Staying in Nigeria
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Staying in Nigeria
Hello everybody!
My company is sending some crews to Nigeria for 4 weeks, including me. From some researches I've done and from the 1000 stories I've heard so far it's gonna be quite dangerous, especially in this period for some kind of war going on, and for the mosquitos of malaria.
I have to go anyway, so I will really appreciate any suggestion, experience, story and everything else that can help having a safe flying and a safe staying there.
Thanks a lot!
My company is sending some crews to Nigeria for 4 weeks, including me. From some researches I've done and from the 1000 stories I've heard so far it's gonna be quite dangerous, especially in this period for some kind of war going on, and for the mosquitos of malaria.
I have to go anyway, so I will really appreciate any suggestion, experience, story and everything else that can help having a safe flying and a safe staying there.
Thanks a lot!
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OMG...
CFM56-7B,
nigeria is as cool as any other country in sub saharan africa...
as a matter of fact if u'v lived in the USA then u'l av an idea of wot it is to stay in nigeria!
i know i'l get a lotta condemnations from dis post but i'v about had it up to here
with all this talk about nigeria's unsafety n all what not!
obviously n unfortuinately, u'v been gettin travel info about nigeria frm anti nigerian propaganda sites (n i'm beginnin to believe that they exist!)
my point is, nigeria is not as bad as portyrayed in the west....
visit the country and dont forget to write about its good people, culture and hospiltality.
have a good one!
nigeria is as cool as any other country in sub saharan africa...
as a matter of fact if u'v lived in the USA then u'l av an idea of wot it is to stay in nigeria!
i know i'l get a lotta condemnations from dis post but i'v about had it up to here
with all this talk about nigeria's unsafety n all what not!obviously n unfortuinately, u'v been gettin travel info about nigeria frm anti nigerian propaganda sites (n i'm beginnin to believe that they exist!)
my point is, nigeria is not as bad as portyrayed in the west....
visit the country and dont forget to write about its good people, culture and hospiltality.
have a good one!
Pls do little research on the forum b/4 asking about "things" in Nigeria.For some unknown reason Any opinion about Nigeria on this Forum brings out some very very interesting post.Some true and some are not. Nigeria is like any other country why it gets so much attention is because of the "Oil". there are a lot of great people, there are also bad one's. there are nice places are are bad one's too. But remember whatever u read about Nigeria on this Forum take it with a pinch of salt Both the Good or the Bad. The Best advice is "Come see why they Don't want to see us.
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Don't ask here...
Go to the travel advisories from the U.S. and U.K. governments and have a read.
Just look at the style of the posts above and ask yourself, "Do these guys have both oars in the water?"
Go, and enjoy it but just don't get all giddy with over-confidence when you aren't attacked by spear-waving natives on the way to town from the airport so that you assume all of what you can read is just scare stories put about by racists. For instance, the average Nigerian male is 47 years old at time of death. That is a pure fact, not an opinion!
Just look at the style of the posts above and ask yourself, "Do these guys have both oars in the water?"
Go, and enjoy it but just don't get all giddy with over-confidence when you aren't attacked by spear-waving natives on the way to town from the airport so that you assume all of what you can read is just scare stories put about by racists. For instance, the average Nigerian male is 47 years old at time of death. That is a pure fact, not an opinion!
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Nigeria - never been!!!
Nigeria - never been!!! 
No a few who have and for various reasons
they prefer it to the 'sand pits'
Try this link for updated Expat info
::
yibosOnLine:::The Expat's Guide To Nigeria:::
PZU - Out of Africa (retired)
No a few who have and for various reasons
they prefer it to the 'sand pits'Try this link for updated Expat info
::
yibosOnLine:::The Expat's Guide To Nigeria:::PZU - Out of Africa (retired)
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nigeria is ok, just gotta be sensible about your stay there just as in any african country ie. food, malaria, transport, safety, security and atc... etc etc.... most of the time a bit of patience also sees you through!
i have had many happy uneventful stays in nigeria! not going to be a tourist there though very soon... couldnt find anything with lonely planet on nigeria....
i can vouch for almost all the big centres, except for lagos as i have not operated in and out of there!
i have had many happy uneventful stays in nigeria! not going to be a tourist there though very soon... couldnt find anything with lonely planet on nigeria....
i can vouch for almost all the big centres, except for lagos as i have not operated in and out of there!
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"the average Nigerian male is 47 years old at time of death"
That's because they eat Nigerian Pepper soup
"Lagos, the centre of excellence"!!
Well, if that is the centre of excellence, God help us all
Every single visit I have been told by the hotel reception in the Sheraton, not to venture out of the hotel especially at night. Now, I am no stranger to Africa having lived there for quite a portion of my life but I do heed their advice.....
