Lagos is the centre of excellence, the engine room of Nigeria and the city that never sleeps. The air of Christmas is sweeping around the city and the Xmas mood has been activated. If you are spending Christmas in the city that prides itself as the heart of the country and hoping to become a mega city the next couple of years, we gather some of the weird and unexpected things that happen to Lagos during Christmas.
You can literarily play football on the highway
The monstrous Lagos traffic will evaporate to the extent that you can play football on the road (Don’t try it). If you spending Christmas in the city for the first time, you will be wondering whether you are in Lagos or somewhere else.
Markets are unusually less busy
One of the interesting things about many Igbos of South East of Nigeria is that they always travel to the East in December. So, markets like who are populated by them are less busy. For example, at Yaba market will be arguably less busy because many people have left Lagos for their countryside.
Prices doubles
Whether you are buying online or offline, prices of groceries and other items have significantly increased. No thanks to the recession. But it is noteworthy to say that only the hospitality industry is arguably shielded from the recession. For example, you can get the best hotel prices on Jumia Travel.
More Security men on the road
Credit to the persons in charge of security in Lagos, they have really tried. This is because when you compare security in Lagos with others, you will appreciate the police. Interestingly, it is days leading to Christmas that you notice more security men on the road and checkpoints. In fact, you will notice that the policemen are nice.
Government sells rice for cheap
Rice is a luxury in Nigeria today due to the ban on its importation. This has made the Lagos state government proactive to grow its own rice. This is a Christmas where government intervenes to sell rice at 12,000 to Lagosians. The normal market price of rice is as much as N28,000. Interestingly, the Lagos state rice is produced locally.
Adeniyi Ogunfowoke is a PR Associate at Jumia Travel.
