Life Lessons as a Nigerian? The Market Sector Will Teach You!

Welcome to the Nigerian market — where every naira counts and every buyer is a target. Here’s how I learned to survive and bargain like a pro.

You’ve clicked my link? Get ready for some real-life tutoring!

If you follow someone who doesn’t understand the Nigerian market hustle to buy stuff, you’ve either planned to waste your money or just want to participate in a giveaway without admitting it.

Think you’re hustling hard? Wait until you shop in a Nigerian marketplace, where everyone is trying to catch a customer—even if it means grabbing onto the hem of their clothes. And some are just out for free money—they won’t hesitate to slice open your bag and drag your cash out if they can.

After walking for hours under the sun—that same sun smiling sweetly while burning you to a crisp—you decide to stop by a store to get what you need.

You have no idea what the actual price of what you want is, and you’re at the market with no bargaining skills? Oh goodness, you’re risking your pocket. Don’t be surprised if what you’re left with on your way out is just half of your transport fare back home.

My First Market Experience

Let me relate my experience. It was my first time at the market alone. I was running an errand for my mum. I was asked to get a pack of Indomie, fish, African spinach, and soup ingredients.

The woman selling the Indomie taught me a lesson I’ll live to tell my children. At that time, a pack of Indomie was ₦20,000. I had first-hand information—there was no reason to be scammed, right?

Oh, I was.

She sold it to me for ₦26,000. I didn’t ask questions at all. Didn’t ask for the last price. Heck, I didn’t even ask why she was smiling at me. I spent more than what my mum had budgeted for me that day. And guess what?

African mothers are never missing in action.

My mum asked me to return the Indomie and get a refund.

Talk about embarrassment of the highest order. Since then, I stopped pitying sellers when my mum priced their goods. Stopped trying to call her back when she turned her back and walked away from a seller—because they didn’t agree to her price.

Now, I price from like three to five sellers before finally deciding to buy a good.

It’s crazy, I know. But when you get to Nigeria, act like a Nigerian!!!

If not… hmm. I’d rather not say.

Welcome to Market lessons 101—where it's so easy to get an F!