The Rise and Rise of Lagos Bazaars

This article was featured in Lagos City Info Magazine Vol. 3. Click link to read the issuu version of the magazine

Over the past 5years, Lagos state has witnessed an upward spike in the number of pop up shopping exhibitions occurring across this beautiful city. The idea of organising a trade fair isn’t a novel idea as the Lagos state International Trade Fair by Lagos state government has been in existence since 1977. Brands like Le Petite Marche, Africa Market Place, Soko Stingo (although now defunct) can be said to have contributed to the now growing rise in pop up exhibitions and fairs happening in Lagos.

Set as a monthly/bi-monthly or quarterly event, these local pop up exhibitions which mostly held on the island, attracted socialites, celebrities and shopaholics with well-publicized press releases, visually appealing creative and huge discount prices on items sold from participating merchants.

Now common place in Lagos, exhibition organisers have taken it further by focusing on niche segments of small businesses and enthusiasts. Such includes; Lagos Leather Fair (leather goods), Eat Drink Festival/GTBank Food & Drink (food and drinks), Cocktail & Dresses (fashion & accessories), The Make Up Fair (beauty products), ArtXLagos (Artworks) to mention a few.

Several other popular lifestyle shopping fairs that holds frequently in Lagos include; Mente de Moda, Lagos Yard Sale , Block Party Lagos, Carnivale Lagos, The Big Bang Sale, Belleabeau, Made in Nigeria Fair etc.

Due to economic downturns and unemployment rate, more people are having a side entrepreneurial hustle. These hustles which are mainly promoted via social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter serves as another stream of income for the owner as its common place to see for example, a banker doubling as a caterer/event planner/retailer etc.

The government at both federal and state level have been actively working towards easing the process in doing business in Nigeria via favourable policies and marketing initiatives such as; #BuyNigerian #BuyNaijatoGrowtheNaira etc. aimed at promoting local content consumption.

For most small business owners, participating at trade fairs offers them the opportunity to generate more revenue, build brand awareness and be a part of a community of like-minded individuals who actively support each other businesses, sharing resources if need be. These bonds created spills over from just business relations into lifelong friendship.

For shoppers and fun seekers, these local bazaars provides them the opportunity to shop at discount rates, unwind and hang out with friends in a serene and fun atmosphere with good music, food and games.

In conclusion, Lagos bazaars has come to stay, and in the evergreen words of small doctor, “if you no have money, hide your face” as you will always leave lesser in cash than you came with lol.

Images used are courtesy of Lagos Yard Sale Exhibition

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Chisom Ukaegbu is the founder of Shop in Lagos; a social initiative that supports SMEs (Small Medium Enterprises) in Lagos. He is also the co-organiser of the popular quarterly Lagos Yard Sale Exhibition. In his spare time, he enjoys designing, reading and meeting new people. You can reach him via Instagram/Twitter: @mrchisom_