Lekki Arts and Crafts Market

The Lekki Arts and Crafts Market is the best-known place in Lagos to shop for Nigerian and West African crafts. It goes by several names, which can be confusing: it sits inside the Jakande market along the Lekki-Epe Expressway and is also called the Jakande Art Market and the Oba Elegushi International Market, while many local people know it as the Bar Beach market. Using that name when you give directions can help.

The market is a maze of stalls and small shops selling almost every kind of craft you can think of. There are wood and bronze sculptures, masks, contemporary paintings and metalwork, colourful Ankara and other locally made fabrics, tie-dye clothing, raffia and woven baskets, beadwork and jewellery, and leather goods such as shoes, bags, wallets and sandals. Goods come from all over Nigeria and beyond, from the north of the country to Ghana, and many traders are happy to tell you where a piece was made and by whom, which adds to the experience.

Bargaining is expected and is part of the fun. First prices are often set high for visitors, so take your time, compare similar items at different stalls and agree a price you are comfortable with before you pay. Be friendly but firm, and do not feel obliged to buy after a long conversation. Bring cash in naira in small denominations, as not every trader takes cards or transfers. If you buy large carvings or antiques, ask about packing and check your airline's luggage rules, and be aware that genuinely old cultural objects may need export permits.

The market suits souvenir hunters, art lovers and anyone furnishing a home, and it is a good introduction to the range of Nigerian craft traditions in one place. Allow one to two hours. The stalls are well organised and well stocked, but parts of the market can be muddy and uncomfortable after heavy rain, so wear sensible shoes in the rainy season. Mornings are cooler and calmer than afternoons.

The market is on the Lekki-Epe Expressway on the Lekki Peninsula, a drive of around 30 minutes to an hour from Victoria Island depending on traffic. Ride-hailing cars are the easiest way to get there. It combines well with the Lekki Conservation Centre and the Nike Art Gallery, both also on the peninsula, for a full day of nature, art and shopping.