WhoDeyNetworking in Lagos
Most opportunities in Lagos still travel by people: a referral, a client from a friend, a co-founder met at a meetup. Networking here is less about collecting cards and more about being seen regularly by the same people, near where you work.
How do I network in Lagos?
Pick one or two places where people in your field gather regularly (a community meetup, a co-working space, an industry Circle) and keep showing up near where you work. Help first, follow up within two days, and turn good conversations into small plans like lunch or a shared event.
Where do professionals meet in Lagos?
- Community meetups and events in your field. Tech, design, finance and creative communities in Lagos run regular meetups; the repeat attendees matter more than the speakers.
- Co-working spaces. On the Island (Victoria Island, Lekki, Ikoyi) and the Mainland (Yaba, Ikeja), working from the same space two days a week builds familiarity fast.
- Alumni and professional bodies. School alumni groups and professional associations are an underused, trusted network.
- Online first, then in person. Group chats and social posts help, but the relationship usually starts the day you meet.
Plan around traffic: a weekday evening event across the bridge can cost you three hours. Choose the events and spaces you can reach easily, and go often.
How do I follow up without being awkward?
- Message the next day and mention something specific you talked about.
- Offer something useful: an intro, a link, a tip. Do not lead with an ask.
- Suggest a small, specific next step: “coffee near your office on Thursday?”
- Keep in touch lightly: share an event you are both likely to attend.
How does WhoDey help with networking?
WhoDey shows people near you, and you can search by what people do, like “who dey designer” or “women in tech”. Circles gather people around a field or interest, and a Circle’s group chat opens once 20 people have joined it. Plans let you invite people nearby to an event you are going to.
- Add your field to your profile (Me → Edit profile → What I do) so people looking for it find you.
- Join a Circle for your field, or ask the team for a new one. A Circle gets its group chat once 20 people have joined it.
- Only verified members can post Plans and Asks, so an event invite comes from someone who has confirmed who they are.
Need someone for a specific job rather than a contact? See jobs and gigs near you.
Networking when you are new to Lagos
You start with no referrals, so routines matter more. Choose one community in your field and one co-working day a week for your first month. The 30-day plan for newcomers covers the social side, and making friends in Lagos covers the rest.
Safety with new professional contacts
Meet in public places first, be careful with anyone offering a job that needs you to pay, and never share bank details or one-time codes. Report anything suspicious in the app. More on safety.