Abuja - Post Report Question and Answers

Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?

Internet is fast enough to stream Netflix, Hulu, etc. Some compounds have "Legend" pre-installed, so it doesn't take long to have it available. We worked with our social sponsor to have it available upon arrival and it worked. A second provider is recommended as backup if you do home office (hello EFMs!) or have impatient children...Legend and Spectranet can both be paid for at the commissary (unless you want to get a bank account here, you pay cash every month) - Sep 2019


We use only wifi, so I'm not a good person to ask that question. We turn off our US phones and that's that. Think of Nigeria as an extended stay retreat ! That helps! - Feb 2019


The Internet really depends on your compound. Most compounds have been wired for fiber via Legend. Legend is marketed as 8mb download but typically is about 5mb or so. It often goes down though. Other companies like MTN and Spectranet are available via a 4G router. MTN offers a 10mb plan and works well in the city center. If you want to stream etc, make sure you have a solid VPN before arriving to post. - Apr 2018


There are several high-speed internet options. Fiber optic is now available on most housing compounds, and there are several wireless options as well. - Apr 2017


There is internet. The price we have for our cell phone data plan is $50 U.S. for 22GB. This is a recent reduction from 90 USD for 20GB. I expect some plans will still be at the old prices, so shop around. - Jun 2016


Maybe? Internet quality was one of the biggest complaints amongst USG personnel at post - varying quality, data caps, speed. That said, there was a new vendor just as I was leaving who was offering unlimited data via fiber optic links, so this could be a game changer. - Aug 2015


High speed? No, not here. But, there is internet access provider by several start-ups. Cost? 17500 nigra a month(US$88). Quality depends on location and does vary among the providers. - Jun 2015


Internet is not terribly expensive but speed and availability vary according to where you live. Not bad at 66, costs about US$60 month for average use. - Nov 2014


Yes and costly. Several providers and not one of them is any better than the other. Ask around and see what works best for your living area. - Aug 2014


Not available. Best option I've found is spending about US$50/month on a MIFI that creates a wireless hotspot in my apartment on 2G or 3G. - May 2014


No. Some people have more luck than others, but there is no high-speed internet. What you do get is not absurdly expensive, but is it also not reliable. See phone section. - May 2013


I wouldn't call it high speed. Very expensive ($50 per month and up) and very slow. Some were able to use Skype and Vonage consistently. I was not able to use either one for most of my tour. The internet speed at my residence was just too slow. - Jun 2009


Internet is available and very expensive, and it's not fast. It will run you close to US$100 a month, depending on who you use. It's also not reliable and will be out for short or long periods of time without notice. - Sep 2008


I wouldn't say high-speed internet is available in Abuja. There are internet services, which are costly ($200-$300 per month, usually with a large initial fee). And service is usually poor. The electricity goes out 2-20 times most days; if you're in Embassy housing there is a back-up generator, but it cancels the internet session most of the time. Even submitting this review required saving it onto a Word doc, then restarting the internet and cutting and pasting my answers back in. - Aug 2008


High speed? Ha! Internet is available, but you will be paying out the nose for a crappy connection. - Jul 2008


Subscribe to our newsletter


New book from Talesmag! Honest and courageous stories of life abroad with special needs.

Read More