That's because they eat Nigerian Pepper soup
"Lagos, the centre of excellence"!!
Well, if that is the centre of excellence, God help us all
Every single visit I have been told by the hotel reception in the Sheraton, not to venture out of the hotel especially at night. Now, I am no stranger to Africa having lived there for quite a portion of my life but I do heed their advice.....
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I have been there a number of times and have to say that it was a "life-changing" experience as it's made me appreciate things back home alot more.
The people I met were very polite, warm and friendly and most wear their hearts on their sleeves.
Take care and listen to the security tips and make sure you don't get "ripped-off"
The people I met were very polite, warm and friendly and most wear their hearts on their sleeves.
Take care and listen to the security tips and make sure you don't get "ripped-off"
Join Date: Oct 2006
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CFM56
May I suggest you contact one Capt. Ed Boyo @ [email protected].
Ed owns Landover Nigeria and is also the Regional Lead for Africa on the NBAA Int'l Operators Committee (National Business Aviation Association, Inc. check committees then IOC). Check out his operation @ Landover Company Limited - Offering intelligent aviation solutions.
Just watch out for the 7.5% ABV local Guinness, tastes very nice, but 'tis brain hurtz territory.
Ed owns Landover Nigeria and is also the Regional Lead for Africa on the NBAA Int'l Operators Committee (National Business Aviation Association, Inc. check committees then IOC). Check out his operation @ Landover Company Limited - Offering intelligent aviation solutions.
Just watch out for the 7.5% ABV local Guinness, tastes very nice, but 'tis brain hurtz territory.
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Safe place in Nigeria...?
The only safe place one I know is Abuja Sheraton or Hilton.
Abuja is the capital city. Spent a week there, was ok.
xxx
No thanks for Kano, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Sokoto, Maduguri and Kaduna.
The coastal area is extremely dangerous right now.
You got a AK-47 or a FAL...?
Besides all that, Nigeria and Rep. Dem. Congo compete for nš 1 on AIDS statistics.
xxx
Nigerian AF are Mosquito Squadrons... not the ones build by De Havilland.
Chief Kabo never paid me the last $10,000 owed for a Hajj Contract.
Happy contrails, like our friend said, after V1 on the runway in Lagos.
Abuja is the capital city. Spent a week there, was ok.
xxx
No thanks for Kano, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Sokoto, Maduguri and Kaduna.
The coastal area is extremely dangerous right now.
You got a AK-47 or a FAL...?
Besides all that, Nigeria and Rep. Dem. Congo compete for nš 1 on AIDS statistics.
xxx
Nigerian AF are Mosquito Squadrons... not the ones build by De Havilland.
Chief Kabo never paid me the last $10,000 owed for a Hajj Contract.
Happy contrails, like our friend said, after V1 on the runway in Lagos.
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First of all, what part of Nigeria are you going to? In general you will be okay. No, life in Nigeria as a whole cannot be compared to that of say U.K or Canada etc, but at the same time they aren't sending you to Baghdad or Kabul.But for 4 weeks, with 3 other co-workers you'll survive. With regards to malaria, just visit your primary care physician and s/he can give you a prescription for anti-malaria drugs. There are some on the market you take as little as once a week.
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you nothing to worry about
Dude, Nigieria is a great country, you have to go there to see for yourself. a lot is said about how Nigeria is this and that but come on, there is no country in the world that does not have its ups and downs, Nigeria is no different. I believe whenever you do go and get back to your country, we will be seeing you in Nigeria again. Enjoy your stay in Nigeria. I know you will.
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Like everywhere else you need to be sensible. I spent 3 years in LOS and never had a problem. Get a good local driver and use his local knowledge, I am guessing you areheading for Lagos, if so try to get accomodation on Victoria Island (VI) if not stay local to the Airport in Ikeja (GRA). Lagos can be a great experience, people are friendly however as in every country there are bandits who will rob you blind. Ignore most comments on here ref Lagos, as they are made by people who have either never ventured outside of the Sheraton or have neve been to Nigeria at all
PM me if you want more info
PM me if you want more info
The "problem" with Nigeria is that it is a very densely populated country, and the first part of the country that you will see when you arrive is Lagos, which is one of the most densely populated cities on this earth.
In those two respects, the country is really no different from other countries/cities that have huge, tightly packed populations - think of New York, Los Angeles, Paris, etc. They are all a bit overwhelming until you get used to the lay of the land and the local customs. What tends to make things a bit worse (for expats) in Nigeria is that unless we are of African ancestry, we stick out like a sore thumb. If any one of us went walking around in New York, LA, or Paris wearing a T-shirt that said "tourist" on the front and back in 12 inch high letters, well, it would feel like Nigeria.
