Types of People You Will Meet in Lagos, Nigeria

Inhabitants of Lagos State fall into various categories. Many of them can be placed into their various positions by merely observing them as they walk pass, dress and act.

The Hustler

The hustler is very easy to spot. The hustler group consists of prostitutes, miscreants, corporate beggars and "agberos" (people who help get crowds to fill up buses). Hustlers are often very rude and ill mannered; they are also rough looking and have scars all over their faces and bodies. They have no problems engaging anyone in a physical combat over money and whatnot.

The Corporate Worker

This is a shirt wearing, tie knotting and corporate type of person. They are the bankers, secretaries, insurance brokers and et cetera. They are often smartly dressed, polite and they try to avoid any kind of trouble because they are well aware that the hustlers of Lagos hate their guts and would do anything in order to drag them down to their own level. Many corporate workers are often the target of mean remarks by hustlers but many corporate workers have chosen the best way to avoid conflict by simply ignoring these cruel remarks (which further enrages the hustlers). Female hustlers are often jealous of female corporate workers and they would go to any lengths to engage a corporate type in a physical scuffle.

The Mooch

The mooch is a wanderer who gets his daily bread from people he praises. He would walk up to you and sing your praises and expects you to part with some money and if you refuse to pay him, he would steal or cause you bodily harm. The mooch always looks unkempt, and he uses most of the money he gets from people to smoke Indian hashish and drink local spirits.

The Student

The student is easily recognized because most primary and secondary students are only allowed to wear school uniforms. The college students are recognised by their swagger which does not go unnoticed by anyone. The students are regarded as the future of Nigeria and many people often treat them specially; they get half the price of most items and tickets.

The Business Man/Woman

The big business man or woman is highly respected in most parts of Lagos because they have provided jobs for many unemployed youths and they contribute to the growth of the economy. A business man or woman dresses according to his or her taste in fashion. Because many business owners have no strict dress codes, they wear outfits that they feel most comfortable in.

Lagos is full of diverse people and cultures; most people consider Lagos as a no man's land and would scream blue murder if anyone disagrees with them. Every responsible Lagosian is grateful to God if he or she goes out in the morning and comes back home without any kind of trouble from trouble makers who are more than too glad to give you heart-ache. An average Lagosian is also somewhat aggressive, because nice people are mostly considered weaklings and would be picked-on more often than not by hustlers.