Staying safe in Nigeria
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Staying safe in Nigeria
Hi everyone:
I am considering a position in Nigeria and everyone think I am insane for even thinking about it! If one takes proper precautions such as staying inside at night , don't go anywhere alone etc., is it really that dangerous? I would be based in Lagos and residing at the Sheraton, with secured (armed guards onboard) crewbus to and from the airport. I really want to go, but looking to calm down family members with serious concerns.
Thanks.
I am considering a position in Nigeria and everyone think I am insane for even thinking about it! If one takes proper precautions such as staying inside at night , don't go anywhere alone etc., is it really that dangerous? I would be based in Lagos and residing at the Sheraton, with secured (armed guards onboard) crewbus to and from the airport. I really want to go, but looking to calm down family members with serious concerns.
Thanks.
I am considering a position in Nigeria and everyone think I am insane for even thinking about it!
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The Sheraton is fine - well run by local standards, and safe but very expensive, make sure your per diems are healthy to cover meal costs, etc. There is a small supermarket directly next door that many of the pilots use. There is a good social life within the hotel as it's usually buzzing with crews, but it can feel a bit confining. I wouldn't stay in any other hotel in Lagos. Apart from the odd power cut and the gennies kicking in, the crappy choice of stations on the TVs in the rooms, or the broadband dying (only occasional), it's liveable. Not one of the guys I know have had a problem there, and most were or are on 12 month contracts. Many of them were very cautious for the first few months, and then gradually but carefully expanded their horizons.
It really depends which airline you're working for and their level of professionalism outside of that (pm me if you want). You need block leave off and flights home so you can work hard when you're there as there ain't much else to do, and then go home on leave and chill out. I wouldn't wander around, but during daylight with an airline driver who won't dump you in the wrong place, it's fine. Once it gets dark it's a different story, and the better airlines use either their own security or private companies. Port Harcourt and the oil-producing Delta region is a different proposition altogether, and is responsible for most of the nasty stories your family will read about when you're on contract. Now they're past the elections and it didn't kick off down there, it's worth considering.
It really depends which airline you're working for and their level of professionalism outside of that (pm me if you want). You need block leave off and flights home so you can work hard when you're there as there ain't much else to do, and then go home on leave and chill out. I wouldn't wander around, but during daylight with an airline driver who won't dump you in the wrong place, it's fine. Once it gets dark it's a different story, and the better airlines use either their own security or private companies. Port Harcourt and the oil-producing Delta region is a different proposition altogether, and is responsible for most of the nasty stories your family will read about when you're on contract. Now they're past the elections and it didn't kick off down there, it's worth considering.
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Come On Over
RB,
Bear 11 is right. I've been in Nigeria on and off for nearly 30 years now and have lived in Warri, Port Harcourt and Lagos. Whilst it's undoubtedly deteriorated as far as personal security goes, there's no huge problem if you're living in the Sheraton. Many big companies have a night-time curfew at the moment, but there's plenty to do in the evening at the Sheraton, and if you have a day off you can always get to visit Victoria Island which has plenty to do. If you play golf, there are good golf courses in Lagos.
If you have to night stop in Port Harcourt, it's still okay as long as you have secure transport to and from the NAF Base, though if you have day off there you'll probably be confined to your hotel or compound as long as the present security situation exists.
In Lagos the main danger is armed robbers, particularly at night. They do shoot people, so if you are robbed, just do whatever they say and hand over everything. In Port Harcourt there are armed robbers and kidnappers. The kidnappers have so far nearly always kidnapped expatriates for ransom and they only get killed by 'mistake' such as in crossfire in a bungled rescue attempt.
I'd advise going to an excellent website for expatriates in Nigeria:
Oyibosonline
This has many articles about Lagos and Port Harcourt and if you register you can get access to their daily and real-time security updates.
