How safe or unsafe is Nigeria?
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How safe or unsafe is Nigeria?
Hi everyone,
I am looking into a rotational position in Nigeria and would like some advice.
Does anyone have any idea about operating based out of Lagos and general flying in West Africa with regard to safety and security?
I have experience in countries such as Mali and Mauritania but only for a couple of days at a time and never really left the hotel.
I have heard bad things about Nigeria but would like to get a full all round picture from guys who are based there at the moment.
- What is the general level of safety when being driven from the airport to the hotel? I have heard that the drive at night time is particularly dangerous. A tad difficult when called to fly in the middle of the night or arriving back late. Is security advised when being transported?
- Are there decent hotels and compounds for guys working in Lagos? Are you advised to stay in the hotel or compound and are they secure?
- What stories are true and what aren't regarding muggings, murders etc?
Of course many cities are dangerous if you aren't very clever and go out late at night and generally lack awareness of the local area. I am keen to know that with safety in mind and security, are the odds still in favour of a car jacking with a gun pointed at you or the likelihood of being kidnapped? Especially with the threat of Islamist militants in the country.
Any info would be greatly appreciated and would help a lot!
Thanks!!
I am looking into a rotational position in Nigeria and would like some advice.
Does anyone have any idea about operating based out of Lagos and general flying in West Africa with regard to safety and security?
I have experience in countries such as Mali and Mauritania but only for a couple of days at a time and never really left the hotel.
I have heard bad things about Nigeria but would like to get a full all round picture from guys who are based there at the moment.
- What is the general level of safety when being driven from the airport to the hotel? I have heard that the drive at night time is particularly dangerous. A tad difficult when called to fly in the middle of the night or arriving back late. Is security advised when being transported?
- Are there decent hotels and compounds for guys working in Lagos? Are you advised to stay in the hotel or compound and are they secure?
- What stories are true and what aren't regarding muggings, murders etc?
Of course many cities are dangerous if you aren't very clever and go out late at night and generally lack awareness of the local area. I am keen to know that with safety in mind and security, are the odds still in favour of a car jacking with a gun pointed at you or the likelihood of being kidnapped? Especially with the threat of Islamist militants in the country.
Any info would be greatly appreciated and would help a lot!
Thanks!!
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I worked out of there some 30 years ago. For me it was the worst place on earth and I’ve experienced quite a few. All the tea in China would not entice me back.
It may have changed by now but I doubt it.
It may have changed by now but I doubt it.
With the regularly changing FCO advice - I would contact your insurance providers to make sure they will pay out in the event of any issues you have over there (eg you don't want your wife & kids thrown out of the family home if the worse happens to you because your life insurance won't pay out when you travelled against FCO advice)
Last edited by Globally Challenged; 3rd Aug 2012 at 18:38. Reason: Poor spelling
Mistrust in Management
Based in Lagos at the mo with an airline
We stay in hotels or a compound built for the Pilots.
I have never encountered any real trouble (i.e violence). However I generally never go out alone after dark. Certain areas are best avoided altogether, day or night.
Travelling to and from the airport even at night has up to now appeared safe although for a time we did have armed guards in the vehicle. Frankly I was more concerned about an accident involving the armed guards.
I find the people generally pleasant although my general feeling is that those in the south of the country have a more aggressive attitude than those in the north.
I'm afraid to say that the telling of 'porky pies' is somewhat of a built in culture in Nigeria. Generally those lies are not particularly malicious but make doing anything interactive with the folk very tiresome.
Lock any valuables with you personally and do not use a hotel safe. Mysteriously things seem to vanish, particularly cash if you are careless. (over $1000 in my case 6 weeks ago).
A good rotation is vital to allow you time to recover from a somewhat unusual flying and living environment.
Although Nigeria does take some extensive personal adjustment it can be a rewarding place to fly but you need to be on top of your game as it is a very challenging flying environment for many reasons.
I now have a number of good Nigerian friends which must tell you something.
Also I am not looking at all for work elsewhere as no place seems to be able to match the time off/rotation that we enjoy.
Check very carefully the contract regarding payment times and amounts before you sign on the dotted line. In any event make sure you have enough saved at home to survive for three months without income. Paying late for anything seems to be a national sport that everybody competes in (regardless of what it states in the contract) - if it was a part of the Olympics Nigeria would get a gold for certain.
