ELITE LIVING & 'EFFIZY' IN LAGOS

Lagos is Nigeria's economic center and has a rich cultural history and heritage. Its roads carry everything from okadas[1] to Bentleys. Unlike many other parts of Nigeria, upwardly mobile Lagosians are used to red carpet soirees, international concert events on its many beaches, intruding yet engaging paparazzi like Niyi Tabiti, and unbelievable tales of the city's rich, famous and even infamous. But, this is not unique to the Lagos of the 21st century. I remember stories from my late grandmother and others discussing Lagos nightlife as far back as the 1930s. Sundays spent watching horse races at Race Course, evenings spent dancing in fancy shoes and dresses, chauffeurs (yes, chauffeurs) carting important and rich Lagosians all over town for business and pleasure. Well attended polo matches and events that continue till this day. Yes, Lagosians are used to opulence.

Lagos is one of the world's most expensive cities, so it is no surprise that many of its residents have seriously expensive tastes. Although 2008 statistics indicate that only 110,200 households in the entire nation have disposable income of $75,000 or more, it seems the quest to "keep up with the Joneses" is a particularly expensive one in Nigeria's self styled "City of Excellence". Goody bags for guests at children's birthday parties no longer include pencils, erasers or books. Nowadays, the better goody bags aren't bags at all, because no bag could hold the contents being gifted away at swanky birthday parties for little children. From bicycles, to inflatable pools, or toy cars kids can sit in, goody bags-Lagos style are a force to be reckoned with. Long gone are the homemade treats like puffpuff[2] that were staples at childrens birthday parties when I was a youngster and participated in dance competitions to the music of Shina Peters. Now, the kids sing the lyrics of Nigeria's new breed of slick megastars like El Dee and Omawunmi and eat much fancier treats.

And as for the sophisticated stay at home mothers, that in itself presents another interesting scenario. Mothers arrive to pick up their little ones from some of the city's most prestigious schools in huge SUVs with one or two nannies in tow. One nanny to carry the child, the other to carry his or her book bag. The SUVs change daily, just as the designer handbags and luxury sunglasses also change on a daily basis. Also, the nannies are now imported from the Philippines and granted an expenses paid trip home at least once a year.

It appears that Lagosians are on a path to "oppress"[3] anyone and everyone with the inability to keep up. Or, as a very close friend recently said of Lagos, "Effizy[4] is too much o!" But, considering the colorful and flamboyant history of Lagos, it is only to be expected that it is well on its way to becoming an established cosmopolitan city with the trappings that come with such. All that remains is a "Sweet Sixteen"-like show in which participants outdo each other on how large and lavish their fetes and possessions are. That would go a long way to cement Lagos's place on the luxe map, something many of its residents desperately want. But considering that people bankrolling their expensive lifestyles with huge bank loans was a contribuor to the recent sacking of bank chiefs, Lagos's and indeed, Nigeria's elite should beware. The Central Bank's chairman, Sanusi Lamido, is watching. Yet, the threat of condemnation will likely not be enough to dampen Lagosians and their quest for elite living.


Key:
[1] - Okadas are motorcyle taxis used to quickly and cheaply navigate roads.
[2] - puffpuff is a fried, sweet dough ball
[3] - "oppress" used to be a slang term used to suggest that someone or something is better than other things
[4] - "Effizy" is a newer slang term that suggests swagger

* All pictures from Happy Lagosian.