If you go to Nigeria with the right attitude you can have a wonderful time. Many foreigners come over here, think everything's wrong and think they can change Nigeria - if they stay here long enough, they may have the good luck to find Nigeria has changed them! Just come over determined to enjoy yourself and learn a bit about the country. It's always hot (though now is the rainy season with almost daily thunderstorms), the people are friendly and welcoming, provided you are friendly and welcoming to them. Although Nigeria has a poor aviation support structure, there are a number of good aviation companies with standards as high as any in Europe or North America. All foreign aviation companies, by law, are required to have a Nigerian partner. Be careful if your employer is wholly Nigerian with no foreign partner as in my experience this is often a problem.
It's a good idea to take your laptop, a few paperbacks and MP3 player to help pass the time. The Sheraton has wifi internet. If you have a mobile phone take that and buy a Nigerian sim card for it. If not, it's easy to buy a cheap mobile phone in Nigeria. The sim cards and credit top-ups are readily available from the roadsides, though the networks are generally congested with a connection success rate of only about 30% in the evening. The Sheraton has several bars with international beers, though you should try the 2 major local beers, Star and Gulder at some time. Drinks are expensive in the Sheraton, but there's the Oasis supermarket next door where you can always get some wine or spirits to keep in your room.
If you want more info, feel free to PM me. But if I were you, I'd come on over
Bear 11 is right. I've been in Nigeria on and off for nearly 30 years now and have lived in Warri, Port Harcourt and Lagos. Whilst it's undoubtedly deteriorated as far as personal security goes, there's no huge problem if you're living in the Sheraton. Many big companies have a night-time curfew at the moment, but there's plenty to do in the evening at the Sheraton, and if you have a day off you can always get to visit Victoria Island which has plenty to do. If you play golf, there are good golf courses in Lagos.
If you have to night stop in Port Harcourt, it's still okay as long as you have secure transport to and from the NAF Base, though if you have day off there you'll probably be confined to your hotel or compound as long as the present security situation exists.
In Lagos the main danger is armed robbers, particularly at night. They do shoot people, so if you are robbed, just do whatever they say and hand over everything. In Port Harcourt there are armed robbers and kidnappers. The kidnappers have so far nearly always kidnapped expatriates for ransom and they only get killed by 'mistake' such as in crossfire in a bungled rescue attempt.
I'd advise going to an excellent website for expatriates in Nigeria:
Oyibosonline
This has many articles about Lagos and Port Harcourt and if you register you can get access to their daily and real-time security updates.
If you go to Nigeria with the right attitude you can have a wonderful time. Many foreigners come over here, think everything's wrong and think they can change Nigeria - if they stay here long enough, they may have the good luck to find Nigeria has changed them! Just come over determined to enjoy yourself and learn a bit about the country. It's always hot (though now is the rainy season with almost daily thunderstorms), the people are friendly and welcoming, provided you are friendly and welcoming to them. Although Nigeria has a poor aviation support structure, there are a number of good aviation companies with standards as high as any in Europe or North America. All foreign aviation companies, by law, are required to have a Nigerian partner. Be careful if your employer is wholly Nigerian with no foreign partner as in my experience this is often a problem.
It's a good idea to take your laptop, a few paperbacks and MP3 player to help pass the time. The Sheraton has wifi internet. If you have a mobile phone take that and buy a Nigerian sim card for it. If not, it's easy to buy a cheap mobile phone in Nigeria. The sim cards and credit top-ups are readily available from the roadsides, though the networks are generally congested with a connection success rate of only about 30% in the evening. The Sheraton has several bars with international beers, though you should try the 2 major local beers, Star and Gulder at some time. Drinks are expensive in the Sheraton, but there's the Oasis supermarket next door where you can always get some wine or spirits to keep in your room.
If you want more info, feel free to PM me. But if I were you, I'd come on over
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Just out of interest - as I was considering Virgin Nigeria - there seems to be so many contradictions?
The people are warm and welcoming - but don't go out because they will kidnap or rob you!
Nigeria is a great place - but there are curfews in place and you can't go out safely to experience it!
When was the last time you travelled from an hotel to the airport with armed guards?!
Reality check required I think?!
Sometimes you have to consider that if the question needs to be asked,
then the answer must be self-evident.
SITW
The people are warm and welcoming - but don't go out because they will kidnap or rob you!
Nigeria is a great place - but there are curfews in place and you can't go out safely to experience it!
