If you’ve been living in Lagos, you’d know that the state has a lot of markets and shopping centres. There’s a place to get everything. In fact, people often travel from other states in the country to buy stuff in Lagos because it is usually cheaper and there is a lot of variety to choose from.
We held a Twitter space where we listed most of the popular markets in Lagos and what you can get in them. Check them out here.
Also known as Lagos Island or Island Market, this is probably the biggest market in Lagos. You can literally find anything there if you know your way around. It’s very popular for cheap fabric, ready-to-wear clothes and household items. The market is located close to CMS/Marina.
As the market has a lot to offer, it also has a lot of people selling, buying, trooping in and trooping out, so you have to be careful, you might go there to buy stuff and come out without your phone and wallet. You could also get lost if you don’t know your way around.
Oyingbo is pretty known for fresh foodstuff and food ingredients. The market comes alive in the morning and that is usually the best time to go there. It is located close to Yaba and Surulere.
Just like Oyingbo, Mile 12 is a great market for fresh foodstuff especially fruits and vegetables. The food items arrive straight from the north in trucks and you can buy in large quantities and at wholesale prices. The market is located on the road to Ikorodu, just after Ketu.
The biggest issue with Mile 12 is the terrain. During the rainy season, most of the ground is wet and marshy so you need boots to go everywhere. Going there without boots means you’re okay with dipping your legs and shoes in mud and dirt.
While this market is a bit generalist, it’s popularly known for ready-to-wear clothes, both new and second-hand. The market is pretty easy to navigate and move around.
However, it has gotten a bad reputation as many of the “salespeople” do not know how to keep their hands to themselves. There’s always someone trying to drag you to their shop to check out their “stock jeans.”
Oshodi is what you’d call a multi-market because it’s actually a couple of markets in one. There’s the main Oshodi market where a lot of stuff from curtains to food items and footwear are sold, there’s Arena where you can buy just clothes and fashion items then there’s another market by the rail line that’s devoted to thrift wear.
Despite being very open and spacious, Oshodi is one of the scariest markets in Lagos because the pickpockets are so good that you might not realise what you’ve lost until you’re halfway to your house.
Ladipo is easily the biggest auto parts market in West Africa. The market has so many spare parts that some people say you can even find parts for aeroplanes if you know where to look.
Whenever your car develops an issue that needs new parts to fix, this is where your mechanic probably goes to The market is located on the Oworonshoki-Apapa Expressway.
Prices in Ladipo can differ by N10,000 to N100,000 depending on how good your bargaining skills are, so always price ruthlessly.
There’s nobody in Lagos that doesn’t know about computer village. Even people that do not live in Lagos have heard about it one way or the other. It’s either they’ve heard about the swapping of phones to akpu or the array of devices and accessories that you can get. What most people don’t know is that you can also get fashion items in the market, from clothes to bags and shoes.
If you have a ceremony, marriage, birthday, anniversary, or religious holiday, and you need livestock for your celebration, then Kara market is your best bet. It is the biggest livestock market in Lagos and you can get cows, rams and goats at great prices.
The market is located in the outskirts of the state, after Berger and can be hard to navigate. Apart from the dirty floors due to the animal droppings, it also has a very pungent smell that you can’t escape. The good news is that you get used to it after a few visits.
Aswani Market is known for two things, herbs and winter clothes. The market has a large collection of second-hand winter clothes and other items you might need if you plan to leave the country. The market also has a section for used electronics like fridges and air conditioners. Aswani is located on the same expressway as Ladipo.
This market is located in Apapa, close to the seaport and is known for used kitchen utensils and equipment that have been brought from across the ocean. It’s hardly accessible because of the bad roads leading to Apapa but if you can find it, you’d get a lot of things for cheap.
This is a very popular market for used home appliances like fridges, ACs, TVs, Microwaves etc. The items are usually cheap and of very high quality. Some of them are even close to new and can last for a lifetime.
Honourable Mentions
Katangua – For winter clothes like jackets
Volks – For used utensils and appliances
Somolu – For printing and designs
Yaba – For books and musical instruments.
It goes without saying that you should be very vigilant whenever you’re in markets and be unapologetic about bargaining. Price like your life depends on it, well, your pocket does. We hold a biweekly Twitter Space on Saturday mornings called Hacking Lagos to talk about Lagos and how you can get the best from life in the city that never sleeps. Don’t miss it. Visit Eden Marketplace here.