By Biodun Busari

Nigeria has been battling with harsh economic conditions that have subjected its citizens to a high cost of living as costs of items daily become unbearable in markets which emanated from the removal of fuel subsidy when President Bola Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023.

The costs of food commodities keep rising as Nigerians grappled with a food inflation rate that rose to 33.93 per cent on a year-on-year basis in December 2023, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

It is then important for Nigerians to cut costs and find better means of surviving including getting cheaper food commodities.

This article shares the top seven Lagos markets to purchase food commodities.

1. Ile-Epo market

Ile-Epo market is a popular market situated along the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway around Abule-Egba. It is under Alimosho local government and Lagos residents living on the Mainland use this market to purchase food commodities at low prices. The market boasts of providing varieties of grains, tubers, vegetables, fruits, and oils, including frozen foods to customers in bulk, for Lagosians to cut costs. It is closer to people living in Abule-Egba, Agege, Iyana-Ipaja, Alimosho, and other surrounding areas.

2. Mile 12 market

Mile 12 market is another popular foodstuff market for Lagosians on the Mainland. The Mile 12 market is found in the Ketu axis of Lagos along Ikorodu Road under Kosofe local government. Practically all food commodities are found in Mile 12 market. Grains, fruits, pepper, onions, tomatoes, and tubers. Packaged goods like beverages can also be purchased in large quantities at low prices in Mile 12. Residents living in Ojota, Ketu, Ilupeju, Ikorodu, Surulere, Oshodi patronise this market.

3. Oyingbo market

Oyingbo market is another popular food market serving Lagos residents living in Surulere, Yaba, and Ebute Metta. It links people on the Mainland and Lagos Island, and as such people from Isale Eko can buy bulk foodstuff at low prices. Oyingbo market is one of the oldest markets in Lagos where tubers, grains, vegetables, fish, and all kinds of seafood, and meats are bought. It serves large and small quantity buyers.

4. Iddo market

Iddo Market is located near the Nigerian Railways Terminus on Lagos Island. The Iddo market is one of the oldest markets before the discovery of oil when farm produce was transported from the north into Lagos by rail. Iddo market still serves Lagos residents who want to purchase food products such as rice, onion, yam, beans, and many more at wholesale prices. Aside from buying grains at bulk prices, goats and cattle can also be purchased in Iddo market. Lagosians residing in Bariga, Ijora, Makoko and Ebute Meta purchase farm produce in Iddo market.

5. Sura market

Sura market is basically the market for people living on Lagos Island to get food products at affordable prices. Lagos residents in Adeniji Adele, Tinubu, some parts of Ikoyi, and Obalende purchase grains, fruits, meat and fish, vegetables and other food commodities in Sura market. The market sits deep in the heart of Lagos Island.

6. Ajah market

Ajah market attracts Lagos residents living in Lekki, Ajah, Ibeju-Lekki, Sangotedo and the environs. The market is predominantly known for building materials, but also serves as a foodstuff market to purchase basic items like rice, beans, garri, vegetables, and beef, especially fish, crabs, crayfish, as well as fruits.

7. Sandgrouse market

Sandgrouse market is the food market for Lagosians residing in the high-brow areas of Ikoyi and Victoria Island. The market offers reasonable prices to purchase grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy products and a variety of foodstuffs than what to get in malls and superstores.