The thriving mega city of Lagos was dabbed in bright, bold, beautiful colour on Monday as thousands of residents sashayed on to the Tafawa Balewa Square to take part in the one-day annual Lagos Carnival.

Adorned with feathers and tafeta in hues of orange, green and vivid red, Lagosians, young and old, got into the spirit of things, winding to popular music and thrilling the crowd of onlookers out for a good time.

It is the third time the carnival would hold and residents of the Nigeria’s commercial hub grabbed at the opportunity to “let their hair down” – so to speak – and have a roaring good time.

The carnival, which holds annually at about the Easter break, makes the celebratory holiday memorable for many who come out with friends and family to soak up the spectacle.

But make no mistake, while some Lagosians are perfectly happy to take the day off and join the funfare, it was business as usual for many enterprising vendors who jumped at the opportunity to sell, sell, sell – everything from glittery masks, faux peacock feathers, whistles, gala, gin and juice was up for sale in the barricaded streets surrounding the TBS.

I suppose the city is not called the “commercial hub” for nothing. See my photos from the day out.

Photos for Pilot Africa News by Chika Moses