Why Lagosians are Regarded as "Hustlers"

 By Pelumi Ero-Phillips 

You see, a typical Lagosian is always on the move, they are natural entrepreneurs, as I like to say. Also, I think the state of the country has led them to be more motivated to succeed. Of course, there are still lazy people in the country,  but there are more hardworking people. Ever since I come of age; I have seen a lot of hustling. 

The seller in the above picture has a store in the market, but what does she decide to do? She decides to walk around in the scorching sun to scout for customers personally.

A typical Lagosian making end meets for survival

The hustling has always existed, I just paid more attention to it now. Nigerians won’t wait for jobs to be created for them, instead, they’ll create jobs for themselves. From hawking on the road to selling on the roadside (both food and commodities), I have seen the most. The hawkers even chase you down while you’re in a car to sell to you. 

Just last month, I saw a man selling live turkeys and chickens on the road! I have seen hawkers with puppies, mobile swimming pools, mirrors, and even televisions!!! At this rate, I don’t think I can be surprised anymore, I wish I had pictures to share of these intriguing sights.

You see this house, the rare thing about it is, if you look closely, there is a supermarket inside the house! You’ll ask yourselves, who thinks of this? Well, the answer is people who are determined to make ends meet, even when all political and economic odds are against them.

What the media will not show you is that these people sometimes have fun doing what they do. even make you, the customers laugh. As I always say, Africans are the funniest people I know.