Lagos, these three words come to mind. Business, pleasure, and traffic. It would be a gross injustice to leave out the latter. This seductive city is characterised by its vigour and an intensely motivating atmosphere.
Everyone seems to be going somewhere fast, always on the move, always on the go. Trying to leave their footprints on the earth of this city. Sometimes, if you listen close enough on a typical Monday morning rush, you will hear the pounding hearts of men and women who have to somehow get somewhere in time. The combination of these heartbeats makes Lagos the blood supply of the nation.
Lagos is Nigeria’s centre of excellence, but if the nation was human, Lagos would make up its entire circulatory system. If she was a cup of coffee, this city is the cream that has risen to the top. This beautiful abode has a way of seducing even the most ardent pessimist into believing that virtually anything is possible.
Below is a list of practical reasons why Lagos is a fantastic place to live;
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1. The People
The best thing about Lagos is the people. The country’s largest financial hub is home to people in varying class. Yet, there is little or no discrimination. There is a high level of intermarriage and mixing of cultures in Lagos. There are people from different tribes such as; Igalas, Hausas, Itsekiris, Igbos, and Yorubas whose Lagos has become their settlement.
Some Lagos residents are businessmen and women, civil servants, proprietors and proprietress, professors, lecturers, and professional among others. Others are food sellers, clerics, tea sellers, shoe repairers, tailors, local barbers and countless other folks who help define and give colour to Lagos. There are a lot of people from other parts of Nigeria whose first home is Lagos, as they were born here. Lagosians are friendly, kind and have the most incredible smiles!! They are wonderful.
2. The Economy
Lagos’ economic success sets it apart as a benchmark for other states in Nigeria. Her internally generated revenue (IGR), which is mainly through taxes stood at $1.3 billion in 2015—three times more than the state with the second most IGR and 39% of the total IGR by Nigeria’s 36 states.
In 2014, Lagos’ GDP (Gross Domestic Product) was pegged at $90 billion. This made her economy stand out as the 7th largest in Africa. Remarkably, Lagos’ immense commercial potential belies its size. The smallest state out of Nigeria’s 36, Lagos’s size area is dwarfed in comparison with Africa’s biggest economies.
3. Employment Opportunities
Lagos is Nigeria’s hub of immense employment opportunities. Whatever you do well, you have a market to sell it in Lagos. Youths drift from other parts of the country just to get a job in the nations’ commercial capital. With so many branches and head offices of multinational companies, Lagos has retained her position as the nation’s abode of employment opportunities.
4. The Hangout Spots
The recreational places in Lagos give a form of escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. The amazing hangout spots in Lagos will thrill anyone. You don’t necessarily have to go all the way to the island for a good time. There are fantastic places to kick back and relax in Lagos. Major hangout spots in Lagos are; exclusive hotels, night clubs, malls, gardens and beaches.
5. Transportation
A BRT (Bus Rapid Transport) ride will give any foreigner a welcoming feel of this amazing city. Possibly when he/she doesn’t have to queue for long or board an overloaded bus. An encounter with the bus drivers, agberos, and conductors also gives an insight into the lifestyle in Lagos. Aside from high-traffic areas, most roads are easy to navigate and there are traffic lights and signs to keep you in check.
6. Feeding
It is generally believed the cost of feeding in other states may be lower than that of Lagos, I partly disagree with that because, in Lagos, you can eat according to your pocket. With 150 NGN, a meal (rice- 70, plantain- 30, and meat-50) at the nearby canteen may be a good idea. There are also a number of yummy street foods that you will like. Fan milk, boli, epa, ewa goin, bread and puff-puff among others. There are also some hangout spots where is a meal is as expensive as 10,000 NGN.
7. Accommodation
Getting an apartment for rent or for sale is easy. You can also get what suits you or what suits your pocket. Accommodation in Lagos is a bit expensive; but, there are cheap apartments on the mainland. From flats to studio apartments and serviced apartments, you can get a property for rent or for sale in minutes via www.tolet.com.ng. Lagos also has a floating city (Makoko) built over the water and people travel through waterways.
8. Accessibility to Nearby Countries
Lagosians can easily go trips to Benin Republic, Ghana and other neighbouring countries. This is because Lagos has a land border with the Benin Republic through which residents travel to many other West African countries like Togo, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Liberia by road. Lagosians can go all the way.
9. The Airports and Sea Ports
Lagos handles about 80% of the country’s import. This port of Lagos is also in the list of top 10 in Africa Lagos residents are connected to the world via the international airport and the seaports. Lagosians can book flights to any city in the world and jet out to their destination within the shortest possible time. With the presence of two seaports, the residents can order for goods from any part of the world.
10. Education
Lagos is the hub of some of the country’s most popular citadels of knowledge with very good primary schools and secondary schools that have proven to stand out. Qualitative and affordable education is assured here. Lagos is also home to a lot of reputable public and private universities, which make access to tertiary education easier in the city.
11. The Markets
As Nigeria’s commercial capital, there are also some major markets in Lagos. Goods are available at the most affordable rates in these markets. Some of these markets are patronised by people from other states. There are also roadside shops, hawkers, and kiosk owners that meet the domestic needs of people.
12. The Unexpected Appeal
Lagos is a beautiful place to live in terms of building an individual’s strength and capacity. Most Lagosians learn street sense easily. Lagos is also a place that pushes her residents to be independent. The Lagos story is quite amazing. There are a lot of major churches and mosques here. It is the Jerusalem of Nigeria and West Africa in general as people troop in to worship on prayer mountains such as; Redeemed Christian Church of God, Mountain of Fire Church, and Winners Chapel.
You must be talking about the Lagos of yore. Definitely NOT Lagos of today. Now it is filthy. lawless, dangerous, over-crowded, expensive and unfriendly. Go to Costain, Oyingbo, Yaba, CMS, Maryland Apapa, Ojuelegba, Sabo and tell me what is pleasant about any of them. A city that has so much law enforce presence on the road…police, LASMA, VIO, bad more yet everywhere us chaos, recklessness, lawlessness and utter ugliness!