At first, it felt overwhelming, but after spending some time in the city, I realised that the noise had become part of everyday life. By the end of the day, I learnt in Lagos, you must be wise, smart, patient, and always expect the unexpected. Lagos can stress you, confuse you, and make you laugh at the same time. Although my first experience was funny and stressful, I survived. Now, whenever someone says, "Welcome to Lagos," I just smile because I finally understand what they really mean. Lagos is truly a city of surprises.

Other insights from Akinjobi Abraham

Referral Earning

Points-to-Coupons