A jungle is a place filled with many animals of different species. You need to live in Lagos to understand this unique comparison. It’s not about having animals. It’s about surviving. And Lagos is a jungle where people try to survive.
An overview of Lagos
Lagos is one of the most populous cities in Nigeria, if not the world. It is the fastest-growing city in the world, with a population of 21 million.
The name “Lagos” was given by Portuguese traders who arrived in Eko. Lagos is a Portuguese word for ”lake”. No wonder, water is very plenty in this part of Nigeria. This city is the nation’s commercial capital.
Because of the large population, things can go from 0 to 100 real quick. Lagosians never waste time showing their true color.
The phrase ‘Lagos is a jungle’ was first heard from the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, who described Lagos as an urban jungle not fit for human habitation.
At the launching of the Global Campaign for Good Urban Governance in Nigeria, he said, “Lagos, with its notoriety, qualifies as an urban jungle which should not be inhabited by any sane person”.
If you have lived in Lagos for an extensive period of time, chances are, you may not be alright in the head. Because let’s be real; Lagos is indeed a jungle.
It is a great place for tourists to visit, but it is filled with hustlers. People willing to make it, almost by any means necessary. The hustling spirit is in every Lagosian. They desperately want to make it in this jungle.
It’s you vs Lagos all day.
SEE: 7 Tourist Attractions in Africa You Need to Visit
Things to know about Lagos: the jungle
You can never escape traffic
Also known as go slow, traffic is the essence of Lagos. You cannot step out of your house and expect the roads to be free. Except if you’re a high commissioner and don’t have to worry about mixing with civilians. If not, you have to suffer in this with everybody.
And along with the traffic is the madness that occurs in between. When it comes to hustling for traffic in Lagos, one must possess a tactical eye to identify strategic openings, speed to go for it, and strength to disable opponents – all the qualities of a world-class striker.
Something like this…
This is one of the reasons why Lagos is a jungle.
The center of entertainment
Lagos is the headquarter of entertainment in Africa, housing famous Nigerian actors, musicians, and comedians. It is the right place to start your singing, acting and dancing dreams.
Why? You will have access to the right network and resources. With the right amount of luck, you can bump into MAVIN boss, Don Jazzy, or Olamide.
Or Portable. It is a jungle, after all.
READ: 10 Best Private Hospitals in Lagos
Madness is required to survive
Remember when we mentioned above that if you’ve been living in Lagos for a long while, chances are, you’re not alright in the head? This is what we were referring to.
You can be on the road and see a well-dressed young man speaking English with a posh accent one second, and in the blink of an eye, he switches to pidgin or his native language as he drags N50 change with a conductor. A driver can be in his car, listening to Tope Alabi and praising God with one hand on the steering wheel while the other stretches out the window to insult a fellow driver like…
Anybody new to Lagos (or Nigeria as a whole) might probably be shocked at the sudden switch. This is a mistake. Just because someone dresses well and looks like a pastor doesn’t mean they are 100% normal. Roses are red, violets are blue no be for Naija.
There is a certain Nigerian slang: JJC, also known as Jonny Just Come. This is used to denote a person who is new to a certain locale and thus, is easy pickings. And the worst place you can be a JJC is in Lagos.
To survive in Lagos, you must be able to respond as the situation demands. If things are posh, be posh with it. And when it looks like everyone around you wants to be moving mad, remove your tie aggressively and throw down.
Don’t send anybody’s papa. In fact, include them in the insult.
READ: Lagos to Abuja by road Prices 2023
Home of Street Food
You cannot be hungry in Lagos.
Everywhere you turn, you have access to different foods. This ranges from snacks, cooked food, finger food, assorted meat, fruits, and local drinks like Zobo, etc.
You want alcohol? E dey for road.
Undoubtedly, one will find cravings, from local dishes to intercontinental dishes.
We got you covered.
SEE: Craziest Places in Nigeria
Lagos Doesn’t Sleep
Lagos during the day is no different from Lagos at night. It is the city that never sleeps! People are always awake and it’s always for fun! Most times, after persons have finished working for their daily 2k, they need to unwind.
That’s what the night is for.
So don’t be surprised if you meet heavy traffic at night.
SEE ALSO: Top ten beach resorts in Lagos: Beaches in Lagos to unwind
The hustle and bustle of Lagos
Lagos is “the city of hustlers” with people intent on making it or rather surviving. It is the hustle that makes Lagos. It’s simply rushing in the veins of every person in Lagos.
To survive in Lagos takes a lot – patience, strength, immediate intuition, and madness. You require unique ways, witty answers, and the right amount of cruise to survive this loud jungle.
In a jungle, many things happen. People fight for survival and that’s what Lagosians do. According to the words of Abraham Lincoln “Good things may come to people who wait, but only the thing that is left by those who hustle.“
Everyone is fighting for one form of thing or the other. A better job, more passengers to their vehicle, patronage in their business… In Lagos, it could be your change from the danfo conductor, it could be a seat at the bank or the spot on the ATM line.
READ: Lagos to Abuja by road Prices 2023
It could be anything.
You are not to be soft and subtle. The violent taketh it by force.
You wonder why Lagosians are always angry – it’s not their fault. The streets are tough. Nobody is smiling. If you grin just a little, I tell you that you may be devoured.
Lagos brings out the hustle in you. When you see others inspired, you will be too.
READ: Cheap Hotels in Ikeja, Lagos
Conclusion
Just like the jungle, Lagos is vibrant and alive. It is a land rife with opportunities. Unfortunately, you may have to step on someone else to survive.
That’s the rule of Lagos.
Many prowl through the streets to get what they want. Only the strong, quick, and witty can survive.
You can also check out our video on:
