Abuja, Nigeria Report of what it's like to live there - 07/22/08
Personal Experiences from Abuja, Nigeria
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
First-time expat.
2. How long have you lived here?
2 years.
3. Travel time and best routes to this city from Europe or the US:
Travel time is roughly 24 hours hours depending on layovers. You can travel through London, Amsterdam, or Frankfurt.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
U.S. Government.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
The U.S. housing pool consists of several gated and guarded compounds throughout the city. Most are either flats or townhomes, but some are houses. Most have a pool and two have tennis courts as well. Most of them are poorly built with shoddy workmanship and low grade materials. From what I hear, Nigeria has some of the smallest housing in Africa and many expats are rather disappointed in both the quality and size.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Most people end up ordering a lot of prepackaged and household goods from Netgrocer or Amazon. You can get some fresh produce here for a price as well as your meat and dairy needs, but again, at a price. Everything here is expensive.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Root beer and vanilla extract. You can't ship liquids or glass through the pouch, but most things are easy to get.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
There are no Western chains here, however the fast food of choice here are the shawarmas, which are fantastic. There is also a Southern Fried Chicken that is kind of a knock off of a KFC.Beyond that, there are some wonderful restaraunts here with a variety of cuisines; Lebanese, Chinese, Thai, Indian, Continental, and Italian to name a few.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
We have a pouch where you can send flat mail out and receive packages and flat mail in.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Plentiful and relatively cheap. Almost everyone here at post has at least one domestic working for them.
3. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Don't.
4. What English-language religious services are available locally?
5. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
There is DSTV available for around US$100 a month, the embassy provides free AFN as well.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
None, though it may take you a while to get use to the accent.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
A lot, there are few ramps with in the city and it can be dangerous to rely on what elevators there are in public places due to the poor power situation. Sidewalks are in disrepair and are often used more for driving and parking than for walking.
Transportation:
1. Do you drive on the right hand side of the road or the left?
Technically the right, like the U.S., but really anything goes, including the sidewalks.
2. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
The RSO strictly prohibits the use of local transportation.
3. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
Within the city a car is fine, though you may prefer to have a large vehicle just to feel safer on the roads with the idiot drivers. Toyotas, Mercedes, and BMWs seem to be the favorite choices here. Beware that if you ship a vehicle here it could be upwards of 6 months before you actually see it, though buying locally isn't much of a better gamble as the price of vehicles is remarkably high here.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
High speed? Ha! Internet is available, but you will be paying out the nose for a crappy connection.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Get one. MTN is the major carrier here.
3. What is the best way to make phone calls back home?
Vonage or Skype if you can get a decent enough internet connection, otherwise, calling cards and the embassy IVG line.
Pets:
1. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Business at work, casual is fine in public, but you still want to dress modestly.
Health & Safety:
1. Pollution index (Good, Moderate, Unhealthy, or Very Unhealthy)?
Unhealthy, between the harmattan, the burning of trash and vegetation, and the older cars and buses with high emissions, it can be difficult for those with respiratory problems. Even some who come here without problems develop them.
2. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Moderate. Most crimes are still of an opportunistic nature and while I've heard about theft and car jackings, I haven't seen the American community specifically targeted. As another poster noted, the driving here is the real day-to-day security concern and it's getting increasingly worse with every passing month as more Nigerians move into Abuja.
3. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Malaria and poor sanitation are the big concerns. Wash your vegetables in Milton wash or bleach, don't drink the water, and take your malaria prophylaxis and for the most part you'll be fine. Nearly everyone deals with some stomach problems at one point or another so have some tums or pepto bismal on hand. The medical unit in the embassy is adequate for minor things, but anything major gets you medevac'd to London or South Africa.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Hot, dry and dusty from about October/November through March/April and hot, humid, and rainy for the rest of the year.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
From what I've seen with the other families, most with small children have a nanny.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
There are roughly 200 Americans, add to that the Germans, Canadians, Brits, etc and you have a rather large expat community.
2. Morale among expats:
Very low. Nigerians are a really difficult and unpleasant people to live with. Dealing with rude, pushy, arrogant, abrasive people day in and day out is frustrating, exhausting, and emotionally draining.
3. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Mostly in home entertaining.
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
This is absolutely a family-oriented post and most singles and couples without children can feel a little lost and/or left out. There is no real social scene to speak of and unless you want to get involved in all the kiddie oriented activities, you may find yourself without a whole lot to do on the weekends.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
As was mentioned, homosexuality is illegal in Nigeria. You will see men holding hands or walking with their arms around each other, but it is a cultural thing, not a sexual one.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
There is a lot of tension between the tribal groups.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Unfortunately, not a whole lot. This is a post where you have to make your own fun. We use to have a movie theatre, but I have heard rumors that that has recently been closed down. There is a bowling alley ...
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
There is nothing really unique to Nigeria, it's all mostly Africrap, however, there are some nice masks and pottery available.
9. Can you save money?
That really depends on how frugal you are. I have been able to, however I don't have many outgoing expenses. If you want to travel and get out of the country and go out to eat several times a week, it will be difficult to save much.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
No.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Winter clothes and expectations for common courtesy and customer service.
3. But don't forget your:
Swimsuit, good humor, and patience.
4. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
6. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:
7. Do you have any other comments?
While I would not choose to do this tour again, I do not regret my time here. It has been an eye opening and worthwhile experience, just not one I would like to repeat.
