“I Regret This Business”: Nigerian Man Buys Truckload of Yams N20 Each from Makurdi, Sells at Loss in Lagos

A Lagos-based Nigerian man, Irikefe Ogaga, has recounted his experience after travelling to Makurdi to buy yams in 2014.

According to him, he heard that it was a profitable business, and he believed he would become a top shot after reselling the yams in Lagos.

However, after purchasing the yams and returning to Lagos, he was told he couldn’t sell the yams because he wasn’t part of an association.

After spending much money on road taxes, he was forced to sell off the yams at a giveaway price.

He narrated on Twitter:

“2014 I went to Makurdi and bought tubers yam. Those huge ones were sold for 20 naira. I said it’s a gonna be nice to take to Lagos. That they sell yam for 200-300. I was foolish sha. Got that J5 van, loaded it with yam of like 40k. We headed to Lagos that night, oh boy. I dn buy land for lekki for my mind from Benue.”

“There’s this agric tax force and police. Each check point is like 500 naira bribe. You Must Pay or else na wahala. Spent thousands of naira for police, finally got to Lagos and was asked to go to Jobowu that they’ll buy the yam. Lies. Omo, they told me that they don’t buy yam from people who are not part of association.

“For me to sell yam I must be part of association. Guy, where I wan our yam? They forced me to sell a give away price because I was not part of yam sellers association of Lagos. Huge loss coupled with risking my life. Never again.”

Social media reactions

Oska King said:

“You gave up so easily, by now you could’ve been a major exporter of yam.”

Ifeanyichukwu Agwu wrote:

“Everything in Nigeria has a cartel. That’s why we can’t make much of progress unless we break these cartels by creative means.”

Kemity coon added:

“Funny thing! You would have been projecting your profit and boom lagos people shock you.”

See the tweet below:

2014 I went to Makurdi and bought tubers yam. Those huge ones were sold for 20 naira. I said it’s a gonna be nice to take to Lagos. That they sell yam for 200-300. I was foolish sha, 🤣😂. Got that J5 van, loaded it with yam of like 40k. We headed to Lagos that night, oh boy.. https://t.co/eFjy4K3fQ4

— Florida Man (@irikefe_ogaga) April 22, 2023