Despite being Nigeria's commercial capital and one of the world's megacities the masses in Lagos are resolved to go on with life despite the odds (congestions, traffic head, crime, deteriorating infrastructures, filthiness, poverty etc) they confront.
by Andrew Esiebo
Having Come from a quiet, ancient town (Ibadan - about 140km north of Lagos), I am amazed by the energy and humor people employ to make a living in this city. As such, I am always tempted to pull out my old Olympus OM-2 camera and document those animated moments in streets of Lagos.
Shit business
Upon arriving in Lagos from Ibadan I am confronted by an amusing bill board advertisement, “Shit Business is serious”; an affirmation to the popular notion that anything can translate into money in Lagos, even human waste products.
Transportation
Mass transportation in Lagos is largely conducted by minibuses called Danfo, large buses known as Molue and commercial motor cycles named Okada.
Molue is the big 44 seat buses that is always overcrowded with passengers, often clogging its aisles. The rule at the bus stop is: “Keep moving” as the bus conductors hang from the doors, using a free hand to lift the running passengers aboard.
A trip in the Molue offers the chance of experiencing petty traders’ sales, gimmicks, and the wit of comedians. Items such as medicines and household products are sold before the buses reach their destinations. A few passengers exchange their money for the goods. It is also a venue for gossip and breaking news is openly discussed.
Danfo (12 seat buses) drivers are notorious for their reckless driving, making aggressive accelerations and maneuvers in their bid to catch their targeted commuters. They are often involved in accidents leading to the loss of life; thus, Danfos have been tagged “flying coffins”.
Despite the danger, buses are still widely used because it is cheaper than a taxi.
Okada, which surfaced in the early eighties, are now here to stay as a major transportation 
and a means for poverty alleviation. They are available in the nooks and crannies of Lagos, scouting for passengers. If you are trying to locate an unknown area or want to maneuver your way out of traffic, then Okada could be a good idea. But they also have their negative side, as the drivers move at terrifying speeds on their small, heavily laden machines, weaving in and out of traffic, up and down onto the merges, switching back and forth between the two sides of the road, leaning into corners at acute angles like racing drivers, and plowing into dense crowds with their hand on the horn.
Markets
Shopping at major markets in Lagos like Oshodi, Balogun can be quiet energetic, as they are characterized by automobile and human congestions. The rule of “keep moving” seems to be the order here, as well. There is hardly any space for window shopping; you are either buying something or moving.
The cart-pushers know as Omolaken are also prominent around the markets. For a token fee they haul any stuffs, regardless of the weight or size. They usually move shoppers’ purchases, sellers goods/wares, garbage and other moveable materials.
Beggar
The regular presence of beggars (the crippled, lame, deaf and dumb, even the able bodied ones) in traffic jams and major streets of Lagos have continued to pose troubling questions to my mind. What makes the people go begging as a means of livelihood?
How profitable is it to beg for alms? Is there no alternative to begging?
Some of them (especially the handicapped) revealed to me that, since there are not opportunities and support from the government, that they have no other alternative.
Children hawking
Children hawking goods on the street is a phenomenon that became prevalent in the late 1980s and has now become a permanent feature on the cityscape of Lagos.
The teens trek up and down the streets, meandering between vehicles in one of Lagos’ many traffic jams, selling various items like sachets of water, handkerchiefs, groundnuts, etc. Although the Lagos State government has banned trading in traffic jams because of the dangers it poses to hawkers, the practice continues unabated.
Some of these children disclosed that they have to take to hawking in order to support their families, who are not capable of providing all of their needs.
Photographing on the streets of Lagos requires guts, attention, and street smarts. It is always a challenge to take the shots before being noticed or being yelled at by people. In some cases it is best to engage people in friendly 
conversation so they could feel more comfortable in the presence of a camera. Occasionally people, especially the kids, are inviting and open to being photographed on the street.
During this short period that I have been photographing, I have become more challenged photo-wise, and have been invariably sharpening my eye and dexterity with the camera!
I look forward to sharing more of my photographs and words in the future.
