In February 2023, Peace Popoola, a Growth Marketer, made a significant decision. She left her hometown and family in Ibadan, Oyo State, to accept an enticing job offer at a tech company in Lagos.
One year after this decision, she found it to be one of the best choices she has ever made. It opened more doors of opportunities that were unavailable to her in Ibadan.
For International Workers’ Day, Popoola spoke with The Record’s Omon Okhuevbie on the vast tech opportunities available in Lagos. Additionally, she outlined the benefits of working in the mega city, the challenges and distinctive work culture between Ibadan and Lagos.
This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
What is your name and what do you do?
Peace Popoola: My name Popoola Peace. I am a Growth Marketer and I work in tech.
Can you share what motivated you to move from Ibadan to Lagos?
I moved because I secured an opportunity in Lagos that required me to work on-site on some days. It was a hybrid work routine, so I had to be here in Lagos to take the opportunity.
What specific challenges did you face in the transition phase, and how did you overcome them?
They weren’t challenges per say, just differences as to what the lifestyle was in Ibadan as compared to Lagos. When I moved to Lagos, I found that the amount that I needed to budget for transportation increased remarkably. I also didn’t understand the public transportation system in Lagos, so I had to stick to ride-hailing platforms like Bolt and In-Drive alone. It cost me way more to move around in Lagos, than in Ibadan.
What I did was to make a lifestyle change. In Ibadan, I spent most money on food because I rarely cook at home. In Lagos, I decided to move my budget to transportation and start cooking to reduce the budget for food.
Have you noticed any differences in the cost of living between Ibadan and Lagos, and how does this impact your lifestyle?
Yes, there is a big difference in the cost of living. Like I explained earlier, transportation is a major cost factor. In Ibadan, I move around on bikes, which are cheap. You are also going to be able to get to your destination fast.
In Lagos because I take Bolts and Uber everywhere, it is really expensive. So, transportation takes a good amount of my money every month. Electricity is slightly expensive in Lagos. Food too! You know I had to move from not cooking at home to cooking and storing food in my freezer.
In what ways has Lagos provided opportunities that were not available to you in Ibadan?
I work in tech and in Lagos, there are so many tech companies. From ride-hailing companies to food companies, to software companies, there are so many companies based in Lagos, which is like a tech hub. We are now in the post-pandemic phase where a lot of companies are moving from remote to hybrid or on-site. A lot of tech companies in Lagos require their workers to come into the office physically, and so the tech companies here would prefer to hire people that are already based here or willing to relocate.
So, there are so many opportunities available to people living in Lagos as opposed to Ibadan simply because they are based here. Apart from that, Lagos is a tech hub city beyond Nigeria, in Africa generally too. A lot of tech events tend to happen here.
For instance, if a tech event is to be organised in Nigeria, they would prefer to host the event in Lagos as opposed to any other state in Nigeria. What this does is that it provides networking opportunities for people that are in Lagos, who attend those events. So when you go to these events, you meet other professionals in other industries; you make relevant contacts that would be useful for you in the future. Those people are going to share opportunities with you in the future, refer you for opportunities and then you are going to be able to be a part of the tech community in Lagos as well.
Can you describe a memorable experience or accomplishment for you since you moved to Lagos?
In a way, the opportunity I moved to Lagos for has opened other doors for me. It has gotten me bigger opportunities. The fact that I moved to Lagos to take that opportunity and I worked in that company for a bit has actually given me greater leverage in the job market.
How is the pace of work in Lagos as compared to what you experienced in Ibadan?
I wouldn’t say there is a difference in the pace of work from when I was in Ibadan because when I was in Ibadan, I was working with a remote team; it was still a tech team. The routine is similar to what it is here in Lagos. Might be just be slightly different because I worked hybrid when I got to Lagos, so I had to go to the office, get into traffic and I had to plan these things each day. That’s the only difference but actual work pace isn’t really different.
What strategies have you found most effective for navigating the competitive job market in Lagos?
I haven’t had to do a lot of job hunting since I moved to Lagos. Generally, networking and having the right contacts has given me other opportunities on the side. For my own industry, the best way or easiest way to get a job is by recommendation or referrals.
Have you encountered any cultural differences in the workplace between Ibadan and Lagos, and if so, how have you adapted?
There are not many cultural differences. However, I noticed that in Lagos, the HR team and personnel are more receptive towards environmental factors. For instance, if there is heavy traffic around Lagos, getting late to work is going to be kind of excusable. Considerations are made and then make concessions for people based on Lagos factors like traffic, flood, electricity blackouts, among others.
How do you balance the demands of work and personal life in a bustling city like Lagos?
Balancing it can be a lot actually. I remember when I used to go to the gym. Coming back from work and then heading to the gym was just a lot. This applies to every other activity as well. You have to go to work during the day, you come back and you are just so tired to do any other thing. As this is Lagos, the commute is not convenient. It is stressful, there would mostly likely be traffic and heat.
How I balance it is that I deliberately allocate my time for all the things I want to do because I also run a business too. Weekends are strictly no work for me unless it is urgent or work I carried over during the week. My weekends are actually for rest or for me to go out with my friends, or go to events where I am just going to chill.
How has living and working in Lagos influenced your career aspirations and goals?
It has influenced my career positively. Moving and living in Lagos was important for my career. Right now, what would make me move from Lagos to another place in Nigeria has to be a very strong and serious offer. Even then, I really might turn it down because of the opportunities in Lagos. Being here alone opens you up to so many opportunities. I can now attend events here in Lagos that I used to travel for.
What support systems or resources have you found helpful for career development in Lagos?
For career development, I would always say that support systems or resources are online. I don’t think that they are physical here in Lagos or particular to any state. All the tools and resources people need to climb up the career ladder of any field are available online. You just have to find them and apply them to your career. However, being in Lagos puts you in a better position to actually take up opportunities when they come up.
Are there any aspects of Ibadan that you miss, or do you feel fully settled and content in Lagos?
I do miss Ibadan. Ibadan is going to always be my forever love. I am always going to love that city. Everytime I travel to Ibadan, my heart gets warm. However, I am fully settled in Lagos. I like my life here because I am very outgoing; I go out to events and parties. So, Lagos is actually good for me in that regard. I am having fun in Lagos. I have been able to manage the cons of living here and navigate my way around the high cost of living. I am pretty content here.
What advice would you give to others considering relocating for better opportunities in Lagos, especially on Workers’ Day?
If you have the opportunity to relocate, please do. Again, there are so many opportunities in Lagos and it just puts you in a better position to take them when they come up. Apart from professional work, even for personal business. Lagos has the market for your business. A lot of your potential customers are here. It is a very good place for your career and business to thrive.
Looking ahead, what are your hopes and aspirations for your future in Lagos?
Work-wise, I am just going to remain open to the better opportunities that might come up for me in this city. Outside work, I am looking forward to moving to a more comfortable place in Lagos. I am pretty comfortable, but it would be good to move to a better place in Lagos.