The rains in Nigeria are turning out to be more than just a weather event it’s a commercial windfall for business-oriented traders. Across swampy Lagos hotspots like Ojodu-Berger, Oshodi, Ikeja, and CMS, traders are raking it in from the immediate rush in demand for items that keep people dry and warm.
From raincoats and umbrellas to waterproof footwear, ponchos, and quick-dry clothing, the streets are nowadays full of rain-friendly products. Some small traders are interspersing these seasonal goods among their usual merchandise raincoats hung amidst provisions, umbrellas stuck between shoes all in an attempt to make a profit from the rain boom.
Shoe seller Kehinde Salami, who recently began selling raincoats and rubber shoes at his Berger stand, said to me that sales take off during morning downpours when commuters are in a panic to stay dry. “Even if they’re broke, people will still purchase something little so they won’t be embarrassed at work or on the bus,” he said.
The prices vary from N300–N500 for nylon raincoats that are light in weight to N3,000–N6,500 for plastic ones that are hard and have hoods. Full-body two-piece types go for between N9,000 and N12,000. Rubber shoes start from N1,000, while full-length rain boots start from N3,500. The traders are also offering water-resistant caps, phone jackets, and plastic bag shields that go for between N200 and N700.
For the would-be entrepreneurs, this seasonal business does not require huge capital. You can start with a mix of affordable raincoats, umbrellas, and rubber shoes with N20,000–N30,000. Hawkers like Musa Ibrahim in Oshodi recommend mobility: “If you move around during sudden rainfall, you can sell everything in one day.”
While the rain gear trade thrives mainly during the rainy months, traders are encouraged to diversify and adapt based on the needs of the clients turning seasonal rains into steady profit.
