Lagosians, get ready to experience Danfo rides like never before because BetKing is about to light up the streets with something truly exciting.
Picture this: you’re cruising through major routes like Yaba, Ojuelegba, Surulere, and Ikorodu, but it’s no ordinary ride. It’s a free Danfo ride, and BetKing is taking the wheel. And why? To celebrate something huge—Danfo Lagos, BetKing’s latest casino game that’s not only thrilling but also a true homage to the vibrant culture of Lagos, Nigeria.
Named after the iconic yellow buses that define Lagos’ bustling streets, Danfo Lagos gives players a unique, immersive gaming experience. Imagine the energy of the city, the hustle and bustle, the chaos and the joy—all wrapped up in a game designed to resonate with Nigerian players like no other. BetKing has perfectly captured the spirit of Lagos, and now they’re bringing it to life.
Now, here’s where it gets even better: hop on one of these fully branded Danfo buses, and who knows? You might just find yourself sitting next to your favorite celebrity, maybe even a football legend like Jay-Jay Okocha! Yep, you heard that right. It’s not just a ride—it’s an experience.
But the surprises don’t end there. Every single passenger will score an exclusive Danfo Lagos-themed T-shirt, proudly showing off the game’s logo and a big, bold QR code that takes you straight to the action. With just a scan, you’re ready to dive into the game and start playing. No hassle, just instant access.
Oh, and did we mention the vibe on board? The lively BetKing jingle will be playing throughout the ride, amping up the excitement and giving the whole experience that extra pop. And whether you’re riding or just watching from the street, the buses themselves will be hard to miss—decked out with BetKing logos, catchy phrases, and more QR codes. Just scan and play!
This two-day event is happening on November 5th and 6th, and it’s set to turn ordinary commutes into something truly memorable. Whether you’re a seasoned Danfo rider or hopping on for the first time, BetKing’s Danfo Lagos campaign promises to bring fun, entertainment, and excitement to the streets.
So, mark your calendars, Lagos! Don’t miss out on your free Danfo ride, grab that cool T-shirt, and step into the vibrant world of BetKing’s Danfo Lagos game for an experience you won’t forget.
BetKing is a leading sports betting and entertainment company that provides online services in Nigeria. The company offers a diverse range of services, including sports betting on various sports such as football, hockey, cricket, tennis, basketball, and more. Additionally, BetKing provides cutting-edge virtual games, including the exclusive Kings’ League and Colour-Colour.
Beyond its online offerings, BetKing extends agency opportunities, allowing individuals to become KingMakers by signing up to deliver offline betting services to customers. Positioned as a KingMakers company, BetKing emerged through a strategic evolution, driven by the commitment to deliver enhanced value to its customers.
By: Valentine Adegboyegun
‘Two truths can co-exist.’ That’s the pseudo-intellectual way of getting away with saying shit in these parts. But is it actually wrong? I’ll leave you to judge.
So, when I say Lagos is the city of beauty and chaos, these two things are not mutually exclusive. Reread it, this time slowly.
Lagos’ nightlife is unrivaled! Everyone knows this – from your mumsy who had her heydays in the 80s to your uncle who was a bad boy in the 90s to Banky W who recorded an ode to that fact; “Lagos Party” in the 00s to that egbon who ‘spoilt your life’ in the 2010s and more recently Zlatan on “Lagos Anthem.”
For many, the clubs represent the pinnacle of jaiye. While they are still as captivating as before, there’s a new vanguard of Lagos nightlife today, and it’s not inside the club.
These new spots are more customer-centric – with engaging activities – and have themes personalized to fit different moods. The music is still as loud, the drinks still as fire, but the crowd is where it differs.
You don’t have to be a Pablo or Pablet to have a good time here. No one’s tryna buy all the bottles and show off. By all means, do Dorime if you can, but it’s not the norm. Everyone just came to unwind, catch a vibe, and probably steal someone’s babe. MFJPM.
Enough said. This article will highlight the top four modern nightlife spots in Lagos right now.
What are the four leading nightlife spots in Lagos?
