How is life in Nigeria?
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Join Date: Aug 2011
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How is life in Nigeria?
Hi there!!!
Im from Itlay,I have the opportunity to go there for a very good offer and I don't know anything about the country and lifestyle there,if it's dangerous or not and which is the best way to assess this opportunity.
Since I'd like to be paid in Euros,should I give them an Italian account or is possible to open a Nigerian account for a foreigner???
What I should ask or request them??
Transportation to the airport is safe or otherwise is a serious risk like in other countries in Africa???
Everything you could tell me or suggest me will be wellcome !!!!
Cheers!!
Im from Itlay,I have the opportunity to go there for a very good offer and I don't know anything about the country and lifestyle there,if it's dangerous or not and which is the best way to assess this opportunity.
Since I'd like to be paid in Euros,should I give them an Italian account or is possible to open a Nigerian account for a foreigner???
What I should ask or request them??
Transportation to the airport is safe or otherwise is a serious risk like in other countries in Africa???
Everything you could tell me or suggest me will be wellcome !!!!
Cheers!!
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I think you should give them an Italian account, in fact, better still, you could publish the details here along with any pin-codes required to access it etc. 
With your "deep" knowledge of Nigeria, do you think you are best placed to judge how "good" this offer is, and for whom it may be "good" ? or indeed really best qualified to go there ?
The UK embassy gives extensive travel advice on its website for every country, perhaps the Italian one does too ? if not you could & indeed SHOULD read what is written on the UK one before jumping to a decision.
With your "deep" knowledge of Nigeria, do you think you are best placed to judge how "good" this offer is, and for whom it may be "good" ? or indeed really best qualified to go there ?
The UK embassy gives extensive travel advice on its website for every country, perhaps the Italian one does too ? if not you could & indeed SHOULD read what is written on the UK one before jumping to a decision.
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Why would you come on here to ask about a country ? go and read up on factual current information and travel advice from reliable sources.
If your stupid enough to come on an anonymous forum and ask people then ok i`ll tell you....its paradise its the safest cleanest place on earth....no diseases no crime the best infrastructure no corruption etc etc take your wife and your kids with you they`ll love it and you`ll improve your life style and living conditions compared to on the brink of bankrupt old Italy over night..well done this offer you have is defo one not to be missed...and as for banking yes get a local account...you`ll feel safe popping down to the local ATM in the evening to withdraw some money....
If your stupid enough to come on an anonymous forum and ask people then ok i`ll tell you....its paradise its the safest cleanest place on earth....no diseases no crime the best infrastructure no corruption etc etc take your wife and your kids with you they`ll love it and you`ll improve your life style and living conditions compared to on the brink of bankrupt old Italy over night..well done this offer you have is defo one not to be missed...and as for banking yes get a local account...you`ll feel safe popping down to the local ATM in the evening to withdraw some money....
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Thanks guys for your help and sugestions!!
The offer is a good one!!private aviation ,Abuja or Lagos base and good salary....
The reason to ask in this forum about the country is simple,it is easier find someone working in aviation business and living in Nigeria here than at any other normal forum about tourist trips,isn't it??
Thanks anyway!!!!
Cheers!!
The offer is a good one!!private aviation ,Abuja or Lagos base and good salary....
The reason to ask in this forum about the country is simple,it is easier find someone working in aviation business and living in Nigeria here than at any other normal forum about tourist trips,isn't it??
Thanks anyway!!!!
Cheers!!
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Those Nigerian's are going to see you coming from a long way off. Best you do a bit more research about that place before you go there. Posting here is not going to help much. Get the proper facts yourself. Basically though all those nasty facts that you will find on the UK embassy website {and lots of other countries websites} are pretty much all true. In fact it is often worse. I have operated in Africa all of my career and Nigeria is definitely one of the worst places for all sorts of reasons. The main problem with Nigeria though is the Nigerians them selves. Honesty is not big there and as a naive foreigner you will most likely be taken for a very long ride. Good luck and enjoy!
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GIVAT....
There have been quite a few similar questions here on pprune over the years....Suggest you do a search....
If you're desperate / unemployed / need to make some money quickly, then Nigeria is an option to consider - but think very, very, very carefully and then check everything about your employer and contract very, very, very, very carefully....
I've been here on-and-off almost seven years but I don't live here and never would, although I do know some Europeans who have been here almost 15 years or more....For me, it's just our base and I never spend even 20 minutes here more than I need to....
