Suppose you are looking to buy electronics in Lagos where would you go? Alaba International Market is the right place to buy electrical appliances, gadgets, and spare parts for vehicles and machinery.
Alaba International Market is located in the Ojo area in Lagos State Nigeria, giving a unique shopping experience of the hustle and bustle of Lagos’s vibrant market culture filled with various electronics at affordable prices.
Since its establishment in 1978 in Ojo Alaba, it has grown into a major commercial hub for trade and commerce with over 30,000 shops and stalls in the market.
If it’s your first time visiting or relocating to Lagos, don’t worry about electronic devices or gadgets, home appliances, and a wide range of spare parts for your vehicles and machinery. Just set aside a full day to tour Alaba International Market and you will be satisfied with the unique finds at good prices in this quintessential hub of commerce in Lagos.
Alaba International Market now attracts buyers from all over Nigeria and neighboring countries, Daily Trust has it that the market started as a small open-air market with just a few traders selling electronics and home appliances. Over time, as more traders joined and the variety of goods expanded, it gained popularity and patronage across Nigeria and beyond.
Today, Alaba International Market sprawls over 200 hectares with tens of thousands of shops and traders dealing in a wide range of products, from textiles and shoes to cosmetics and automotive parts. It’s a bustling marketplace open 7 days a week, attracting over 50,000 visitors daily seeking good deals and the latest goods.
What to Expect from the Alaba International Market
When you visit Alaba International Market, don’t expect the least because your mind will be blown away by the array of goods, the vibrant atmosphere, and the energy there, from the activity of sourcing, negotiating, buying, and packing of goods in the overcrowded market.
1. Variety of Products: In terms of electronics, and electrical equipment, you have varieties in the Alaba international market.
2. Commonly Used Language: The commonly used language in the Alaba market is Nigerian pidgin English
3 Negotiation Culture: If you visit Alaba, please learn negotiation skills. The ability to bargain is a common practice at Alaba International Market. Be ready to negotiate prices with vendors for the best deals if not you’ll be paid more than what you budgeted
4. Crowded Atmosphere: The market is usually crowded during peak hours and weekends, so it’s advisable to be mindful of your belongings and stay alert.
5. Shaddy Product Dealer: The market no doubt offers genuine products, it’s essential to verify the authenticity of any devices or products before making purchases. As some dealers are cunny and manipulative and could sell inferior or spoilt items to buyers.
6. Street Boys: When you get to Alaba International Market you will find a lot of street guys, most of them don’t have shops but will keep asking Oga na TV you wan buy (do you want to buy TV) in Nigerian Pidgin.
7. Different Sections: In the market, all items have their various sections where they are sold, eg TV section, sound system section, electrical parts section, mobile accessories section, etc
Operational Details Of Alaba International Market
Knowing when the market will be opened or when big players in the market will be available would save you a lot.
1. Days of Operations: Alaba International Market operates from Monday to Saturday, with Monday being a bustling day as traders restock their stalls after the weekend.
2. They don’t open on Sundays: The market is closed on Sundays, so plan your visit accordingly to avoid disappointment.
3. Peak Hours: The market is always the busiest during the mid-morning to early afternoon, especially on weekdays.
Video source: 4K Africa
Safety Tips To Buy Electronics in Lagos Alaba International Market
In as much as Alaba International Market promises a unique shopping experience, you must take these safety measures when visiting one of the largest markets in West Africa.
1: Locate The Right section: When you arrive at the market ensure you first locate sections where items you want to buy are sold. This is very important. If you’re shopping for home appliances, head straight to that section. Being in the spare parts area when you need an appliance can be confusing. If you’re not sure about the market, seek advice from trustworthy sources and watch out for scammers
2. Have a Guide who’s Familiar with the Market: You know Alaba International boasts of over 30,000 shops and stalls and having no guide to assist you in shopping could make you fall victim to scammers. Please, do not go to Alaba International Market alone.
3. Don’t display valuables: Leave expensive phones, watches, jewelry, and bags at home or in your locked vehicle. Pickpockets target distracted shoppers, so don’t make yourself an easy mark.
