Staying in Nigeria

[CFM56-7B]

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!

[babybuttom]

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:ugh: 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!

[Fish Head on Final]

V1 Is the happiness in nigeria

[5N-OSA]

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.

[chuks]

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!

[pzu]

Nigeria - never been!!! :ok:

No a few who have and for various reasons :D they prefer it to the 'sand pits'

Try this link for updated Expat info

:::OyibosOnLine:::The Expat's Guide To Nigeria::: (http://www.oyibosonline.com/)

PZU - Out of Africa (retired) :cool:

[Springbok614]

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!

[Habari]

Nigerians,. The most balanced people in the world, got chip on both shoulders.

[superspotter]

"the average Nigerian male is 47 years old at time of death"

That's because they eat Nigerian Pepper soup:eek::eek:

"Lagos, the centre of excellence"!!

Well, if that is the centre of excellence, God help us all:sad:
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.....

[Flightsimman]

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"

[merlinxx]

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. (http://www.nbaa.org) check committees then IOC). Check out his operation @ Landover Company Limited - Offering intelligent aviation solutions (http://www.landover.aero).

Just watch out for the 7.5% ABV local Guinness, tastes very nice, but 'tis brain hurtz territory.

[BelArgUSA]

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 nº 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.
:eek:
Happy contrails, like our friend said, after V1 on the runway in Lagos.

[Mr. Smith]

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.

[J'Mac]

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.

[Astir 511]

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
:ugh:PM me if you want more info

[V1... Ooops]

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. ;)

[unstable load]

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!!:E

[TopBunk]

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.

Well it's different in the sense that in those countries you don't get (security escorted) taxis swerving around decapitated bodies on the drive from the airport, with everyone frightened to stop in case they get blamed/involved in some scam!

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":rolleyes:

[Broderii]

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

[atedo]

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.

[ARENDIII]

You are incorrect Sir!
Life is not cheap-Not your's, Not mine, No-one's.
Wish you all the best and hope to visit your country sometime.
ArendIII.

[chuks]

"Negative propaganda", I love it!

A whole restaurant full of folks, all different shades, robbed at gunpoint right there on Airport Road in Ikeja. Not a "bush bar" but a clean, well-lighted place right next to the Sheraton, all the patrons face down on the floor in fear of their lives. (Tip: Do NOT try to get a good look at the robbers.) Picked the wrong night to eat Chinese...

A pilot shot down like a dog on the Agege Motor Road at the wheel of his new 4X4. Okay, maybe a family quarrel but...

Another pilot shot down on the steps of his dwelling at Christmastime. Turned around to run...

A third one shot by the police at one of their checkpoints. Well, he might have annoyed someone powerful...

These were all locals, if that makes a difference. The last white pilot I knew who died, that was just a road accident that left him with something like 85% third-degree burns. Picked the wrong day to go Hashing...

A white guy out with his family, shot and killed by a drunken policeman for no reason at all. Wrong place at the wrong time...

Kidnappings too many to count. One of my colleagues always would get twitchy listening to rain on a tin roof; he said it reminded him of his three weeks in captivity out there in the mangrove swamps with a gang that would pass the time "...smoking ganja, wrestling and cleaning their weapons."

My last company lost two vans to robbers and had a third one shot full of holes (with me inside!) over just a few years in and around Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

Nigerians are lovely folks, the ones who are not reduced to earning a living by criminal means, but they do have this unfortunate reality cut-out, many of them. You or I might see a heaving, stinking mass of humanity, cows, goats, chickens and clapped-out vehicles that failed their Belgian safety inspections (someone not quite right in the head is said to have a "Belgium coconut") to be shipped off to a new life as "Tokunbos" driven by people who got their licences by simple bribery all engaged in a life-or-death struggle to negotiate a traffic roundabout in the blazing noonday sun where a Lagosian just sees "Lagos - Centre of Excellence". Well, for him it is home, after all.

I miss the people but I sure do not miss the danger! It is no use, all this bickering about the true nature of Nigeria: just read the advisories and take due care if you do go. You will probably enjoy it but do not think the fun there to be had always comes without a high price.

[18left]

here we go again!!!!!!!!!

Dont you guys ever get tired??????????????

[chuks]

You get some newbie who has never even got his knees brown asking "So how about Lagos?" when some guy wearing rose-tinted Ray-Bans tries to blow smoke: "Oh yes, come and enjoy Lagos. Very, very nice and please ignore all that racist propaganda. We have cleaned up all our problems and hardly anyone gets killed by robbers these days. Well, not since last week, anyway."