Trying to live in Lagos is just about as bad as it gets anywhere in the world that I've visited for work or pleasure.....Abuja, on the other hand, can be tolerable if you're provided with good hotac or good standard ex-pat acommodation in the diplomatic area around Asokoro....
And bank account ?? Absolutely not - you need to be paid offshore and live on cash advances from your employer !! And don't, under any circumstances, sign a local contract with anyone and not even with with a Nigerian owned company registered outside of Nigeria....Not ALL Nigerians can't be trusted, but honesty is something not really applicable to a huge percentage of ALL the nationalities doing business here as contacts + dash = whatever is needed....
Good luck - down here you need it way above ability, enthusiasm, etc, etc....
There have been quite a few similar questions here on pprune over the years....Suggest you do a search....
If you're desperate / unemployed / need to make some money quickly, then Nigeria is an option to consider - but think very, very, very carefully and then check everything about your employer and contract very, very, very, very carefully....
I've been here on-and-off almost seven years but I don't live here and never would, although I do know some Europeans who have been here almost 15 years or more....For me, it's just our base and I never spend even 20 minutes here more than I need to....
Trying to live in Lagos is just about as bad as it gets anywhere in the world that I've visited for work or pleasure.....Abuja, on the other hand, can be tolerable if you're provided with good hotac or good standard ex-pat acommodation in the diplomatic area around Asokoro....
And bank account ?? Absolutely not - you need to be paid offshore and live on cash advances from your employer !! And don't, under any circumstances, sign a local contract with anyone and not even with with a Nigerian owned company registered outside of Nigeria....Not ALL Nigerians can't be trusted, but honesty is something not really applicable to a huge percentage of ALL the nationalities doing business here as contacts + dash = whatever is needed....
Good luck - down here you need it way above ability, enthusiasm, etc, etc....
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Tough Place
Nigeria is not for the beginner. I am talking about the Africa experience. There are lots of amazing places and people in Nigeria, but life is different. You have to know someone that is a local and that you can trust with your life, literally. And that simply takes time to develop. Very similar to all developing countries, but Nigeria is in a class of its own. They are very passionate about what they believe and you have to stay away from any direct conversations concerning religion and politics. If you have any prejudice about race or religion simply stay away.
Abuja and Lagos are both overcrowded and crazy busy and everything is dirty. Abuja is very expensive unless you are comfortable with the native foods and people. There is very little outside entertainment except for the bars and the beer, which are both quite good if you maintain your composure.
You have to decide for yourself if a deal is right for you or not. Everyone has their own reasons for liking or despising Africa, me personally I love it. But if you don't keep your wits about you, there will be nothing left when you leave. Protect yourself at all times personally and in business. Be prepared to not get paid what you are promised. If you can live with that, then go for it! Try it out but just be on your toes.
Abuja and Lagos are both overcrowded and crazy busy and everything is dirty. Abuja is very expensive unless you are comfortable with the native foods and people. There is very little outside entertainment except for the bars and the beer, which are both quite good if you maintain your composure.
You have to decide for yourself if a deal is right for you or not. Everyone has their own reasons for liking or despising Africa, me personally I love it. But if you don't keep your wits about you, there will be nothing left when you leave. Protect yourself at all times personally and in business. Be prepared to not get paid what you are promised. If you can live with that, then go for it! Try it out but just be on your toes.
Very tough place for Nigerians, let alone expat, like everyone else mentions do proper homework before coming over and only if you are really desperate. Any too good to be true offer from Nigeria should be taken with a long spoon. cheers
Milan v Lagos/Abuja.....not in the same sentence!
If things are that bad in Milan think seriously about heading for Nigeria. Double and Triple check the small print with your job offer and always keep eyes in the back of your head when moving around the country. Nigeria is one of the most corrupt countries I've ever been to (and I've been to a few), the higher up the establishment a Nigerian gets, the more corrupt they appear to become.
If you have a family, don't bother. The constant security worries a wife and children will have to endure, coupled with enormous boredom, will scupper your chances of a normal, happy life.
At the end of the day, it's your choice, I hope you make the right one!
If things are that bad in Milan think seriously about heading for Nigeria. Double and Triple check the small print with your job offer and always keep eyes in the back of your head when moving around the country. Nigeria is one of the most corrupt countries I've ever been to (and I've been to a few), the higher up the establishment a Nigerian gets, the more corrupt they appear to become.