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, so many things changed. One constant, however, is people’s need for enjoyment and an enabling environment. Here are some of the leading nightlife events in Lagos today:
Insert Nights
Insert Nights is the brainchild of WeTalkSound and the worthy recipient of our Mount Rushmore status. It is an event held on the last Friday of each month at The Vault Social House, Victoria Island.
Since it launched in 2022, Insert Nights has hosted different parties curated with various themes. At an Insert Nights party, you’re at liberty to dress to a theme which could range from Halloween clothes to Y2K steeze, a jersey/sports fit, or a DJ YK Mule-type fit.
Additionally, it is a free event, and different people from all walks of life come out to chill. So don’t be surprised if you see your boss, your ex, your talking stage, or your babe sef.
The ambiance is soothing, the DJs are top-notch, and the experience is always memorable. The drinks are reasonably priced so you don’t exactly have to blow your salary in one night, well except if you want to. With less than 10k you can get a nice cocktail. If you want a bottle, then you don’t need to ask for the price, no?
One free piece of advice though: prepare to blow a whistle and go crazy!
South Socials
Are you a Lagosian if you’ve not heard of South Socials before? Founded by Chibuzor Iwobi of Chibyverse, it is a bi-weekly event held on Fridays at The Hook Lounge, Victoria Island.
It has been a mainstay of the beyond-the-club nightlife scene since 2018 and has become a Lagos favorite. In fact, South Socials has lived many lives – from South Eatery and Social House to Moist Club down to the Hook Lounge – yet its essence hasn’t dipped one bit.
Their event is always full of happy partygoers, the location is secure, the music is excellent, and the vibe is contagious. You can get a ticket online for 5k or 7k at the door or reserve tables whose prices range from 150k to 450k (for 2-12 people).
The Party Company
ThePartyCompany is one of a kind. As the name suggests, it is literally a party company that organises parties at the Wave Beach, Lekki Phase One.
Since 2020, they’ve engaged their community with themed parties. These include “Balloons & Cups,” “Booless Party,” “Fire & Sand,” “Oktoberfest,” and “Detty December.” Each one, with a curated experience that fits the party idea.
As regards entry policy, they typically host different types of tickets which are dependent on the party type. More often than not, these tickets are for early, regular, VIP, and then table reservations.
P.S. If you go to any of the parties, be prepared to meet baddies. I’m not capping, I went for the last one and I’m still reeling from it.
Greencamp
Greencamp is an outlier in this list. It was founded in 2017 by Dr. Olanrewaju Abdul Razak to cater to a community of underground creatives and enthusiasts and provide a platform for expression.
Over the years, it has grown in leaps and bounds to become a top nightlife event in the city and has supported the careers of budding artists and brands. It also partners with creatives and other communities to host shows for them.
Greencamp organises three free shows, which are held on the mainland thrice yearly. Then, at the end of the year, it hosts a festival on the island. The festival is ticketed at different prices and boasts of music, dance, comedy, and art competitions.
Greencamp is the best place for you to go as an underground creative or an art enthusiast. It is for everybody – Gen Z, millennials, workers, students, creatives, and art enthusiasts alike.
Final Thoughts
“Ain’t no party like a Lagos party, cause a Lagos party we don’t bother nobody,” and everything else the Banky W song says. It’s a straight-faced lie, and everybody knows this, but err allow. Right?
From the loud music to the traffic jam to the gyration and everything else in between, a Lagos party actually bothers everybody. But we are young and YOLO, so live a little, will ya?
The Lagos nightlife scene has evolved beyond the usual club atmosphere. Blame it on inflation, standard of living, or just preference, but it is what it is.
Young people now want serene environments where they can party on a budget with like-minded individuals and just have fun. And these four events are your best bet for that.
So, dear reader, when next you pop a bottle at any of these events per my recommendation, feel free to pour one up for me. You’re welcome. [ad][/ad]
GrowthCon 2.0 is set to host Africa’s most inspiring entrepreneurs, operators, investors, business leaders and enthusiasts at Harbor Point, Victoria Island, Lagos on the 26th and 27th of July, 2024. Following the tremendous success of its premiere edition in 2023, GrowthCon has come to be known for igniting stimulating conversations and connections that will catalyze growth and innovation, equipping attendees with the tools and strategies needed to thrive in today’s business landscape.