Well, we can all have our opinions, when I have often found mine can be incorrect. BUT, as I pointed out, a quick read of information readily available about Nigeria should give one plenty to think about.

The thing that worries me is that there's some sort of mind-set that is counter-logical. You, Mr New Guy, don't want to know what the U.S. Government, for instance, tells its citizens about this or that country, when it is not as if they are only slagging off Nigeria. No, you want the real inside poop from real people! Well, good luck with that!

Get told what you want to hear, that Lagos is the best-kept secret in Africa: You go there and get paid to enjoy cool drinks, beautiful girls and a really, really great time. Or learn that it's a seething pit of crime and disease that you will be lucky to escape from with only your life. Whatever.

Unless you are some kind of adventure tourist you are coming to Lagos in particular or Nigeria in general to work. That's what it said on my visa and that's what I did there. No travel to Nigeria, no drinking vouchers, period! For me, for a while, it was "the only game in town" and I got treated pretty well, all things considered. That said, I did see other guys decide that staying on dry land was boring, jump in for a nice swim and get eaten alive. Again, read the serious advice available from professional sources rather than listening to this anecdotal stuff.

I could tell you how I flew a small airplane through an area of thunderstorms, if you want to stay awake to hear that. Does that mean that is a good idea, or was I just lucky? The odds do not favour a stay in Lagos! I don't make the odds, I just know where to find them written down.

[seper]

18left does the previous post answer your question?

[Broderii]

I think you'll find my advice objective and Third world specific rather than Africa centric or racial. I would say Bogota, Rio and parts of Miami and LA are more dangerous than Logos....except the latter does not have mosi's!

[chuks]

I was in Coconut Grove, Miami enjoying cool drinks, female companionship and live calypso. When the band took a break I suggested a stroll...

Cue a look of utter amazement: everyone but me knew that the whole area was crawling with muggers such that one did not leave the well-lighted surrounds except by car or taxi. "But it looks so niiice here," was all I could say to excuse my suicidal ignorance. Dumb!

[soggyboxers]

Well I've been here a year or two now so I guess I've seen a few changes. General Obasanjo was the military head of state when I first came out. For me it all changed in 1999 when we had a lot of helicopters hijacked (but no fixed wing that I recall). I survived 3 attempted hijackings with nothing worse than a bit of aircraft damage. I have many scars from where I have been attacked with knives and carried out on site repairs myself :}. I rescued one of my (Nigerian) adopted daughters from kidnappers myself. I remember an interesting night drive around a GRA in Port Harcourt with a guy who was attempting an armed robbery on my car, lying across the bonnet with his right arm in the window trying to strangle me while I was trying to throw him off the car. Luckily when we were chased by MOPOL all that ended up broken was a window and my spectacles.

But then again, I remember lovely days just catching a bus from the Ikorodudu motor park in Warri to see where I'd end up on a day off; hitch hiking holiday around most of the country in 1994 and encountering so much hospitality and friendship; good meals out in Port Harcourt; meeting my wife here; Sundays drifting down the River Ethiope at Abraka; monkeys trying to steal my watch at the Wikki warm springs in the Yankari game park. Sadly, those days are gone for me, but it's just as sad for many Nigerians.

If you're going to be in Lagos, it's just like any other large, overcrowded third world city where you can still have a lot of fun, but you need to be careful. If you're in the Niger Delta it really is pretty unstable right now and you should only venture out with someone with extensive local knowledge and/or an armed escort.

I'd just come out prepared for the worst, but hoping for the best. Most of the people here are friendly and inquisitive about foreigners; they're mercurial, quick to anger and just as quick to laugh. The key to all is laughter. I'm very sad that in a country where I've had so much enjoyment, in many places now it's difficult to have a life outside work if you're an expatriate. From what you say, you'll be in Lagos and there's plenty to do there still, but be aware that it can be a dangerous city at night if you visit the wrong places. Mostly, it's just down to luck. Keep an open mind and have a good time. Chuks is right in his view that many Nigerians have rose tinted spectacles when it comes to defending their country against criticism, but too many people can see no good here and that too is wrong. It isn't the safest or best place to be right now, but it's by no means the most dangerous or the worst either. I hope you have a safe, pleasurable experience here.