In those two respects, the country is really no different from other countries/cities that have huge, tightly packed populations - think of New York, Los Angeles, Paris, etc. They are all a bit overwhelming until you get used to the lay of the land and the local customs. What tends to make things a bit worse (for expats) in Nigeria is that unless we are of African ancestry, we stick out like a sore thumb. If any one of us went walking around in New York, LA, or Paris wearing a T-shirt that said "tourist" on the front and back in 12 inch high letters, well, it would feel like Nigeria.
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I worked in Nigeria for nearly 7 years and can honestly hold up my hand and say that the Nigerians treated me just fine, thank you.
My fellow workers on the other hand..........
Seriously though, don't flash your money around, don't get into any "investments", stay out of the "dark side", don't go wandering around at night........ you know, all the things you would do anywhere else.
Nigeria is no different from any other African country in as much as keeping your wits and being sensible.
Gulder & Star the local beers and they can bite!!
My fellow workers on the other hand..........
Seriously though, don't flash your money around, don't get into any "investments", stay out of the "dark side", don't go wandering around at night........ you know, all the things you would do anywhere else.
Nigeria is no different from any other African country in as much as keeping your wits and being sensible.
Gulder & Star the local beers and they can bite!!
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In those two respects, the country is really no different from other countries/cities that have huge, tightly packed populations - think of New York, Los Angeles, Paris, etc. They are all a bit overwhelming until you get used to the lay of the land and the local customs. What tends to make things a bit worse (for expats) in Nigeria is that unless we are of African ancestry, we stick out like a sore thumb.
I'm sure that the majority of Nigerians are very pleasant and hospitable, it's just that there is a small but significant number who will look to scam or rob the obvious targets (for which 'white man' = obvious).
I'm sure that with time (which most of us don't have, ie 24hr slips as crew are it) that local customs become ingrained, and that the help of a local driver in the first weeks or so is highly desirable/essential.
The Ikeja Sheraton has improved considerably over the last 10 years, and (barring the frequent power cuts) is not dissimilar to many western hotels once in the rooms.
My overriding thought though, is that as a white person you will be a target and be very aware and cautious, even if that means getting ripped off by the hotel with their extortionate prices.
Just one last thought...on getting onto the crew transport with a 'security' guard, his welcome speech was/is words to the effect..
" hello, welcome, you are safe now .... I am a man"
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If the country of your nationality has an Embassy there register with it.
Don't venture out after dark or indeed unless it is really neccessary and remove all jewellry, watches etc. before you do. Remember life is cheap in Africa.
Most people there are genuinely friendly which makes spotting the no-gooders more difficult. Be curteous but remain suspicious.
Best andidote to Malaria is not to get bitten, take anti-mosi spray, a few cloves of garlic and a mosi net if your intended accommodation does not supply them. One section of raw garlic swallowed mid afternoon will provide a good defense, it has a chemical which when expelled throughthe skin pore in seat is effective against mosi's.
Steer clear of the local gals, instead use your hand.
Otherwise it's not unlike the rest of Africa
Don't venture out after dark or indeed unless it is really neccessary and remove all jewellry, watches etc. before you do. Remember life is cheap in Africa.
Most people there are genuinely friendly which makes spotting the no-gooders more difficult. Be curteous but remain suspicious.
Best andidote to Malaria is not to get bitten, take anti-mosi spray, a few cloves of garlic and a mosi net if your intended accommodation does not supply them. One section of raw garlic swallowed mid afternoon will provide a good defense, it has a chemical which when expelled throughthe skin pore in seat is effective against mosi's.
Steer clear of the local gals, instead use your hand.
Otherwise it's not unlike the rest of Africa
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Remember life is cheap in Africa.
Remember life is cheap in Africa.
This is wrong of U.
In the UK, stabbing is a regular thing; is life expensive there.
we have bad Leadership in Naija does not make it what you say it is.
We arevvery friendly people, can a black boy seat among the punks in a train in UK.
Whites go around unmoested in LOS; ask everyone who ave visited.
U are surprsed the kind of places you see white boys; they are never stabbed.
Please give me an example; stop this negative propaganda.
This is wrong of U.
In the UK, stabbing is a regular thing; is life expensive there.
we have bad Leadership in Naija does not make it what you say it is.
We arevvery friendly people, can a black boy seat among the punks in a train in UK.
Whites go around unmoested in LOS; ask everyone who ave visited.
U are surprsed the kind of places you see white boys; they are never stabbed.
Please give me an example; stop this negative propaganda.