When in Lagos, do as the Lagosians do

… a guide to street smartness and survival in the centre of excellence

By Opeyemi Kareem.

The city of Lagos is known for its never-ending hustle and bustle. The streets are always alive, the people are always on the move and the trends constantly change. To survive in Lagos, you need to act like a Lagosian. You need to be sharp and able to learn and unlearn the habits of Lagosians.

Being street smart is one sure way to survive the Lagos drama. The streets are taking over and you need the maximum amount of street knowledge you can acquire because Lagos is a wild city.

The first thing you need to know about Lagos and its people is that the majority of residents are erratic. The level of normalcy is zero to none. To survive in Lagos, you need to get in touch with your inner folly so you will not be intimidated. Lagosians are constantly raging because of the congestion, noise, pollution and traffic. It makes them act out in normal situations. To counter these outbursts, you need to be on a lower level of normal and defend yourself else you will be presumed as spineless.

To survive in Lagos, you need to make ‘no smiling’ your motto. The streets of Lagos are not smiling so why should you? You need to put on a mask of seriousness to be taken seriously. A smile on the streets is an indication of naivety and an invitation to be duped or extorted by those who already know the ropes. Do not let your guard down, act tough and be smart.

In Lagos, everyone believes that they know everything even when they don’t and they look out for those who are gullible enough to believe their act. To survive the streets, do not be gullible. In other words, act like you know it all even when you don’t. Do not be easily trusting, especially if a random person approaches you on the road. It is very likely they are pickpockets.

Tosin Majekodunmi shared her experience on her first visit to Lagos. “The one time I came to Lagos for my NYSC, a man walked up to me asking for directions. I explained that I came from another state and from there we indulged in a whole conversation about where I was coming from. I was so happy with the reception; I believed all Lagosians were friendly. I didn’t know how it happened but my phone, wallet and cash disappeared as the man left.”

Be aware of your surroundings. Do not go to a place you do not know in Lagos. Apart from getting lost, you put yourself at the risk of exposure to every worse form of danger you can imagine. It is advisable to go with someone who knows the city like the back of their hand. If you must go alone, be sure to inform as many people as you can about the exact place you will be going to. Lagos is a fun city but there are dangers lurking on every corner.

When you are walking on the streets of Lagos, walk like you have the President of the United States as your bodyguard. The more confident you appear, the less likely it is that you will be approached by pickpockets or those just looking for a fight. You will not stick out with that air of confidence because every other Lagosian is walking with the exact same confidence.

Try to blend in with the Lagos crowd as much as possible. Dressed in a Nike sneaker and adorned with air pods and an Apple watch in Yaba market is a clarion call for the prices of everything you intend to buy to be quadrupled. Blending in is paramount to not being extorted or singled out.

Lagos is for people who can handle it so to survive in this city, become a person who can handle things. Always look around and observe how Lagosians act in certain situations. May the odds be in your favour.

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