4. Beware of your surroundings: Be alert in crowded areas like shop entrances or checkout lines. Keep bags closed and secure, and watch for people trying to reach into your pockets or bags. Stay near main walkways, avoiding isolated sections of the market.
5. Negotiate prices outside shops: Discuss prices with vendors outside their shops. This allows you to walk away easily, if needed, without feeling trapped inside. It also lets you compare offers from different vendors to get the best deal.
6. Trust your instincts: If anything feels off or makes you uncomfortable, leave the area immediately. Don’t hesitate to ask security guards or police officers for help if you feel threatened or sense danger. Your safety is the top priority, so get out of any situation that worries you.
7. Avoid Street Guys At All Cost: These guys will always approach you offering to take you to where you will buy items you need, then take you to where you end up buying inferior items at a higher rate which they go back and collect their percentage after the buyer left.
These common-sense tips will help ensure an enjoyable shopping experience at Alaba International Market. Staying alert and avoiding risky behaviors can prevent problems, allowing you to focus on finding great deals in this bustling marketplace.
How to Get to Alaba International Market From Various Parts of Lagos
If you are going to visit Alaba International Market for the first time, don’t worry it’s pretty straightforward. Buckle your seat belts and let’s go on a virtual tour of the great market. Here are the main ways to access this popular market:
From Ikeja
Alaba International Market is situated in the Ojo area of Lagos, about 30 kilometers from the central business district of Ikeja
- You will take a commercial bus (known as “danfo” in Nigeria) at Ikeja Under Bridge going to Iyanoba which usually costs around 600 naira to 700 naira. ( these prices aren’t stable)
- When you get Iyanoba, you can get a straight motorcycle (known as “Okada” in Nigeria) that can carry you inside the market.
From Oshodi
- Enter the Mile 2 bus at Bolade bus stop in Oshodi.
- When you arrive at mile 2, drop and ask for the Iyana-Iba bus, sometimes you get a direct Alaba bus from mile 2. When you arrive in Iyana-Oba, cross the express to the other side and inquire about the Maruwa (Tricycle) going to Alaba
From Iyana Ipaja
- If you want to go through Iyana-Ipaja, from Iyana-Ipaja, go toward the flyover (under the bridge); a little after the flyover, you will find a road on your right-hand side, follow the road and ask people for the bus going to Iyana-Oba. When you get to Iyana-Oba, proceed to the express and cross over to the other side, then request for keke Napep (Maruwa) going to Alaba.
- From Iyana-Ipaja, take the bus to Iyana-Iba, alight at the last bus/stop, and join the bus to Ojo; inform the conductor you want to alight at Alaba, then take a bike inside the market.
Charter a Ride
You can also hire an Uber, Taxify, or local taxi to take you directly to Alaba International Market. Fares for a chartered ride will likely range from ₦3,000 to ₦7,000 each way, depending on where you’re coming from. Be sure to tell the driver you want to go to “Ojo Alaba Market” or the specific product section you’re interested in, such as “Alaba Electronic Market” or “Alaba Scrap Materials Market, etc. Your driver should be familiar with the different areas of this massive market.
The journey may take some time due to Lagos traffic, so give yourself at least an hour or two for travel to ensure you have enough time to explore the market and make any purchases or business deals. With some patience and the right mindset, you’ll soon find yourself immersed in the bustling aisles of Alaba International Market.
Note: Please note that there are various routes to get to Alaba market, your familiarity with Lagos and means of transportation
Conclusion
We’ve reached the end of our tour through one of the biggest and largest markets to buy electronics in Lagos, Alaba International Market. After learning about the bustling, hustling, vibrant market culture, and array of goods, you likely have a feel of the atmosphere and entrepreneurial spirit.
Though the market faces challenges like security issues, overcrowdedness, etc., you can have a fantastic shopping experience with patience and resilience.
When you visit to buy electronics in Lagos, make your way to this iconic trading hub to experience a slice of commerce that fuels the city. Take your time exploring each section, try some local cuisine, and don’t be afraid to negotiate – you’ll walk away with unique goods and a memory of the lively marketplace that is the heartbeat of Alaba.
You can also read about Mile 12 Market in Lagos
Thanks for Reading, and Kindly share your experience of the Alaba international market with us so others can learn from it.
