"Market Diaries: A Day in the Life of a Lagos Shopper"
 Oshodi station |
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There’s something unique about local markets in Lagos that you can never fully prepare for, no matter how often you visit. Today, I planned to take a brief tour of one (Oshodi market), just to check prices at a jewelry shop, lace shop, and plastic shop. That was the idea. But if you’re familiar with Lagos, you know it didn’t go as smoothly as I had hoped.
 market sellers |  walkway |
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The first thing that struck me literally was the crowd. The market was overflowing. People were moving in every direction, some balancing heavy bags on their heads, others shouting to grab your attention. It felt like I had stepped into a whirlwind of noise, color, and organized chaos. I had to remind myself to breathe as I maneuvered through narrow spaces between stalls, dodging elbows, baskets, and random market vendors.
 Terminal 1 |  Terminal 2 |
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And then came the heat.
The sun was shining intensely in that distinct way the Lagos sun does. Sweat trickled down my back before I even reached my first stop. I wiped my face with a handkerchief more times than I could count. At that moment, I hadn’t purchased anything and already felt exhausted.
Eventually, I found a small jewelry store squeezed between two bigger shops. The display cases were packed with shiny bangles, necklaces, and earrings. Some were simple, while others were bold and eye-catching. When I inquired about the cost of a simple necklace, I nearly burst out laughing at the price. The seller caught my reaction and smiled, commenting on how everything seems pricey these days. She was right. I nodded politely, thanked her, and said I would 'return later.' That’s Lagos style.
 The jewelry shop |
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Next, I headed to the lace shop. I was genuinely looking forward to this part. There’s something so elegant and cultural about lace fabrics that always draws me in. The shop had stunning choices, vibrant colors, floral designs, and smooth textures. I could already envision outfits in my mind. But once again, the prices snapped me back to reality. Even the basic lace was much pricier than I anticipated. When I asked if there was a discount, the shop attendant smiled and said, 'Aunty, better buy now. E no dey come down again o.'
 The lace shop |
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I didn’t purchase anything again. But I carefully noted the prices, thanked the seller, and headed toward the exit.
By this point, I was completely worn out. The noise, heat, pushing, and constant bargaining had drained me. I didn’t even think about checking out the food section or looking at other items. I just wanted to get away, find some cold water, and rest my tired legs.
As I passed by, I spotted a plastic shop and decided to check the prices of some plastic items, but unfortunately, their prices were sky-high. I saw things like towels, water bottles, plates, bowls, children’s school bags, hangers, etc. I only bought a few items from there and continued on my way.
 The plastic shop |
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Despite the stress, I can't ignore that the market has its own rhythm. It's noisy, chaotic, hot, and at times, overwhelming, but it's also vibrant, filled with laughter, interactions, and that unmistakable Nigerian spirit of hard work. You witness people striving to get by, women bargaining with smiles, and children assisting their parents, each individual with their own narrative.
 A selfie in a bus |
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Would I return tomorrow? No, thanks. But I will come back, better prepared with more patience, a cold drink, and perhaps a clearer budget.
For now, I'll take a break and let my feet recover from the chaos of today's market.
Location on #steematlas [//]:# (!steematlas 6.5594375 lat 3.3500625 long Oshodi station d3scr)