Lagos, Nigeria - anybody been there
Discussion
No "Africa" sub-forum on PH, so as I know that the boys and gals in the ME section are well traveled, thought I would ask here.
So, anybody had the opportunity to go to Lagos, Nigeria? If so, whats it like, blah, blah, blah.
And before you say "its Africa", I too have lived in "Africa", South Africa to be exact for 13 years, so I know "Africa"
Just would like to get some thoughts on it.
Thanks
So, anybody had the opportunity to go to Lagos, Nigeria? If so, whats it like, blah, blah, blah.
And before you say "its Africa", I too have lived in "Africa", South Africa to be exact for 13 years, so I know "Africa"
Just would like to get some thoughts on it.
Thanks
I have an ex-colleague from here who I still see occasionally who has worked out there on and off for two years now. His view is that if you stay on your toes (and have some experience of living outside the developed world) there is no reason why anything bad should happen.
Like he said; any huge city with masses of poor people is going to bring issues - you just have to be sensible/cautious.
And SA is not 'Africa'...'Africa-lite' perhaps - and that comes from someone who grew up in Zim!
Like he said; any huge city with masses of poor people is going to bring issues - you just have to be sensible/cautious.
And SA is not 'Africa'...'Africa-lite' perhaps - and that comes from someone who grew up in Zim!
I travel through Lagos twice a month between going/coming from offshore. not any sights worth seeing and it really is quite a depressing place however there is a large expact community who tend to reside on Victoria Island just outside Lagos.
Check out the expat forum oyibosonline.com for more information from those who actually reside there. the site isnt too active but it should give you a more accurate and better feel for the place than I can.
Ged
Check out the expat forum oyibosonline.com for more information from those who actually reside there. the site isnt too active but it should give you a more accurate and better feel for the place than I can.
Ged
Lagos is made out to be much worse than it is. I did 18 months between there and Port Harcourt and enjoyed most of it. You grow a set of blinkers which stop you getting bothered by the incredible poverty and squalor that most people live in. I was there during elections so it got a bit dodgy on the streets back and fore to work but the majority of the time i didnt feel threatened.
Going out at night was an experience but mostly a good laugh and I never really saw much trouble apart from bouncers and beggers not getting enough dash off some p*ssed expat. We used to get stopped in taxis by some bunch of blokes in uniforms who would take a few Naira off you and then send you on your way but it was pennies they wanted.
I found the folk I dealt with on a daily basis to be nice enough and good fun. You always have to remember that they have very little wealth to go around the masses of people so they will try and make money any way they can.
cheers,
Going out at night was an experience but mostly a good laugh and I never really saw much trouble apart from bouncers and beggers not getting enough dash off some p*ssed expat. We used to get stopped in taxis by some bunch of blokes in uniforms who would take a few Naira off you and then send you on your way but it was pennies they wanted.
I found the folk I dealt with on a daily basis to be nice enough and good fun. You always have to remember that they have very little wealth to go around the masses of people so they will try and make money any way they can.
cheers,
I have spent plenty of time in Angola, Gabon, Namibia, etc and Mrs oilydan has been to Nigeria a couple of times.
Wouldn't want to live there, regardless of blocking out the poverty etc you cannot get away from the dirt....filth.... just everywhere is rubbish, even in our staff houses you had to work 100% of the time to try and instill a bit of hygiene into the staff (including chef!). If I lived there for any period I'm quite sure I would die younger.
Wouldn't want to live there, regardless of blocking out the poverty etc you cannot get away from the dirt....filth.... just everywhere is rubbish, even in our staff houses you had to work 100% of the time to try and instill a bit of hygiene into the staff (including chef!). If I lived there for any period I'm quite sure I would die younger.
I was there a couple of years ago and took part in their independance celebrations. It's not a place I would go back to, very dirty, moderately dangerous and a lot of poverty and squalor. There is a fairly large expat community who kindly invited us to a reception at the yacht club although I have to say it felt as I would imagine a 70s wife swapping party would be - they were all flirting with each other and quite a few obviously knew each other very well! All a bit odd. They were also all pissed as they all travel everywhere in the back of their cars driven around by armed chauffeurs; the club was in a secure compound, patrolled by armed guards. Everyone that I spoke to had either been robbed or beaten up or knew another expat that had. Getting shot seemed to be seen aa a potential occupational hazard!
We also spent some time at the Federal Palace Hotel which was nearly very nice! It was all done to a high standard and the lunchtime buffet was superb but, I suppose like a lot of African hotels, the quality isn't of the same standards as some other countries - things like a lot of sharp edges around the pool, bathrooms fitting that don't quite drain properly, beautiful grounds not quite finished etc.
If you have to go I'm sure you'll find it interesting for a short time but if you don't have to go I wouldn't bother.
We also spent some time at the Federal Palace Hotel which was nearly very nice! It was all done to a high standard and the lunchtime buffet was superb but, I suppose like a lot of African hotels, the quality isn't of the same standards as some other countries - things like a lot of sharp edges around the pool, bathrooms fitting that don't quite drain properly, beautiful grounds not quite finished etc.
If you have to go I'm sure you'll find it interesting for a short time but if you don't have to go I wouldn't bother.
Cheers for all the comments and feedback.
I have spoken to one of the Directors of the "potential" Company and will be weighing up the options. Also have spoken to a few others who have been or had friends who have been - 50/50 reviews overall.
Anyways, once again, thanks for the replies, appreciated.
I have spoken to one of the Directors of the "potential" Company and will be weighing up the options. Also have spoken to a few others who have been or had friends who have been - 50/50 reviews overall.
Anyways, once again, thanks for the replies, appreciated.
Mattt said:
Wasn't K50 Del out there just before Dubai, or was that Angola?
Twas Angola, many of my colleagues have spent extensive time in Nigeria.... most were positive about it, though as mentioned elsewhere you do need to have a different mindset to live pretty much anywhere in Africa.From all I've heard, I wouldn't worry about living / working there, though I think I prefer Dubai!
yorky500 said:
Cheers for all the comments and feedback.
I have spoken to one of the Directors of the "potential" Company and will be weighing up the options. Also have spoken to a few others who have been or had friends who have been - 50/50 reviews overall.
Anyways, once again, thanks for the replies, appreciated.
I mentioned this to mrs oilydan and she asked about miss yorky? going with you or cut her loose?!I have spoken to one of the Directors of the "potential" Company and will be weighing up the options. Also have spoken to a few others who have been or had friends who have been - 50/50 reviews overall.
Anyways, once again, thanks for the replies, appreciated.
Unless you want to swop her, I'm told the expat community in Nigeria are all up for a bit of swopsies...
I presently live in Nigeria (Warri) and I've been here for two years.........I visit Lagos quite frequently and would support all the above comments. Security is a small issue compared to the Northern parts of Nigeria and the Delta where I live. There are some 'decent' areas within Lagos where the expats tend to live but, be advised, for 'decent' read expensive! Just keep an open mind and watch out for nightfighters!!!!!
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