As the festive season approaches, the quest for the perfect gifts and seasonal delights begins. Navigate the joyous chaos of holiday shopping with our Plazzaa Guide to Must-Visit Markets. Uncover unique treasures and embrace the spirited atmosphere in these curated destinations.
1. Eko Market
Eko Market, alternatively known as Balogun Market or Island Market on Lagos Island, stands as one of the city’s largest and most diverse marketplaces. Situated close to CMS/Marina, it has earned its reputation as a one-stop destination where you can find virtually everything you need.
Every day, Eko Market attracts a multitude of visitors from across Nigeria. Families depend on it as a vital source of income, with traders converging as early as 5:00 AM on specific market days to purchase and resell a plethora of goods. The market is a bustling hub offering an extensive array of items, including food products, fabrics, suits, bridal items, jewelry, footwear, interior decoration items, sewing supplies, photography and camera equipment, and more.
Eko Market is renowned for its comprehensive selection, and most items are brought in through containers, highlighting the market’s importance as a major distribution hub. While the market’s energetic atmosphere can make the shopping experience dynamic, visitors are encouraged to explore its diverse offerings while keeping a keen eye on their belongings. Enjoy the immersive experience of Eko Market, where every corner holds a treasure trove of items waiting to be discovered.
2. Mile 12 Market
Found near the busy Ikorodu Road, Mile 12 Market is the city’s biggest place to buy food. It’s a bit outside Lagos. Here, you can get the cheapest prices for things like tomatoes, onions, meat, and beans — basically, all kinds of food you need. Mile 12 is especially good for fresh fruits and vegetables. The food comes from the north in big trucks, and you can buy a lot at once for lower prices. The market is on the way to Ikorodu, just after Ketu.
One thing to keep in mind about Mile 12 is that the ground can get really wet and muddy during the rainy season. So, if you go there, it’s a good idea to wear boots. If you don’t, your shoes might get messy with mud and dirt. Despite this, Mile 12 Market is still a great place to find a variety of food at good prices.
3. Oyingbo Market
Oyingbo is famous for fresh food and cooking ingredients. The market is busiest in the morning, making it the best time to visit. Depending from where you are coming from, It’s close to Ebute Meta on the Island and near Yaba on the mainland, making it easily accessible for all. Many popular restaurants that cook local dishes get their ingredients from this market. Additionally, lots of families buy things here because they’re reasonably priced. It’s a hub of activity for those seeking fresh and affordable food items in the heart of Lagos.
4. Epe Fish Market
Lagos is surrounded by water, so finding freshwater fish anywhere in the state is easy. However, Epe Fish Market stands out for a special reason. Here, you not only get regular fish but also unique options for those with adventurous tastes, like wild game — snails, alligators, tortoises, and more.
What makes Epe Fish Market different is that many of the fish are still alive. You can see them swimming in special baskets placed in ponds all over the market. It adds a lively and unique touch to the market experience.
5. Oko-Oba Agege Abattoir
At Oko-Oba Agege Abattoir, meat dealers gather every day to sell and slaughter cows, goats, sheep, and cattle. This market stands out for providing raw beef and live cows at incredibly low prices, often half the cost of other markets. Besides meat, customers can also buy ponmo (cow skin), livestock, and various farm products at wholesale rates.
It’s a go-to destination for both food vendors and household shoppers. Its remarkable selection and unbeatable prices make it a must-visit for anyone looking to buy quality meat and agricultural products in large quantities. Whether you’re running a food business or stocking up for your home, this market offers a valuable opportunity to access fresh and affordable products.
6. Trade Fair Complex
The Trade Fair market in Amuwo Local Government is the perfect spot for women’s clothes and beauty products. It’s also a place where you can find auto parts and motorcycles. The market has both big and small sellers who offer top-notch jewelry, hair products, wines, imported drinks, perfumes, clothes for both men and women, shoes for kids and grown-ups, handbags, and many other things. It’s like a one-stop shop for all these items. If you’re looking for a variety of choices and good deals, Trade Fair Complex is the place to get almost all the fashion items you need.
7. Alaba International Market
Known as the biggest electronics market in Nigeria, Alaba International Market sits along the Lagos-Badagry expressway in Ojo Local Government. This market offers a wide range of electronics at affordable prices. From Televisions, Air Conditioners, Refrigerators to microwaves and pressing irons, Utensils, etc you can find it all here.
Situated in Alaba, Ojo, the market has earned its reputation as a renowned electronics hub in Africa, attracting customers not only from Lagos but also from neighboring countries. This international recognition is bolstered by its daily operations, excluding Sundays and public holidays.
It is accessible from Badagry through the Badagry-Oshodi-Apapa Expressway via Iyana Iba or Volks, it is also reachable from any part of Lagos through Mile 2/Festac Town to Volks. Discover a vast array of electronic products at Alaba International Market, where affordability and variety come together.
8. Computer Village
Located in Ikeja, Lagos, Computer Village stands as the largest technology market in Nigeria and Africa. This bustling hub is predominantly occupied by well-known shops specializing in phone sales, laptops, phone accessories, phone repairs, and sim activation.
Operating every day, except Sundays, Computer Village is a unique market where the prices are not controlled by any specific dealer. The healthy competition among the dealers ensures a fair pricing structure. Originating as a small cluster of shops in the late 1990s, Computer Village has evolved into a prominent center for technology products and services.
With an average daily footfall of 100,000 visitors, Computer Village is one of the busiest markets in Lagos, contributing significantly to the local economy with an estimated annual revenue surpassing $2 billion. Serving as a major trading hub for mobile phones, laptops, accessories, and various technological gadgets, the market is celebrated for its extensive product range, competitive pricing, and exceptional customer service.
The market also fosters a vibrant community of skilled technicians providing repair and maintenance services for a variety of technological gadgets.
In conclusion, the Plazzaa Guide to Must-Visit Markets for Holiday Shopping shows you different and exciting markets in Lagos. Eko Market is like a big store where you can find almost anything you need. Mile 12 Market is the best for buying food at low prices, but be careful of mud in the rainy season. Oyingbo Market is great for fresh and cheap food, especially in the morning. Epe Fish Market is cool because you can see fish swimming before buying. Oko-Oba Agege Abattoir is a good place for cheap meat, and Trade Fair Complex has lots of fashion and beauty items. Alaba International Market is famous for electronics, and Computer Village is the best for tech stuff.
Explore these markets for a fun holiday shopping experience in Lagos! Visit plazzaa.com for fun activities you can engage in.
