Jobs That Exist Only in Lagos and Nowhere Else in Nigeria

Yes, you heard me right! There are jobs you’ll only find in Lagos; not Abuja, not Kano, not Enugu, just Lagos. And before you say, “That’s a lie, work na work anywhere”, let me explain.

Lagos is a different planet inside Nigeria. It’s not just the most populated city in the country, but also the most chaotic, most stressful, most competitive, and most creative place to make money. In Lagos, if you blink, you might just miss a new job someone has invented to survive the madness of the city.

Lagosians don’t joke with hustle. With over 20 million people competing for space, food, transport, and opportunities, people have no choice but to think outside the box. Some jobs exist because of Lagos traffic. Some exist because of the high cost of living. And some exist because, well, only Lagosians can tolerate them.

So, let’s talk about some of the weird, unique, and purely Lagos-based jobs that you won’t find anywhere else in Nigeria.

1. The "Hold-Up" Hawkers – Selling Anything and Everything in Traffic

If you’ve ever driven through Lagos, you know that traffic is a permanent resident of the city. Some people say Lagos traffic has no beginning and no end, and honestly, they’re not wrong. But while most people are frustrated by it, some smart hustlers have turned it into a full-time job.

These are the "hold-up" hawkers, young men and women who sell everything imaginable in the middle of traffic. And when I say everything, I mean everything! From the usual snacks like plantain chips, gala, and bottled water to more unexpected things like toothbrushes, phone chargers, slippers, frying pans, toilet brushes, car wipers, belts, and even puppies!

Where else in Nigeria do you see someone buying a full set of cooking pots inside traffic? Only in Lagos!

These hawkers don’t just stand by the roadside waiting for customers—they run after moving cars, sometimes competing with buses to make sales. And if they see someone hesitating to buy, they will chase your car until you give in. That level of determination? Only in Lagos.

2. The “Agbero” – Lagos Conductors in a Class of Their Own

Ah, Agberos—the kings of Lagos motor parks. If you’ve ever taken a bus in Lagos, you’ve definitely encountered them. They are the self-proclaimed lords of the road, controlling commercial transport and collecting money from bus drivers, whether legally or not.

Agberos are not conductors, even though some of them double as one. Their job is mainly to harass collect levy from danfo (yellow bus) drivers, control bus stops, and sometimes "settle disputes" with their fists. If you hear someone shouting "Owo da?! Owo da?!" at a Lagos bus stop, just know that an Agbero is collecting tax.

Some Agberos make so much money daily that they don’t even bother looking for another job. It’s a job that thrives only in Lagos because of the crazy transport system. In other Nigerian states, transport unions exist, but nowhere do they operate with the same raw energy, boldness, and intimidation as in Lagos.

3. The Professional “Queue Holders” – Standing in Line for You

Yes, Lagosians have outsourced standing in line. Lagos is too fast-paced for many people to waste time queuing up for hours. So, some sharp entrepreneurs have made a job out of holding spaces in queues for busy people.

It could be at the bank, the passport office, a fuel station, a hospital, or even a concert—wherever there's a long queue, these professionals are ready to stand in your place for hours in exchange for money.

Imagine you need to renew your international passport, but you don’t have time to be standing under the hot sun for five hours. No problem! Just pay someone to hold your spot and call you when it’s almost your turn. Simple!

This job exists only in Lagos because nowhere else in Nigeria are people in such a constant, desperate hurry.

4. The Lekki “Beach Bouncers” – Collecting Money for Sand and Water

Lagos has some of the most beautiful beaches in Nigeria, and naturally, people go there to relax. But here’s the funny thing: you can’t just walk into some beaches in Lekki and think you’re safe.

There are beach bouncers—not security guards, but guys who act like they own the ocean itself. Their job? Collect “gate fee” from visitors and harass anyone who refuses to pay.

Even if you’re just passing through or taking pictures, these guys will still find a way to charge you for "using the sand" or "watching the waves". It’s a whole industry on its own, and no matter how ridiculous the charge sounds, people still pay because Lagos has a way of making you accept nonsense as normal.

Where else in Nigeria do you get charged for walking on natural land? Only in Lagos!

5. The "Expressway Preachers" – Evangelism in the Fast Lane

You see those pastors preaching on the street while dodging speeding cars? That’s a Lagos thing. These expressway preachers are not your regular church pastors. They don’t have microphones, pulpits, or church buildings—the expressway is their pulpit.

Armed with a megaphone and a Bible, they stand at busy bus stops, under bridges, and inside market squares, preaching at the top of their lungs. But here’s the kicker: some of them don’t just preach for free—they expect offerings too!

In some cases, they’ll end their sermon with “My brothers and sisters, if you have been blessed by this word, support the ministry with whatever God lays on your heart”—and before you know it, people start dropping money in their hands!

Preachers exist everywhere, but this level of roadside evangelism-as-a-job is a special Lagos feature.

6. The "Omo-Onile" Land Grabbers – Selling the Same Land to 10 People

Buying land in Lagos is a spiritual battle. The moment you show interest in a piece of land, expect Omo-Onile (local land grabbers) to appear from nowhere, claiming the land belongs to their ancestors.

Their job is simple: harass land buyers, claim “family ownership,” and demand settlement before construction starts. And even after you settle them, there’s no guarantee they won’t return later with another group claiming a different “family right” over the same land!

This scam thrives only in Lagos because of poor land documentation and the never-ending demand for land. In other states, buying land is straightforward, but in Lagos, it’s a survival-of-the-fittest business.

Conclusion – Lagos Jobs Are a Different Breed

Lagos is not like anywhere else in Nigeria, so naturally, some jobs can only exist there. The combination of traffic, population, stress, and hustle spirit has created an environment where people invent new ways to survive every day.

Whether it’s running after cars to sell snacks, standing in line for people, charging people for sand, or selling land that doesn’t belong to them, Lagosians have mastered the art of making money from anything.

So next time you visit Lagos, look around—you’ll see people making a living in ways that will leave you shocked. Because in Lagos, anything is a hustle, and every hustle is a job!