With the theme ‘Art of Growth: Increasing Innovation Competency’, GrowthCon 2.0 promises to deliver an immersive experience, second to none, that will leave attendees equipped with practical strategies as well as implementable solutions to drive growth for the businesses they run or work at. The conference features a lineup of renowned speakers such as Ziad Maalouf, MD Seven Up Bottling Co., Adia Sowho, Ex-CMO MTN Nigeria, Oluyemi Oloyede, MD & CEO UAC Foods, Ayodele Faboya, Partner Banwo & Ighodalo, Godwin Tom, MD Sony Music Publishing Nigeria, Lola Esan, Partner EY, Henry Obiekea, MD Fairmoney, Abimbola Adebakin, CEO Advantage Health Africa, Babájídé Duroshola, GM MKOPA Nigeria, Chinonso Egemba (Aproko Doctor) among many others across various sectors who will share their expertise on salient topics.
GrowthCon 2.0 comprises a variety of exciting components including the pre-event & post-event mixers, masterclasses, workshops, fireside chats, panel discussions and deal rooms. These engaging components will deliver opportunities for curated networking, collaboration, case study analysis, learning, design thinking and problem solving.
This year’s conference also includes the Executive Track, a new component curated exclusively for business leaders and senior leaders focused on driving growth and innovation within their organizations.
“We are super excited to host a bigger and better GrowthCon that will supercharge growth for African businesses this year, and are thrilled to announce Zoho as our headline sponsor for this year’s conference,” said Bola Lawal, the event convener and founder of Premia Business Network (PBN)—a community of entrepreneurs, investors and professionals building a business network in Africa and its diaspora. “Our goal is to create an environment where attendees can learn from industry experts, connect with like-minded professionals, and leave with actionable insights to drive their organizations forward.”
Other Sponsors for GrowthCon include: IHS Towers, Vesti, Scrella, The Macallan, Elev8 Media, Nimbus, Tramango, TechCabal, Adlantique, Loatsad Promomedia, Gazmadu Studios, Sweet Sensation, So Fresh, Emergency Response Africa, Purple Gate Technologies, WorkflowHR and Seven Up Bottling Company.
GrowthCon 2.0 is open to professionals at all levels, from entrepreneurs and startup founders, to industry operators, venture capitalists, mid-level managers and executives. Attendees will be able to interact with industry leaders, and connect with potential partners and investors in the deal rooms.
Programme agenda and Tickets to GrowthCon 2.0 are available on the official website at www.growthcon.africa. and peruse the program agenda.
For media inquiries, please contact Abdulsamod Balogun, Marketing and Communications Team Lead, GrowthCon 2.0 (growthcon@premiabn.com)
About GrowthCon 2.0: GrowthCon 2.0 is a two-day conference, convened by Premia Business Network, where Africa’s entrepreneurs, operators, investors, policymakers and ecosystem players come together to explore proven strategies and success stories from Africa, collaborate on deals and foster innovation.
About Premia Business Network (PBN): PBN is a referral-based community of doers coming together to collaborate to increase their net worth and impact their communities through business and innovation.
This is debatable, but the most dangerous venture, apart from dodging a Nigerian mother’s slap, is investing in land — especially in Lagos. If it’s not the fear of getting scammed, it’s navigating “omo onile” and hoping you aren’t buying land in an area that’ll be demolished by the government in the future for one reason or another.
However, land remains a valuable long-term investment option, and you can invest safely by following these tips I got from discussing with Grace Ogunlaja, the lead consultant at I-Brow Properties.
Check for the type of land
Not all land in Lagos is for residential purposes. Some have been earmarked for agricultural, commercial, or even mixed use. Buying a residential land and using it to produce pure water may earn you visits from the authorities, and you’ll probably lose ownership. Some lands can even be in locations under territorial dispute. You can verify the type of land at the state Ministry of Lands (or Lands Bureau).