Finally may I recommend the locally brewed Gulder beer as opposed to bottles of Star.
Regards
Exeng
I have never encountered any real trouble (i.e violence). However I generally never go out alone after dark. Certain areas are best avoided altogether, day or night.
Travelling to and from the airport even at night has up to now appeared safe although for a time we did have armed guards in the vehicle. Frankly I was more concerned about an accident involving the armed guards.
I find the people generally pleasant although my general feeling is that those in the south of the country have a more aggressive attitude than those in the north.
I'm afraid to say that the telling of 'porky pies' is somewhat of a built in culture in Nigeria. Generally those lies are not particularly malicious but make doing anything interactive with the folk very tiresome.
Lock any valuables with you personally and do not use a hotel safe. Mysteriously things seem to vanish, particularly cash if you are careless. (over $1000 in my case 6 weeks ago).
A good rotation is vital to allow you time to recover from a somewhat unusual flying and living environment.
Although Nigeria does take some extensive personal adjustment it can be a rewarding place to fly but you need to be on top of your game as it is a very challenging flying environment for many reasons.
I now have a number of good Nigerian friends which must tell you something.
Also I am not looking at all for work elsewhere as no place seems to be able to match the time off/rotation that we enjoy.
Check very carefully the contract regarding payment times and amounts before you sign on the dotted line. In any event make sure you have enough saved at home to survive for three months without income. Paying late for anything seems to be a national sport that everybody competes in (regardless of what it states in the contract) - if it was a part of the Olympics Nigeria would get a gold for certain.
Finally may I recommend the locally brewed Gulder beer as opposed to bottles of Star.
Regards
Exeng
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We work about 8-10 weeks in Nigeria per year and have been there on a rotational contract as well, based in ABV.
While the country certainly has it's drawbacks, it is by no means the DRC... Abuja is generally a pleasant experience, hotels of acceptable standard, and will agree with exeng - unless you attend local church services or hang out at the UN HQ, the biggest danger is the standard of driving, especially in LOS.
Having the right kind of driver is very important - he is the make or break of the daily life, and if he doesn't show up more or less on time when ordered, not only working but shopping and living in general becomes tiresome.
Armed guards should not be a necessity except in certain outstations, but depending on what clients you are looking at flying it may all be incorporated in the contract anyway, whether you need it or not.
Accommodation is generally in secured compounds with armed guards, keeping break-ins etc almost unheard of. Of course you need to watch where you are going, but most places in ABV you can drive safely at night, and some in LOS too. The crime that does occur - should the worst happen - is either simple or armed robbery, but people are not murderous, so if you throw your wallet in one direction and run in the other I doubt they would even give you a second glance.
The other problem is being '419ed', linked to what exeng said about people having a rather wishful relationship to the concept of truth. Never believe what people say to you if you really depend on it - asking in 5-6 different ways sometimes produces something approximating veracity, especially when things are aviation-related.
Flying intra-Nigeria is easy (when you get used to the radio - give that a week or so), but you have to have loads of patience. The good thing is that your pax will be used to how things work, so an explanation that in EUR region would have resulted in irate disbelief is just greeted with a smile.
Another good thing is that 90% of your pax are scared s...less of flying, so if you say "can't do - wx not good", they will thank you and take whatever alternative you offer them.
Things go slowly, so if you can adjust yourself to the pace and don't get stressed by it, flying in Nigeria is a rewarding experience. Be prepared to occasionally shout when you are being treated like a schmuck and equally prepared to "facilitate" things with 500 or 1000 NGN now and again.
Health insurance can be obtained, although you will pay upwards of 2000 GBP/yr for the pleasure.
Any further q's just PM me - cheers ;-)
While the country certainly has it's drawbacks, it is by no means the DRC... Abuja is generally a pleasant experience, hotels of acceptable standard, and will agree with exeng - unless you attend local church services or hang out at the UN HQ, the biggest danger is the standard of driving, especially in LOS.
Having the right kind of driver is very important - he is the make or break of the daily life, and if he doesn't show up more or less on time when ordered, not only working but shopping and living in general becomes tiresome.