[asacrj]

I really dont get it. Here you have an african nation who is giving the opportunity to just about anyone who is qualify, regardless of race or nationality, to fly brand new jets and in response all you get is just negative comments about that country.
To all of you who think that lagos is such a dangerous city, I suggest you check this link. Most Dangerous Cities in the World (http://www.aneki.com/dangerous_cities.html) And I dont think you can get a pilot job either in any of the city mentioned.
I live in one of the most develop country in the world. However, for the first time in my life Ihad to buy a gun just to feel safe a home. Oh! by the way, I was just recently laid off from my aviation job. Hi crime no aviation job, I tell you:sad:

[chuks]

A well-known truism. Same way with "danger", I think. You can be safe as houses in a "dangerous" place but you easily can get your head beaten in someplace regarded as "safe".

I spent a year in Miami just before going to Lagos for the first time. At that time (1980-1981) Miami had high crime. I had been harassed a couple of times out driving around late at night so that I was thinking about buying a gun, especially because it was held to be so that 3 out of 4 people on the road there were armed themselves.

One of the line boys quickly came up with a very nice nickel-plated S&W .357 magnum with a 4-inch, solid rib barrel, even offering to let me loose off a test round into the FBO flower bed there in the parking lot!

I went away and thought that one over and decided, "No, better to just get away from Miami." More and more of my trips were for the Colombian Mafia and the Feds seemed to be developing an unhealthy interest in the way my non-career was developing so that then-Lagos was actually a calmer, less-threatening environment.

Even so, yes, several friends did question my sanity in agreeing to go there. Of course most folks in the States just thought of some image of naked savages dancing around a big, black pot holding me, sort of what The Mighty Sparrow parodies in "Congo Man".

By now I guess Miami would be better except for that rumour some wag started that I had been an informant...

Not to be racist or even merely unfair but Lagos has, umm, deteriorated quite a bit since 1981. On the other hand, yes, you can get breaks there flying some nice equipment that you wouldn't get elsewhere. Just remember that if a deal is "too good to believe" then perhaps you shouldn't believe it! Too, bear in mind that I was ready to go back myself despite knowing pretty well some of the negative aspects of the place.

[Mr. Smith]

Chuks, was the last time you were in Lagos 1981 or have you been there more recently?

[chuks]

I left Nigeria in October of 2005.

[MamaPut]

Yesterday there were 4 Dutch (I believe) expats having a drink outside Mega Plaza in Victoria Island. One of the guys was shot in the head by an armed man who then disappeared. I haven't heard if the man who was shot has died or not. Mega Plaza is a well known shopping centre frequented by many expatriates in Lagos. It originally started as a video club run by an Israeli at the Federal palace Hotel and still has a number of Israeli directors and managers. It has been a popular spot with many expatriates. Sadly, armed robberies are becoming much more common in Lagos and the majority go unreported. It's a shame that when there are so many people who genuinely try and make this a better place, there is a violent minority who achieve the opposite by their violent, criminal behaviour which results in the deaths of far more Nigerians than expatriates. Sadly, that is not particularly newsworthy :(

[CFM56-7B]

Thank you guys for sharing your points of view.

100% agree on visiting a doctor and getting all the vaccinations & co.
About going around the place there, for what I understood so far, my initial idea of staying well closed into the hotel looks still the wisest, after all is just for one month.
Maybe just some very quick excursion to get some local beer to bring in the room will be reasonable, in group and during day, but that's pretty much it.
I know that this will mean missing a valuable experience but it looks like there are still too many wrong places and wrong moments around... better not to risk to find yourself in one of those, if you don't really need.

I'm really appreciating everything you're writing even if I cannot agree on everything, so thank you once again for your advice!

[altoplas]

i just returned from nigeria.landed in lagos.immigration officials quite rude.flew to port harcourt.people very friendly and helpfull when they get to know you,and find out why you are there.also the police.
things to avoid.dont tell them if you are dutch if you are.dont wear t shirts with SHELL logo.i enjoid my stay.only pepper who was to hot for me.the nigerian pepper.try it.the mexicans can learn from it.
i am a kiwi by the way.from the country of people with an open mind.:ok:

[TomBola]

....... and a closed dictionary :E

[TomBola]

Warri is pretty quiet now. If you're going to work for Bristow I expect you'll be living on either the Shell camp or Prodeco camp if you're working for Chevron. On Shell you live on a big camp and don't have to leave to go to work. facilities and security good. With CNL you work over the road from where you live, but still get an armed escort across the road. Nice camp with good housing, facilities and food