Does it have a title?
You should always confirm the land title with the land seller or real estate developer. Do NOT purchase any land without a title.
A title can be the Certificate of Occupancy (AKA, C of O) or Governor’s Consent. The C of O is a state-provided document demonstrating land rights to an individual; It proves ownership. Governor’s Consent is given when someone buys land that already has a C of O and wants to notify the Governor and the general public that the land has a new owner.
Land title differs from the deed of assignment or receipt the land seller gives after purchase. Those documents just indicate that you’ve bought something. You still need to confirm you didn’t buy stolen property, or worse, land that’s been mapped out for government purposes. Like a coastal road project, for instance.
Run away from “freehold”
Some real estate agents in Lagos will try to sell you land and claim it has freehold rights, meaning you own the land in perpetuity (or forever) and can use it for anything. This doesn’t exactly work because all land belongs to the government. Also, freehold isn’t exactly a land title, and chances are that the land isn’t free from government acquisition. When in doubt, always verify at the Ministry of Lands.
Go with your own surveyor
The seller may try to convince you that the land already has a registered survey plan approved by the State’s Surveyor General, but those can easily be falsified. You should always go with your own surveyor to pick the land coordinates and verify them at the ministry.
Get familiar with the authorities
When buying land, you must verify everything with the Ministry of Lands because land issues quickly become complicated in Lagos state. If proper verification isn’t done, you risk losing your investment.
Also, verification doesn’t end with buying the land. You also need to obtain building approval from the state government before doing anything on the land. If you build something different from what was stated on the approved building plan, the government has the right to demolish it without giving any compensation.
Remember: The government can come for your land
It’s important to make peace with the fact that the government can claim land for major projects at any time, even if the owner has a C of O or Governor’s Consent. The only difference is, having the correct land titles gives the owner the right to sue the government or collect compensation. The owner has no compensation or fighting rights if it’s untitled land.
When Flavour sang, “Better food, na money kill am,” he knew what he was doing, and I’m sure he didn’t mean the song only in the confines of man and woman but on actual Foood! How do I know this? My father decided to bring us home again for another holiday, and being the adventurous person that I am, especially with food, I just knew that spending my Easter holiday in Nigeria couldn’t be spent indoors again, and I’m glad I made that decision. Now that I’m back in the US, I can look back and say this was the best decision I made, although it could have been better because of the unnecessary shege I experienced before finally discovering a dining reservation app ‘Reisty’ which could have been totally avoided.
Of course, as the Explorer that I am, I explored Lagos alone at first which I immediately regretted. For a home buddy, you would almost think you are self-sufficient, too much consumption of lifestyle Instagram content made me feel like one of those creators, and so I took my phone stand, airpods and decided to venture into Lagos, totally forgetting how Lagosians took advantage of IJGBs (I just got back from the diaspora, usually for the holidays) and generally people who are new in places and embarked on a Lagos adventure.
As if being mugged wasn’t enough, my meals didn’t taste like they looked. Great ambiance but terrible food! But if you know me by now, I don’t give up; visions of bustling markets, vibrant nightlife, and delicious food danced in my head. The best meal I had will only get 4/10 in my books. But the resilient person in me doesn’t give up, so, we movee.
I went on Google and did a bunch of searches on the best restaurants in Lagos and the best reservation apps similar to opentable in Lagos (Opentable is a reservation application I use to book tables in the US) to ensure I had more than enough options. Of course, I saw a couple but something about Reisty lulled me in. I’ve always been a sucker for good-looking stuff and Reisty stood out for me. Installing the app was a breeze, I set up an account and my Reisty login was simple. Guess who saw a whole 2000 naira in their wallet? Meee! Thumbs up to Reisty for whoever came up with that genius idea.
Perusing the restaurants was something I enjoyed doing because each restaurant profile had all the answers I needed, from menus to clear photos of the restaurant to the location and even genuine reviews from people who had visited the restaurant. The creativity of the Reisty app is one I love to experience over and over again. Lagosians, you really don’t know what this online dining reservation app has done for you until you try it.
