Lagos is a famous and glittering city,
abundant in natural beauty and
surrounded by sea, with its diverse
culture, happy-go-lucky attitude,
economic growth, and superb
accommodation, it is no surprise that
the city is Nigeria’s most dynamic city.
Lagos offers a great variety of
attractions – there’s plenty to see and
do in this city, no wonder most people
prefer to live in the city.
Lagos is one place in Nigeria that has
got affluence and glamour, much more
like Miami and New York City.
However, people from other Nigerian
cities believe that the glitz and glam
attractively presented about Lagos too
good to be true or are not real at all.
We’ve also heard people say that no
matter how amazing Lagos is being
portrayed, it is a perilous place to live.
However, we believe a lot of things
about Lagos have been exaggerated,
that is why we have rounded up a list
of 6 things about Lagos that people
from other cities exaggerate about:

1. Lagos is a land of
opportunities
Lagos is indeed a land of opportunities
for many Nigeria. It is a city where a
hardworking pauper from Makoko slum
turns into someone living in one of the
most expensive people in Lekki or
Victoria Island. However, do not jump
the next bus to Lagos expecting to be
rich overnight if you have no plan,
house and support from friends or
family because Lagos is not as easy
as it is made to be. Money does not
grow on trees in Lagos because you
have to work to earn a living.
Unfortunately, jobs are limited in
Lagos.

2. The legend of Area boys
You must have heard a lot of stories
about the thugs in Lagos, who are
called ‘ Area boys ’; thanks to some
Nollywood movies. These exaggerated
stories drive fear in the mind of people
visiting Lagos for the first time. Even
though, these thugs are virtually
everywhere, but do not expect to be
harassed by them just like that. We
are not saying that they are harmless
but it is only when you end up at the
wrong place that things may get ugly
for you. The availability of Lagos Bus
Rapid Transit System (BRT) can help
you avoid the discomfort of bus
conductors in some parts of the city.

3. Lagos is ‘small London’
Lagos is filled with colourful
architectures and iconic landmarks
that have this seductive charm that
perfectly blends with the wide span of
clean roads. The city is home to one of
the richest and the most impoverished
areas in Nigeria. It is not every part of
Lagos that looks heavenly; some parts
such as Ajegunle, Makoko, Ijora Badia
and others, are shanty towns, sweat
shops and slums. Most of the
stunning things you see on newsprints
or television about Lagos may have
been edited to suit the producers.

4. The cost of living is
expensive
Lagos is an attractive destination,
decorated with affluence and luxury but
it can be surprisingly cheap. You can
get things – from sophisticated to
standard, extravagance to essential,
bohemian to natural. The cost of living
in Lagos may be on the high side when
compared to cities like Akure, Ibadan
or Benin. However, Lagos is not as
expensive as we are made to believe it
is. The city has been built in such a
way that anyone can easily blend in.
Surprisingly, you can even do a lot of
things under N2000 in Lagos.

5. The crime rate is high
Do not be carried away with stories
that everyone in Lagos has criminal
tendencies. Some people have been
warned never to ask for directions
when they are in Lagos but end up
getting missing. The crime rate in
Lagos is not as high as it has been
exaggerated. Actually, security is
paramount in the city to allow crime to
rule the day.

6. Traffic Jam is
unbeatable
You cannot come to Lagos and miss
traffic (‘go-slows’). We know that
almost every motorway is often
jammed with absurd traffic hams and
speed freaks. It is not true that you
are going to spend half of your day
stuck in traffic if you do not leave your
house early in the morning. The
menace of traffic is gradually losing its
grip, thanks to BRT lane and the train
service that have made it easier for
people to escape the Lagos traffic.
Traffic is not as horrible as it has been
painted in Lagos; all you need to do is
know your route and how to move
around.
Have you heard other exaggerated
things about Lagos?

www.travelstart.com.ng/blog/6-exaggerated-things-about-lagos/?utm_source=SocialMedia&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=Facebook_TSNG_6Exageratedthingsaboutlagos18Aug2015

True talk. But no 6..hmmmmmm

The land of Dupsters....If I may use the word

Gidi!!!

Not really a fan of the city though despite spending much of my time there. And yes, the traffic and noise is what I hate most.


Trying to live a less stressful life abeg.

Lagos, my Lagos!!! I recall dat 1st day @ Ojota...#MeMoRiEs

Lagos is a stressful metropolis

So on point, I was a bit afraid during my first visit to Lagos only to realise that many things were really over exaggerated after spending few weeks.