Seun O

Photographer

seuno.co.uk

Ladipo: Gods of Machines

A weathered warehouse in Ladipo...lls over with auto spare parts.

A weathered warehouse in Ladipo Market spills over with auto spare parts.

A trader sits in the shade at h...tory of commerce and community.

A trader sits in the shade at his stall, surrounded by the vibrant tapestry of market stalls, each telling its own story of commerce and community.

A boy relaxed on a detached car...ommotion of the market traffic.

A boy relaxed on a detached car seat, his happiness undisturbed by the commotion of the market traffic.

Portrait of Uzo, an auto spare parts dealer in Ladipo.

The iconic Mercedes G-Wagon fro...to spare parts trade at Ladipo.

The iconic Mercedes G-Wagon front grille on display, blending luxury design with the vibrant energy of the auto spare parts trade at Ladipo.

A second-hand side mirror trade...ing stories from vehicles past.

A second-hand side mirror trader sits at his shop, surrounded by an array of mirrors, each holding stories from vehicles past.

A team at the warehouse transfe... power the next phase of trade.

A team at the warehouse transfers a car engine onto a trolley, freshly unloaded from a newly arrived shipping container and ready to power the next phase of trade.

In a dynamic cycle of motion, w...ng a constant flow of activity.

In a dynamic cycle of motion, workers tirelessly transport auto spare parts from delivery trucks to warehouses, from warehouses to shops and from shops to eager customers. Creating a constant flow of activity.

Seated in front of his shop, a ...dy to power their next journey.

Seated in front of his shop, a Toyota engine trader waits for customers, ready to power their next journey.

A young man carries a set of ca...gy of the day’s work.

A young man carries a set of car radiators, embracing the hustle and energy of the day’s work.

A man hawks a painting of The L...d commerce in Nigerian society.

A man hawks a painting of The Last Supper in the vibrant market, symbolising the intersection of religion and commerce in Nigerian society.

A second-hand side mirror stall in Ladipo Market.

A vulcanizer navigates the live...es with purpose and resilience.

A vulcanizer navigates the lively market, carrying two tires with purpose and resilience.

A fan belt and plastic rim cove...ey components for smooth rides.

A fan belt and plastic rim cover trader tends to his stall, providing key components for smooth rides.

A cart pusher en route to deliv... link in the chain of commerce.

A cart pusher en route to deliver a car engine. Providing logistics, a vital link in the chain of commerce.

A mechanic dismantles a drum br... new purpose in the auto trade.

A mechanic dismantles a drum brake set, preparing the components for resale. Ensuring each piece finds a new purpose in the auto trade.

Bystanders loiter around a with...etween nature and urban growth.

Bystanders loiter around a withered tree that stands in quiet contrast to a new shopping complex. Reflecting the tension between nature and urban growth.

An upcycled vehicle crafted by ...resourcefulness and innovation.

An upcycled vehicle crafted by Ladipo mechanics stands as a testament to resourcefulness and innovation.

Used bolts, wheel spanners, and... the promise of future utility.

Used bolts, wheel spanners, and scissor jacks laid out for sale, bearing the marks of past work and the promise of future utility.

PLAY

STOP

GRID

FULL
LOVE

Thumbnail of A weathered warehouse in Ladipo _ills over with auto spare parts.

Thumbnail of A trader sits in the shade at hi_story of commerce and community.

Thumbnail of A boy relaxed on a detached car _commotion of the market traffic.

Thumbnail of Portrait of Uzo, an auto spare parts dealer in Ladipo.

Thumbnail of The iconic Mercedes G-Wagon fron_uto spare parts trade at Ladipo.

Thumbnail of A second-hand side mirror trader_ding stories from vehicles past.

Thumbnail of A team at the warehouse transfer_o power the next phase of trade.

Thumbnail of In a dynamic cycle of motion, wo_ing a constant flow of activity.

Thumbnail of Seated in front of his shop, a T_ady to power their next journey.

Thumbnail of A young man carries a set of car_rgy of the day’s work.

Thumbnail of A man hawks a painting of The La_nd commerce in Nigerian society.

Thumbnail of A second-hand side mirror stall in Ladipo Market.

Thumbnail of A vulcanizer navigates the livel_res with purpose and resilience.

Thumbnail of A fan belt and plastic rim cover_key components for smooth rides.

Thumbnail of A cart pusher en route to delive_l link in the chain of commerce.

Thumbnail of A mechanic dismantles a drum bra_a new purpose in the auto trade.

Thumbnail of Bystanders loiter around a withe_between nature and urban growth.

Thumbnail of An upcycled vehicle crafted by L_ resourcefulness and innovation.

Thumbnail of Used bolts, wheel spanners, and _d the promise of future utility.

Public Project

Ladipo: Gods of Machines

Updated Mar 2025

Location Lagos, Nigeria

Topics Africa, Automobile, Car Industry, Community, Culture, Documentary, Environment, Industrial, Personal Projects, Photography, Photojournalism, Reportage, Tech

LADIPO: GODS OF MACHINES is a photo documentary project that depicts the audacity, resourcefulness, creativity and craftsmanship ofpeople carving out opportunities and realities at Ladipo Auto Spare Parts Market. It is reckoned to be the biggest spare parts market in West Africa. Whether escaping the precept of poverty or building an enterprise, the traders and mechanics in Ladipo are all pursuing avenues toward a more self determined future.

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