I tried the first restaurant with about 50% enthusiasm, because once bitten twice shy, and I’ll give them 100/100. The first restaurant I decided to try out wasMantra Lagos. I have heard a lot about this restaurant especially since I had a hidden interest in Indian culture and it looked like the perfect spot. It was so good, the ambiance, the food, and just everything was top-notch!
By the second restaurant, my excitement level had risen to 70% because I didn’t want to serve myself breakfast before the real breakfast. The expectation was surpassed, and now, I have 100% confidence in any restaurant on the Reisty app.
One thing I particularly love about Reisty is, it has no bad restaurants. Reisty had the right restaurants with great ambiance and even more fantastic food. Because of the shege I had seen, my first intention was to drag Reisty and the restaurants they had on blogs for their inconsistency, but I couldn’t because of the excellence at which everything went. The seamless location of restaurants made identifying restaurants, viewing menus, booking seats, and ordering food a breeze.
Restaurants are segmented based on categories, making it easy to explore restaurants that suited my vibes, from rooftops to restaurants with ocean views to Indian and many other categories
The foodie in me has been upgraded because this adventure was top-notch. At this point, Reisty needs to employ me as their US-Nigerian ambassador because all my friends and family have downloaded the app.
To be very honest, whoever created the Reisty app had me in mind because my Lagos adventure went from potentially stressful to absolutely fantastic. I also got a free 2k in my Reisty wallet, so it was a win-win for me. I explored hidden corners of the city, experienced authentic Lagos culture, and, most importantly, had a blast doing it.
To my fellow IJGBs, listen up! If you’re planning a Lagos adventure, just download the Reisty app from your app store, or playstore. You’ll definitely thank me later. Lagosians, I would also advice that you don’t sleep on this because it takes your outside game from zero to 100. Take this from a US resident.
A year and eight months after Nigerian adventurer, Kunle Adeyanju, successfully rode from London to Lagos on a motorcycle, UK-based Nigerian, Pelumi Nubi, has been inspired to make a similar trip — this time, by car.
She’s already visited 80 countries across six continents, so the seemingly impossible task is in capable hands. Here’s everything we know about the road trip.
Photo source: Instagram/@pelumi.nubi
Why is Pelumi embarking on this trip?
The trip is an important one to 29-year-old Pelumi for four reasons: She loves adventure, wants to inspire other female solo travellers, especially by driving representation among black female solo adventurers, and she simply wants to show people what’s possible.
“As a traveller, I wanted to do something quite adventurous. It was something that was in the books for me. We also don’t see a lot of solo black female travellers. It’s just like, representation matters. It’s important to see people do things and just open your minds to what’s possible. Some people don’t know it’s possible to go through London to Lagos by road,” she revealed during a podcast interview on Friday, January 19, 2024.
But that’s not all. She was also inspired by Kunle Adeyanju’s aforementioned 2022 solo trip.
“He did it by bike two years ago. I was on the phone with him and mentioned how it was so cool what he did.”
How long will the trip take?
Pelumi plans to traverse 17 countries in two months, and explore every city and country on her way.
Her transatlantic journey will pick up from England and take her through France, Spain, Morocco, West Sahara Desert, Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and finally, to Lagos.
She’s expected to arrive in Lagos at the end of March.
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When does the journey begin?
No official announcement of a commencement date has been made, but tweets suggest the last week of January. On Wednesday, January 24, she shared a video of her car going through some modifications for the long journey ahead.
The next day, she shared a tweet indicating that the start date is just a few days away.
Her previous road trips
Photo source: Instagram/@pelumi.nubi
Prior to this trip, Pelumi has travelled by road from Lagos to Ghana twice. She’s explored Namibia for two weeks and gone on a road trip from London to Lake Como, Italy. These experiences have served as test runs for her latest and most ambitious adventure yet.
How is she funding the trip?
During her podcast interview, she revealed that the entire trip will cost $15,000 – $20,000, covering fuel, accommodation and other essential needs.
A year of planning and saving up personal funds have made Pelumi’s adventure a reality. However, she still seeks support from brands looking to partner.