Armed guards should not be a necessity except in certain outstations, but depending on what clients you are looking at flying it may all be incorporated in the contract anyway, whether you need it or not.
Accommodation is generally in secured compounds with armed guards, keeping break-ins etc almost unheard of. Of course you need to watch where you are going, but most places in ABV you can drive safely at night, and some in LOS too. The crime that does occur - should the worst happen - is either simple or armed robbery, but people are not murderous, so if you throw your wallet in one direction and run in the other I doubt they would even give you a second glance.
The other problem is being '419ed', linked to what exeng said about people having a rather wishful relationship to the concept of truth. Never believe what people say to you if you really depend on it - asking in 5-6 different ways sometimes produces something approximating veracity, especially when things are aviation-related.
Flying intra-Nigeria is easy (when you get used to the radio - give that a week or so), but you have to have loads of patience. The good thing is that your pax will be used to how things work, so an explanation that in EUR region would have resulted in irate disbelief is just greeted with a smile.
Another good thing is that 90% of your pax are scared s...less of flying, so if you say "can't do - wx not good", they will thank you and take whatever alternative you offer them.
Things go slowly, so if you can adjust yourself to the pace and don't get stressed by it, flying in Nigeria is a rewarding experience. Be prepared to occasionally shout when you are being treated like a schmuck and equally prepared to "facilitate" things with 500 or 1000 NGN now and again.
Health insurance can be obtained, although you will pay upwards of 2000 GBP/yr for the pleasure.
Any further q's just PM me - cheers ;-)
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Another 'gotcha' - bring USD, but only notes from 2004 and onwards. Most places will not take older ones for fear of counterfeit notes...
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Guys thank you for taking the time to give a broad view of your experiences working there, it is very much appreciated.
On another note, what are the weather patterns? Do you encounter thunderstorms on a regular basis and if so, how prepared is ATC?
Keep your experiences coming both good and bad?
Many thanks!!
On another note, what are the weather patterns? Do you encounter thunderstorms on a regular basis and if so, how prepared is ATC?
Keep your experiences coming both good and bad?
Many thanks!!
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Thunderstorms are frequent in the big rainy season, but given enough fuel not much of a problem. They tend to move pretty fast (20-40 kt), so that type will clear an airport inside 30 min. Sometimes the bastards won't move much, and then you either divert or evaluate if its position relative to approach path, airport and missed approach path is such that an approach may still be attempted.
However - if in any doubt, you're not in doubt ;-) Expect flooded runways if landing right after a shower (so will need your contaminated data pretty often).
ATC of absolutely no assistance in CB avoidance - you just tell them what you are going to do and coordinate with other aircraft. That being said, LOS approach are pretty good nowadays and will manage traffic - up to a point.
Late in the big dry season, your biggest problem as far S as ABV will be dust - and as T/O minima in Nigeria cannot be lower than approach minima, you could easily be caught for 3-4 days in places with just a VOR, eg Kano.
However - if in any doubt, you're not in doubt ;-) Expect flooded runways if landing right after a shower (so will need your contaminated data pretty often).
ATC of absolutely no assistance in CB avoidance - you just tell them what you are going to do and coordinate with other aircraft. That being said, LOS approach are pretty good nowadays and will manage traffic - up to a point.
Late in the big dry season, your biggest problem as far S as ABV will be dust - and as T/O minima in Nigeria cannot be lower than approach minima, you could easily be caught for 3-4 days in places with just a VOR, eg Kano.
Mistrust in Management
On another note, what are the weather patterns? Do you encounter thunderstorms on a regular basis and if so, how prepared is ATC?
By the way when I say ATC has completely broken down I really mean it. Several times in my experience Lagos control on 127.3 has completely given up and won't transmit to anybody - so we are all left wandering around for 5 mins. I must say that there are some good controllers of course. You very quickly get to know the sound of their voices and have an inkling if this is yet again going to be one of those days.
Use of non standard RT phraseolgy is rife amongst controllers and Pilots. Pilots regularly lie about their position and speed in order to gain an advantage somewhere. Typical non standard clearances like 'Biz Jet 001 line up after the landing 737' are normal.