If you have a family, don't bother. The constant security worries a wife and children will have to endure, coupled with enormous boredom, will scupper your chances of a normal, happy life.
At the end of the day, it's your choice, I hope you make the right one!
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if you fly a plane as a pilot,why worry about the dangers in Nigeria ?
There have been no flights in Nigeria since before 0900 as the NLC general strike has paralysed the country and at least 2 fuel subsidy protesters have been killed by police in Lagos and Kano.
There are mass protest on the streets of most large towns and cities.
Yesterday 20 people were killed in Adamawa State and it is suspected that the increasingly violent extremist group Boko Haram was responsible. As a result the government has imposed a 24 hour curfew.
Christians living in the north are fleeing south as the level of violence is increasing and increasing numbers of Muslims, afraid of a Christian backlash are moving north.
Crews have been shot whilst en route to the airport in the past, but none for the last couple of years, so be very sure what level of security your company will provide here.
Life continues and most people survive in Africa's most populous nation, but it's not a place for the faint hearted or those of a nervous disposition.
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Hi Givat, Lagos or Abuja... That is a world of difference! It’s not like choosing between Rome and Milan (also world of difference, but other discussion) Nigeria, is a huge country with different ethnic and religious ‘sections’ in the country.
Have been in Nigeria from 2006 – 2010 so that is my time period I can talk about. Abuja fine, can have a normal daily life there. Lagos, is another story, much more “rules” (safety related) you need to take in consideration, pending on where in Lagos you are based this can mean from stay at hotel… to stay in neighborhood.
Anyway, won’t go there for holidays, but to work it is ok. Preferring Abuja by far over Lagos.
This is not the truth, just my opinion.
Have been in Nigeria from 2006 – 2010 so that is my time period I can talk about. Abuja fine, can have a normal daily life there. Lagos, is another story, much more “rules” (safety related) you need to take in consideration, pending on where in Lagos you are based this can mean from stay at hotel… to stay in neighborhood.
Anyway, won’t go there for holidays, but to work it is ok. Preferring Abuja by far over Lagos.
This is not the truth, just my opinion.
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GIVAT,
One thing to remember about Abuja is that Boko Haram detonated a car bomb at the UN Headquarters there in August of last year which killed at least 21 and injured more than 60 people. The Christmas Day bombings by Boko Haram which killed at least 25 were in Madala on the outskirts of Abuja. Abuja is undoubtedly nicer and has a kinder climate for an expatriate, but for the last year it has been in US embassy warnings of the possibility of suicide bombings in hotels.
Lagos is bigger, dirtier, busier, floods in the rainy season, has terrible traffic jams and, like any big city, has all the usual problems of petty crime (though armed robberies have definitely reduced in the last 5 years).
One thing to remember about Abuja is that Boko Haram detonated a car bomb at the UN Headquarters there in August of last year which killed at least 21 and injured more than 60 people. The Christmas Day bombings by Boko Haram which killed at least 25 were in Madala on the outskirts of Abuja. Abuja is undoubtedly nicer and has a kinder climate for an expatriate, but for the last year it has been in US embassy warnings of the possibility of suicide bombings in hotels.
Lagos is bigger, dirtier, busier, floods in the rainy season, has terrible traffic jams and, like any big city, has all the usual problems of petty crime (though armed robberies have definitely reduced in the last 5 years).
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This seems to me a perfectly reasonable place to post an enquiry about working abroad .. albeit the responses will be subjective and formed around someone's opinion. It does however give opportunity to add these opinions into the equation .....
I have flown extensively around Africa, including historical hotspots like Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea ... they were fine. Thankfully I have never had to go to Nigeria ... based on the anecdotal evidence ...
I have flown extensively around Africa, including historical hotspots like Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea ... they were fine. Thankfully I have never had to go to Nigeria ... based on the anecdotal evidence ...
I have flown extensively around Africa, including historical hotspots like Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea ... they were fine. Thankfully I have never had to go to Nigeria
The thread title is "How is Life in Nigeria" and you say you've never been there. The clue is in the thread title!
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If you can barely understand the ATC then you must be one of these no speakee no english cowboys then who have the ICAO Level 4 Certificate but certainly dont speak Level 4 English