Is she receiving any support?
Pelumi’s trip has received attention from fellow Nigerians, travel enthusiasts and the internet community through the hashtag, #London2LagosByRoad.
Interest is expected to pick up once she starts making stops in the different countries and cities.
The biggest women-only festival in Lagos is BACK. Get your tickets here for a day of fun, networking and partayyyyy
An X user recently asked people to share the craziest things they’ve seen in Lagos, and the video quotes had me in complete stitches. There was one driver who attempted to take a shit and throw it at LASTMA officials. And there was the road rage video that showed two drivers completely destroying their vehicles.
I decided to find individuals who could share narrated versions of the craziest things they’ve witnessed in the Centre of Excellence.
Jide*, 25
I saw one of those viral videos of a LASTMA driver on the bonnet of a speeding car in real life. And it’s the craziest thing my eyes have seen since I relocated to Lagos from Osogbo. I was waiting for a bus, and a car zoomed by with a human being on the bonnet. I was too stunned for words. Thank God some people recorded because I just kept wondering who’d believe me if I gave them the gist without evidence.
Balikis*, Late 30s
On my way back home from work, I took a bus from Oshodi underbridge. Everything seemed normal until I noticed the conductor’s waist. This guy had several waist beads on. An old woman beside me saw it, but instead of ignoring it, she reached for his waist and tried to yank them off. The conductor didn’t appreciate the woman invading his privacy like that, so chaos ensued. There was a shouting match with a lot of cursing. The whole thing was like a movie — the male conductor who wore beads, and the overreaching granny who tried to remove them.
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Deji*, 30
One day in Mushin, I heard people chanting outside my house, and it was giving strong Koto-Aiye vibes. I know traditionalists carry out oro festivals in Lagos, but I’d never heard of them doing it in broad daylight. I went to the window to see what the drama was all about and nothing could’ve prepared me for what I saw: a long queue of old men and women in white wrapper, and nothing covering their chest region. Some had wooden staffs, calabash with fire, live chickens and birds, and so many other weird things. But they also had proper “rich people” vibes. They wore expensive-looking rings and necklaces. They walked on in a single file, chanting their thing. It gave me the chills.
Ibrahim*, 35
I visited a friend in one of these expensive estates on the island. The buildings looked nice, and my inner spirit was just screaming, “God, when?” But that was all short-lived because I got to a T-junction, and what I saw scarred me for a while: calabashes in different sizes filled with weird food combinations. It looked like a scene from a Nollywood movie. I quickly faced front and raced to my friend’s place. He laughed at me when I told him about it. Apparently, some traditionalists live in the estate.
Bolu*, 32
I was at a BRT bus stop when I saw this young man fall to the ground in a seizure. He looked well dressed, and I assumed he was coming from work. To my complete shock and surprise, nobody tried to approach him. Everyone just moved back and watched as the poor man writhed on the floor. I felt awful, but seeing everyone stay put forced me to do the same. This is Lagos, you might end up offering to help not knowing you’re setting yourself up for trouble. Some minutes later, the BRT bus arrived and everyone entered without tending to him. I watched from the window as the guy stood up and cleaned himself up. On the bus ride, the passengers talked about how they’d watched people scam unsuspecting victims with fake epilepsy episodes. In my head, I was just thinking, “What if it wasn’t fake?” “What if he really needed help?” “What if he died?” Lagos is the ghetto.
Segun*, 29
My office was on Allen Avenue, and during the day, everywhere always looked normal. I couldn’t relate to some of the stories of sex workers I’d heard in the past. But on this fateful day, we’d closed super late because it was the last day of work for the year. I left the office around 9:30 p.m., and on my way to the bus stop, I got to this hotel and saw some ladies outside looking for customers. My first instinct was to cross to the other side of the road, but I thought, “What’s the worst that could happen?” So I just kept a straight face and walked past. I got to their midst, and they started saying, “Fine boy, you won do?” “Come chop your mama ponmo,” “You won fuck toto?” some of them even tried to pull me. It was too much. I couldn’t believe I was witnessing the Nollywood portrayals in real life.