Trying to get any met info whilst airborne is next to impossible (there is no volmet service anywhere) and asking a station for another stations weather produces a few giggles at best
Read up on the 'Harmatton' plus the movement of the 'ITCZ'. Agree again with Empty Cruise but to add that last year the dust (due to Harmatton winds) went quite a bit further south than Abuja. This dust can be very limiting in regard to selection of destination alternates given that many of the alternates available may have non-precision aids at best (Nigerian regs also require the one step up rule for minima: i.e if lowest minima available at the alternate is non precision then non precision RVR plus a 1000m and ceiling plus 200ft is required) This can make planning extremely difficult if you are in any way fuel limited after a long sector.
Navigation aids are very poorly maintained and a lot of airfields will not notam anything at all. So you are planning on a VOR/DME approach and find the DME not working (and hasn't been for months probably). If you do land you will find potholes all over the place etc.
After heavy rain be very wary indeed of braking effectiveness on any runway in Nigeria. Do not ever be tempted to accept a touchdown that is 'long' under these circumstances (although you never should anyway).
All airfields provide a marshalling service - do not rely on these people for anything else other than keeping you within the airfield boundaries.
Kano incidentally now has an ILS on rwy 06.
Enjoy the Gulder - best served very cold.
Regards
Exeng
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I have heard from some friends that have experience there. Another low budget outfit that is immune to foreign pilots that want to be paid. Do not waist you time and money.
Accommodations are shared with others, not very modern.
Accommodations are shared with others, not very modern.
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In my experience Nigeria is generally dreadful. However Abuja is tolerable for short periods. The Hilton and Sheraton are OK.
Lagos is the definition of chaos, utter chaos......particularly if operating a bizjet around the GA ramp.
Be very careful if you have to spend time in the Delta area, especially Port Harcourt, last year the FCO advised against ALL travel there and warned UK citizens to leave. Travelling by road after dark is a gift to kidnappers, we always had a truckload of armed guards with us, but that was a worry as well as not all of them can be trusted. Best to stay well clear of this area.
To be honest theres no money on Earth that would get me working in Nigeria. Next door in Ghana is a totally different matter, civilised decent country.
Lagos is the definition of chaos, utter chaos......particularly if operating a bizjet around the GA ramp.
Be very careful if you have to spend time in the Delta area, especially Port Harcourt, last year the FCO advised against ALL travel there and warned UK citizens to leave. Travelling by road after dark is a gift to kidnappers, we always had a truckload of armed guards with us, but that was a worry as well as not all of them can be trusted. Best to stay well clear of this area.
To be honest theres no money on Earth that would get me working in Nigeria. Next door in Ghana is a totally different matter, civilised decent country.
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Malaria
How do the guys working out in Nigeria deal with Malaria? If you are on a decent rotation woth good accomodation do you take the anti-malarials and deal with the side effects, take precautions (mossie repellent etc) and hope for the best or accept malaria as an occupational hazard and deal with it when it occurs?
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I always had a mosquito spray with me, which was a small canister which has a contents for a 747. I simply deleted it completely, spray under the bed, all corners and let the airco running. Never had a mosquito net with me, but then again, i always had short stays over there. We always requested min rest overthere, even in abudja. If you stay in nigeria, don't hang around, not even talk with the ladies cause they can give you a lot of problems. I agree with stressfree, if you can go to accra, ghana, much better overhere. But to be based in Nigeria, they really need to come up with a lot of money to do that.
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I was offered a cpt position out there on a bravo, turned it down not enough money but the problems of living there even for a 2 week rotation was a headache. Last may 2011 a British and Italian where kidnapped and later killed this year in March 2012. They even offered me security but not worth it, so i declined the job, dont know who got it but good luck to them.
Maybe bizjetjock look at latest info here Nigeria travel advice
Good luck
Maybe bizjetjock look at latest info here Nigeria travel advice
Good luck
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Didn't they just offered you a job?
Just joking, of course.
I got a couple of offers too, but way too little money to even think about it.
As Empty Cruise said, bring new USD bills, and also a load of small bills to avoid the "sorry, no change"
Just joking, of course.
I got a couple of offers too, but way too little money to even think about it.
As Empty Cruise said, bring new USD bills, and also a load of small bills to avoid the "sorry, no change"
Last edited by flydive1; 5th Aug 2012 at 18:18.
