Mile 12 is one of the popular landmarks in Lagos state, Nigeria. It is the part of Lagos which plays host to the popular Mile 12 market. The market, located in Ketu, is no doubt one of the biggest marketplaces in the state. It is the choice destination for wholesale and retail shopping, especially for consumables.
The Mile 12 market, over the years, has been able to hold its own despite the competition level of business spaces in the state. The market has been able to remain relevant for over 20 years, by creating a niche for itself. Mile 12 is arguably the most common name on the lips of traders when food items are discussed. It is also among the most popular markets in Lagos.
It is one place you can get all the food items you want: beans, rice, tomatoes, pepper, palm oil, yam among others. Though the Mile 12 market is famed for its availability of consumables, it does not mean non-consumables are not sold here too.
There are over thousands of people in Mile 12 every day. The atmosphere is what you expect of a typical Lagos market. Sometimes it can be intense considering that the Mile 12 market is a depot for those selling and seeking to buy in wholesales. It is where all the food products coming from within and outside the states land.
So, it is the meeting point for both buyers and sellers. Arguably, there are more traders from different ethnic groups in the Mile 12 market than any other market. Here, you will find Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Ebira, Idoma, Efik, Fulani, Ibibio, Kanuri and Igala traders to mention a few.
Aside from the business activities that go on within and outside Mile 12, it is undoubtedly one of the major places with traffic congestion. This is due to the number of people within the area and a couple of bad roads. That said, there are still a number of things to know about Mile 12 and the Mile 12 market.
Contents
Mile 12 Market Overview
Before we begin, there are chances that you have heard or been to Mile 12. Although, there are also chances that you haven’t and need a guide on Mile 12. Whatever your reasons are, this phase of the article is tailored as a guide to what to expect in the area.
How To Get To Mile 12
As mentioned earlier, Mile 12 (or Mile 12 market) is definitely one of the most popular landmarks in Lagos. In fact, it is arguably the most important market in the state. Reason for this is that most of the food items from others states and border countries are usually landed at Mile 12. Hence, it is the number one place for both buyer and sellers of these farm products.
By now, you should understand that Mile 12 is mostly used interchangeably with the Mile 12 market. Though, it is not to be confused with Mile 2 which is a different place in Lagos entirely. That said, how then do you get to Mile 12? Definitely, it is a popular place in Lagos and common amidst traders. It is quite easy even though you are a first timer in Lagos.
The Mile 12 market is located in Ketu along the Ikorodu-Epe road of Lagos. From anywhere within Lagos, all you need do is find your way to Ketu and it is easy from there. Once you have located Ketu, navigating your way to Mile 12 becomes easier.
What To Expect In Mile 12
Finding your way to Mile 12 is not enough, you should have an idea of things to expect. Though it is like every other market in Lagos: the typical hustle and bustle atmosphere. However, there are things distinct to Mile 12 alone.
On getting to Mile 12, the first thing that is likely to welcome you is the smell of rot. This is largely due to the amount of food that ends up as waste. The Mile 12 market is home to almost all kinds of consumables, most of which are fruits – tomatoes, watermelon, oranges, banana, mango, carrot, and many others.
Another thing that is visible before entering the market is the influx in the area. Most of which are traders, including those who hawk goods like sachet water and soft drinks. All these are the likely scenes as you get to Mile 12.
Going deep into the market, you are definitely going to find more and more buyers and sellers. Also, it is not unusual to see a considerable number of trucks in the market. As you must have already learned, the Mile 12 market is more like a depot point for food items coming to Lagos.
Since Mile 12 is a wholesale-retail market, it is not unexpected that there are enough goods to see on display. It is also important to note that the prices of good here are relatively cheap. Due to the fact that you are likely going to buy in bulk and not in units.
Aside from the things to expects in terms of scenes, there is still one thing left to know about Mile 12. That is the time in which you are visiting the area. Inasmuch as you can visit the market at any time of the day, you also want to put into consideration the season. Is it a rainy or dry season?
It is important that you consider the season of the year. Like other major markets in Lagos, Mile 12 is sometimes unpredictable. However, the season of the year helps you prepare on your timing of visit among other things. Due to the number of bad roads and food wastage in the Mile 12 market, visiting the area can be challenging.
When visiting the Mile 12 market at any time of the season, it is advisable to take along nose masks. If you are visiting during the rainy period, then it important you are putting on rubber shoes and shorts if you can.
Security In Mile 12
The truth is, Mile 12 is like any other major market in Lagos. The usual hustle and bustle are expected; people bumping into themselves. It is also not without the usual Lagos dramas. On a general note, the market is considered safe. Though it not enough reason to be careless with your belongings; especially money because most business transactions are done in cash.
3 BEDROOM APARTMENTS FOR SALE IN KETU
Mile 12 Online
“Mile 12 online”, this is one phrase you probably might have come across on the internet. Maybe you have heard someone mention it. Then the question is, what does the phrase “Mile 12 online” mean? The truth is, your guess is right if you had thought of it literally. Yes, it is the Mile 12 market online.
Thanks to the internet and the introduction of newer technologies, there is practically nothing that can’t be done online. The internet, today, is no doubt a vital part of our daily activities. We currently live in a click and share world and it’s not surprising that people depend on these new technologies to communicate and do business.
Today, there are more businesses online that in the last decade. The reason is not far-fetched as these businesses are projected for the future. It is a common culture for people to do almost everything online. From communication to work to shopping. It is same as the “Mile 12 online”.
The Mile 12 online phrase is used to categorise all the online platforms around the Mile 12 market. This is as a result of people not knowing the exact online platform they are searching for. There are quite a number of online platforms like mile12market.com, mile12plus.com, mile12mart.com that make buying from Mile 12 seamless.
Considering the stress of going to the market physically, you can just decide to order them online. This process like every other online shopping process tends to make things easier and faster.
Imota: The New Mile 12 Market?
Imota is without a doubt one of the many areas that have been in the news in recent months. It is that area of Lagos state under the Ikorodu Division that has been dubbed the new face of Mile 12. While there are ongoing business activities in the Mile 12 market, Imota is set to be the promised land for the mile 12 traders. A transition that is being engineered by the state government.
Imota is what many has termed the “new mile 12 market”. A move which is as a result of the loud cries of people who use the road every day. The Mile 12 market is definitely the major cause of traffic congestion in the Ketu area. Hence, Imota, which is along the Ikorodu Epe road, is the relocation site for the traders.
The new site is set to be in full operation in 2019. Though, as expected, the plan has been met with protest from those who do not buy into the idea. However, the Lagos state government on several occasions has come out to reassure the people of their fears and discuss the benefits of the new location.
The reason in which Imota was chosen as the location for the new Mile 12 market is to complement the state’s rice initiative. According to research carried out, Lagos state is among the top states in Nigeria with a high consumption rate of rice. This means it (Lagos) tends to increase its production of rice at the Imota rice mill.
It is also important that Lagos recently signed a MoU with Kebbi state for supplies of paddy rice. This is in order to get rice supplies from Kebbi. The goal of the partnership and proposed move of the Mile 12 market is to turn Lagos from a rice consuming state to a producing state.
As a result of the plans to move the Mile 12 market to Imota, the value of real estate properties has continued to increase. Many people are now considering the area for investments which is visible with the number of lands for sale in Imota.
The big question everyone is asking still is, Is Imota the perfect fit for the new Mile 12 market?
A trip to Mile 12 Market by allnigerianrecipes
Kindly share your opinion or experience of Mile 12 with fellow PropertyPro.ng readers.
