5 Ways to Spot a Fake Job Advert in Lagos Before It Wastes Your Transport Fare
Dear Lagos Hustler,
If you’ve ever worn your best shirt, borrowed money for transport, and landed in a shady “interview” that turned out to be GNLD, Norland, or soap-selling madness, then this article is for you.
And if you haven’t fallen victim yet, read this like your peace of mind depends on it — because it does. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
In Lagos, job scams are like potholes: everywhere, painful, and mostly ignored by government. So how do you avoid wasting your time, energy, and last ₦1,000 on a job that doesn’t exist?
Let’s break it down.
🚩 1. If the Job Advert Is Too Vague, Run
Fake job ads love mystery. They’ll write things like:
“Urgent Vacancy! Graduate Trainees Needed! No Experience Required! Apply Now!!”
Sounds good, right?
But they won’t mention:
-
The company name
-
The job role
-
What you’ll actually be doing
That’s not a job ad — that’s a trap. If it’s not clear, it’s not real.
🚩 2. They Always Ask You to “Dress Corporate” But No One There Is Wearing Shoes
You arrive at the location — maybe Ikeja, Surulere, or Lekki Phase 1 — and the “office” looks like an abandoned tutorial center.
You see people in sweaty shirts holding brown envelopes and one confused guy in a tie shouting names from a list.
Next thing, someone motivational will talk for 40 minutes and introduce a “global opportunity” that somehow involves buying soap or supplements.
My brother, that’s not job recruitment, that’s GNLD onboarding.
🚩 3. Any Job That Wants You to Pay First Is 100% Scam
Real jobs pay you.
Fake jobs want you to:
-
Buy a registration form
-
Pay for training
-
Pay for ID card
-
Buy starter pack
Let’s be clear:
If they ask you for even ₦1 before you get your salary, they’re using you for business, not offering you a career.
🚩 4. They Say “Marketing” But Never Explain What You’re Marketing
You’ll see ads like:
“Vacancy for Business Executive / Marketing Role. Unlimited Income Potential.”
You apply thinking it’s an office role.
But when you get there, they hand you flyers, creams, and a target.
That’s not a marketing job — that’s wahala.
If the JD (Job Description) is hiding more than it’s revealing, skip it.
🚩 5. Check Google, Nairaland, and Instagram Before You Leave Your House
This step will save you transport fare, heartbreak, and dry jokes from bus conductors.
Just Google the name of the company or copy the text you received. Chances are, someone has already posted a warning:
“Don’t go! It’s GNLD o. I went and cried.”
Even the building address alone might bring up old blog posts or reviews.
Use Nairaland, Twitter/X, and Instagram. Scam recruiters don’t change script — they just change their number.
⚠️ 🎯 BONUS: Top Lagos Hotspots for Fake Job Scams (With Real Street Reports)
Based on multiple threads from Nairaland, complaints on Twitter/X, and job forums, here are the top red-flag locations in Lagos often associated with fake job interview setups:
🔥 1. Ikeja – Around Computer Village / Obafemi Awolowo Way / Opebi
-
Very common for vague job texts
-
Many fake “business centres” running as GNLD-style recruiting zones
🔥 2. Ogba – Along Aguda, College Road Axis
-
Popular zone for “executive marketing roles” that become pyramid schemes
-
Locations often use buzzwords like “multinational” or “private firm”
🔥 3. Surulere – Bode Thomas / Iponri / Alaka Area
-
Known for fake offices that appear in job texts without branding or real HR presence
🔥 4. Lekki Phase 1 – Admiralty Road Axis
-
Scammers here target “tech bros” and Gen Z with titles like “Brand Ambassador” or “Remote Sales Partner”
-
Most times it’s glorified door-to-door sales
🔥 5. Agege – Capitol Road / Pen Cinema Area
-
Common for “youth empowerment” traps and get-rich-quick seminar-style job offers
If you’re going to any of these places for an interview and the company is not clearly named or verified online, don’t go. Ask questions. Do background checks.
💡 Final Lagos Survival Advice
Lagos will test you.
It will try to market you, not employ you.
But you’re smarter now. Read between the lines. Trust your instinct. Check Google.
And never forget — no real job will ask you to buy soap before paying your salary.