Hassan*, 40
A brand was doing product activation at the market in Ojuwoye, Mushin, and they had a dance competition. This weirdly dressed person showed up out of nowhere to scare people away. Turned out he had mental illness. The market women started making a case that the brand should just allow him to participate in the dance competition. Obviously, the brand didn’t want that, and even the other contestants weren’t comfortable. But the guy refused to leave. Eventually, they made space for him, and he started dancing. He had mad moves that made it less clear he was unwell. The market people started clapping and hailing him. It was such a weird and interesting day.
Love is sweet. Love is kind. Love will have you wanting to share your life with a total stranger. but finding that love isn’t the easiest thing, especially when you’re doing your search in Tinubu’s Lagos.
So, we made a list of all the things you’ll need if you want to find your missing rib in this state.
A praying parent
As you enter the Lagos dating scene, you need to remember that there are many people in the streets, but not all of them are looking for love. This is why you need to have at least one religious parent that finds pleasure in climbing mountains and praying for their child on standby, so they don’t make a fool of you.
Connections
You need to know people, that know people, that know people. This way, it’s easier for you to find out if that person you had a little tryst with at South is a single pringle or if they’re very much attached and are getting married this December.
A therapist
The dating scene in Lagos is enough to drive you to near lunacy, so to prevent nearly all the men and women in Lagos running you mad, we suggest you have a good therapist on speed dial. It might be expensive, but prevention is better than cure.
Money
You can find true, sweet love without money.But Davido did say, “When money enter, love is sweeter”, soget the bag and stack your coins first because love is expensive AF.
A sponsorship deal
We suggest you get one with a toilet paper or handkerchief company before you become an active participant in the Lagos dating scene, because you will probably kiss a couple frogs and cry a couple times in your search for love.
Love
You cannot look for something if you don’t know what it looks like.So firstl, you need to have people that love you at home.Then you need to love yourself. if not, the people on these Lagos streets will use your heart to play ball.
Prescription glasses
If there’s one thing that’s certain, married men would step to you regardless of your sexuality . You’ll need the glasses to spot their wedding band or the tan line left behind by the aforementioned wedding band.
To truly find love in Lagos, you’ll also need to be outside. By that we mean you need to get your Burning Ram tickets, come eat more meat than you can handle and possibly meet the love of your life.
It’s the survival of the littest.
Whether you survived the haunted house or not get your tickets and make your way to the meatiest festival on this side of the map.
If you’re looking to justify your lavish spending, this list has the names of the best restaurants in Lagos that will give you your money’s worth. Finding that in this city is rare, we promise.
New restaurants pop up in Lagos everyday but many of them are just aesthetics and vibes, so we’ve done all the hard work and curated a list of the best places to eat out in Lagos.
With some that scream “I have money to blow,” these Lagos restaurants should be getting your coins every day.
Check them out in no particular order:
Maison Kayser
Photo: Instagram (@maisonkayser_ng)
Nestled in the highbrow area of Ikoyi, Lagos, this restaurant comes with an offering of the best pastries you can find in the centre of excellence.
Source: NightlifeNG
Think of natural breads, pastries, cakes, Italian gelato & French bistro dishes and this is the top Lagos spot for pastry lovers.
Menu: Chicken wings, Mozzarella sticks, Nachos, Chicken Fajita Sandwich, Ginger bread, Americano with whipped cream.
Branches: Eric Kayser VI – 864A, Bishop Aboyade Cole, Victoria Island, Lagos. Eric Kayser Ikoyi – 9, Osborne Road, Ikoyi.
Average spend: N10-15k per head.
Perks: Group/family friendly, take out.
Average customer rating: 4 stars.
Ocean5 by Riviera
Source: Oceans5 by Riviera
If you’re out for some fine dining, please gather your coins and set up camp here. The world class menu here will easily transport you out of Lagos to all the beautiful countries you can think of.
Bonus point: You get to make your own pasta on Thursdays alongside a supervising chef.
