on June 8, 2022 No Comments
The Lekki Arts and Crafts Market (also known as Jakande Art Market or Oba Elegushi International Market), as the name implies, is located in Lekki, a city in Lagos, Nigeria. It is a large market, showcasing a wide variety of African art and crafts. Regarded as the largest art markets in Nigeria, its catalog consists of paintings, sculptures, woodwork, fashion accessories, furniture, metalworks, intricately designed chairs and bowls, locally made fabrics, bangles, Ankara, etc. It is also a tourist attraction because one can always visit the market for sightseeing or developing your creativity. Several people visit the market year in, year out and there are reviews from their visits on so many platforms, some of which you can find here. The beautiful pieces on sale all throughout the market are always on display, for all to see.
In our opinion, the best time to visit this market is around 9am-1pm on a weekday, when it is bright out and all the market’s vendors have arrived and set up their wares to be displayed. Going with a friend or two is also advisable but one can also enjoy the beauty of the market alone. The market is located on Oba Elegushi Street (hence the alias), off Lekki-Epe Expressway, just between the 4th and 5th roundabout. This location is unknown too many, therefore it is a bit of a hassle to locate, but if you are looking for it, you will find it.
Tip: If you plan to visit this place with public transportation, please refer to the place as the Oba Elegushi market as the “Lekki Arts and Crafts market” does not really resonate with the people in the area.
The roads leading to the market are not great but the market is well organized which is not the case for most Nigerian markets. The stores have a numbering system which helps customers to locate them easily. There are always different products on sale, most pieces coming from different parts of the country and having different culrural backgrounds that make each piece unique. This large variety of products makes it easy for the average buyer or tourist to find something that catches their eye, to purchase. The versatility of this market’s range of products also increases its desirability which in turn leads to sales for the market.
More Tips for Shopping at the Lekki Arts and Crafts Market
- Be prepared to bargain
As with all Lagos and even Nigerian markets, bargaining is a necessary skill to have when shopping. Although the market offers relatively cheap prices for its products, having negotiation skills to get even better offers wouldn’t hurt. Do not feel bad about this because in Nigerian markets, you are expected to bargain. For tourists, to be sure of the price of a product before buying it, it is best to negotiate between two to five other vendors selling the same product to have an idea of the real price. Keep in mind though, that every laborer needs a good wage so ensure to bargain with the fear of God in your hearts. Just kidding! All we ask is that you remember to be fair.
- Do not visit during the rainy season
For a Nigerian living in Nigeria, this is self-explanatory but for the sake of everyone else, we will explain further. `During the rainy season, the already bad roads leading to the market get flooded, which makes it even worse and difficult to ply. Although it is usually advised to visit the market with a car, cars can only do so much against the roads in the rainy season. Apart from the roads leading to the market, the ground in the market are usually flooded as well, making it difficult to walk around, a very neccessary part of shopping.
- Do not be afraid to window shop
Look around as many shops as possible! Do not be afraid to just look around to see what you like, it is allowed. This gives you the advantage of getting different art pieces at the most affordable prices. Old pieces are usually kept behind the new ones at the market, so be patient. When shopping in Nigerian markets, it is important to know what you are looking for, or at least a rough idea, so as not to outspend your budget or forget an important item. Nevertheless, one should still go in with an open mind as you might see something you really love that was unplanned. The sellers are very receptive of exploration of their wares and you can ask for their business card in case you find something you want to shop for later.
- Try not to buy from the very first vendor
Patience is key in shopping, as there are a lot of stores in the market. Take your time to look through each store, inspect products, compare prices and product quality. If time is on your side, visit as many stores as possible. The stores are well labelled with a good numbering system so you can always find your way back to any store to purchase an item you liked there. Do not feel pressured to buy everything you see/touch, as you may get it for a cheaper price at a different stall.
- Be prepared for the sun
Sunscreen, hats and sunglasses are your best friend when going outside in Lagos. Visiting the market is no different. The sun is worse at midday so if you get there early, you are likely to be done before the worst of it. Also keep a bottle of water handy as you go round the market to stay hydrated as it can get very hot.
If you’re unable to visit this market, please check out our online store where we sell beautiful African art work, crafted pieces and all kinds of art supplies. We offer nationwide doorstep delivery and pay on delivery options to Lagos buyers. Click here to shop !