When was the last time you travelled from an hotel to the airport with armed guards?!
Reality check required I think?!
Sometimes you have to consider that if the question needs to be asked,
then the answer must be self-evident.
SITW
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spannerinthewerks,
No reality check required. I see that in your profile you're from Manchester. There are some very nice parts of Manchester and some nice welcoming people. The same goes for Miami and many another big city. However, there are parts of those cities which are pretty scary and dangerous at night - you should see some of the people I had to deal with when flying for Manchester Police Air Support Unit
.
So, if you're considering VK, I'd say come on over. Most of the people are nice, friendly and welcoming and the antics of a minority of gangsters shouldn't be enough to scare you off.
No reality check required. I see that in your profile you're from Manchester. There are some very nice parts of Manchester and some nice welcoming people. The same goes for Miami and many another big city. However, there are parts of those cities which are pretty scary and dangerous at night - you should see some of the people I had to deal with when flying for Manchester Police Air Support Unit
.So, if you're considering VK, I'd say come on over. Most of the people are nice, friendly and welcoming and the antics of a minority of gangsters shouldn't be enough to scare you off.
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staying in Nigeria
Nigeria has its good and bad places like any other country. u just have to stay out of the slums and stick to respectable places. wish you all the best.
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Here's your reality check :
The huge majority of the people are warm and welcoming - but don't go out because there is a small criminal element and should you be unfortunate enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time they will kidnap or rob you!
Nigeria is a great place - but there are curfews in place and you can't go out to certain places safely to experience it!
When was the last time you travelled from an hotel to the airport with armed guards?! If you take that argument to its conclusion you might as well drive with your eyes closed
Reality check required I think?!
The above applies to many places that have a bad reputation. South Africa and Colombia come to mind. All these countries have high crime level and security issues. If you want to be 100% safe, stay away and go the Falklands ..... on second thoughts, someone did that in 1978 .....
The huge majority of the people are warm and welcoming - but don't go out because there is a small criminal element and should you be unfortunate enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time they will kidnap or rob you!
Nigeria is a great place - but there are curfews in place and you can't go out to certain places safely to experience it!
When was the last time you travelled from an hotel to the airport with armed guards?! If you take that argument to its conclusion you might as well drive with your eyes closed
Reality check required I think?!
The above applies to many places that have a bad reputation. South Africa and Colombia come to mind. All these countries have high crime level and security issues. If you want to be 100% safe, stay away and go the Falklands ..... on second thoughts, someone did that in 1978 .....
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This will probably not sound too good, but here is a piece of text from the www.iol.co.za website:
By Tume Ahemba
QOUTE: Nigerian gunmen kidnapped six foreigners and shot dead a local driver in a dawn attack on a residential compound of a Russian aluminium company in the south-eastern town of Ikot Abasi, the firm said on Sunday.
The latest kidnappings take to 30 the number of foreigners being held by different armed groups in the lawless southern delta where the kidnapping of expatriates has become almost a daily occurrence.
A local official said the kidnapped men included three Russians and two South Africans, but the United Company RUSAL said their nationalities were being verified.
The men were working at the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), which is controlled by RUSAL, the world's largest aluminium producer. :UNQOUTE
As with all, take the above in context, and review your real and perceived risk. Agree with previous posts, most people are friendly, try to keep running into those and avoid the other!
Good luck!!
By Tume Ahemba
QOUTE: Nigerian gunmen kidnapped six foreigners and shot dead a local driver in a dawn attack on a residential compound of a Russian aluminium company in the south-eastern town of Ikot Abasi, the firm said on Sunday.
The latest kidnappings take to 30 the number of foreigners being held by different armed groups in the lawless southern delta where the kidnapping of expatriates has become almost a daily occurrence.
A local official said the kidnapped men included three Russians and two South Africans, but the United Company RUSAL said their nationalities were being verified.
The men were working at the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), which is controlled by RUSAL, the world's largest aluminium producer. :UNQOUTE
As with all, take the above in context, and review your real and perceived risk. Agree with previous posts, most people are friendly, try to keep running into those and avoid the other!
Good luck!!