Photo: Oceans5 by Riviera
Menu: Savory steak with creamy mashed potatoes, sushi spread, peri peri chicken skewers, grilled shrimp tacos.
Branch: 20 Elsie Femi Pearse St, Victoria Island
Average spend: Nn15k-N20k per head.
Perks: Family friendly, Sunday buffet, walk-ins, parking.
Average customer rating: 4.5 stars.
NOK by Alara
Source: Awe Lagos
This Lagos restaurant continues to hold its own as one of the spots that gives you a mix of bougie and street realness. Whether you’re craving abula or want to get your hands dirty with a pot of nkwobi, it is the spot for you.
Source: NOK by Alara
Menu: Suya crusted steak, ewa aganyin, plantain pancakes with braised oxtail, snail bruschetta, abula,fried bean pancake with ugu, green shakshoukta, etc
Averal spend: N10- N20k per head
Branch: 12a Akin Olugbade Victoria Island, Lagos.
Perks: Walk-ins, takeout, outdoor garden, family friendly.
Average customer rating: 4 stars.
Ile Eros
Source: Bellanaija
If you’re in need of authentic Nigerian food with a modern twist, Ile Eros is the spot to be.
Chef Eros has a specially curated menu that makes you see your regular Naija staples in a new light. You know what’s even more interesting about this restaurant? They now have a branch in Los Angeles for our diaspora brothers and sisters.
The ‘kitchen’ might scare you into thinking you’re getting regular homemade meals but that is so not true. Z Kitchen easily ranks among the best restaurants in Lagos and you’ll know why when you pay them a visit.
Branch: 19 Saka Tinubu St, Victoria Island 106104, Lagos.
Perks: Dine-in, takeout, group friendly, smoking patio, bar.
Average customer rating: 4.5 stars
Turaka Lagos
Source: Awe Lagos
Owned by media mogul, Mo Abudu of Ebonylife, this Lagos restaurant is a casual rooftop spot that offers you a generous view of the city. Definitely a spot to visit if you’re planning a picturesque proposal.
Are you even a Lagos big boy/girl if Shiro hasn’t gotten your coins? Nestled within the popular Landmark centre, the offerings at this Pan-Asian restaurant takes your taste buds on a trip you won’t forget in a while.
Branch: Block XVI 3 & 4 Victoria Island Oniru Estate, Eti-Osa.
Average spend: N15- N25k per head.
Perks: Fine dining, dine-in, Sunday buffet, event friendly.
Average customer rating: 4.5 stars.
Ofada Boy
Source: Eat. Drink. Lagos
Think of Ofada boy as the king of the mainland. Food lovers have a love-love relationship with this restaurant because of the authentic African offerings and affordable prices. Easily one of the best restaurants in Lagos, Ofada Boy will feed you on a N5k budget.
Source: TripAdvisor
Menu: Ofada rice, village mixed ofada, seafood ofada rice, ofada kingdom, native soup, fisherman soup, jedi on the rocks, etc.
Branch: 1 Mba St, Surulere, Lagos Surulere
Perks: Private dining, family friendly, takeout, local cuisine.
Average spend: N5k-15k
Average customer rating: 4 stars.
RSVP Lagos
Source: TripAdvisor
If you want a feel of the USA in Lagos, this is the restaurant for you. Everything from the architecture and interior designs screams class. Definitely a place to come if you want to impress bae. Please, hold your bar.
Branch: 9 Eletu Ogabi St, Victoria Island 101001, Lagos
Average spend: N20k-N30k.
Perks: Dine-in, poolside bar, group friendly, private events.
Average customer rating: 4.5 stars.
Cactus
Source: TripAdvisor
Cactus Lagos is another notable mention, and we promise, this isn’t mere word of mouth. Whether you’re looking to catch breakfast, lunch, dinner or intercontinental dishes, you’ll find that there’s a place for you.
Source: Travel Waka
Menu: Avocado bruschetta, crispy calamari, 9ja bites, cobb salad, norge salad, Cuban steak sandwich, teriyaki noodles, etc.
Branch: 20/24 Ozumba Mbadiwe Ave, Victoria Island.
