It was my first time leaving the northern part of Nigeria.
All it took was a random call from a childhood friend.
“What’s up, bro?” he said. “The lady I work for needs extra hands at her store, and I couldn’t think of a better partner than you. Are you game?”
Although I had always wanted to visit Lagos, my idea of the city was shaped mainly by Nigerian movies—flashy scenes, fast lives, endless motion. I never imagined settling here. To me, the North was comfortable, familiar, and safe. Lagos was just a place I wanted to see, not a place I planned to stay.
So I told my friend, yeah, I’m in.
The following week, I hopped on a bus to Lagos. The journey was peaceful. I used a luxurious bus—spacious seats, proper air conditioning, and even a charging port. It felt like a smooth transition into something new.
I arrived at Berger a few minutes before 7 p.m. The environment was busy—far busier than anything I was used to. Without hesitation, I pulled out my phone, booked a ride, and within five minutes, we were on our way to the Island, where my friend was staying.
Everything changed when we entered a place called VI—short for Victoria Island. The streetlights created a captivating ambience, and the tall buildings spoke the language of luxury. My head kept turning, trying to take everything in. The sight was beautiful—undeniably so.
Just as people say they can smell danger through intuition, I felt like I could smell opportunity in the air. Suddenly, it felt like I had stepped into an environment overflowing with possibilities. I couldn’t fully explain how I knew it, but I knew it—greatness felt achievable here.
That was the moment I said to myself,
So this is Lagos.
Four years later, I am still convinced that the fragrance of opportunity I sensed that night was real. Lagos is fertile soil, waiting for the seeds of hard work, competence, and consistency. It is a place where value is recognized and rewarded.
I have seen it not only in my own life, but also in the lives of friends and people around me. With the right mindset and attitude, growth here is not a gamble—it is almost certain.
So when I’m asked whether there are jobs in Lagos, or if businesses truly thrive, my answer is simple:
This is Lagos—a city of opportunities and possibilities for anyone bold enough to dream big and willing to pay the price to turn that dream into reality.
