Lagos, Nigeria Report of what it's like to live there - 08/29/26
Personal Experiences from Lagos, Nigeria
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
No. Also I've also lived in Macau (while employed in the private sector) and Buenos Aires.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
Florida. The flight is around 12 hrs. Drive to the airport without traffic is around 30. With traffic, it varied greatly. Initially, the flights were pretty timely. Delays got worse during the time I was at post. It was common to miss my connecting flight in ATL or sprint through the airport to make it. At the Lagos airport, men would step in front of me in line or move their luggage in front line, usually without physical contact but not always. On other occasions, I heard flight attendants threatened and witnessed numerous passenger altercations.
3. What years did you live here?
2023-26.
4. How long have you lived here?
Three years.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Dip mission
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Apartment living. Apartments are large. Some mold and lots of construction-related air pollution that flowed through my unit. At one point, they worked with a jackhammer directly outside of the kitchen window. I developed pretty bad eye and skin allergies. Lots of noise from the employee bathroom, people shouting, gym usage, even slurs used by the kids outside or rocks thrown at my windows.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Fresh produce can be pricey. You can get whatever you want if you’re willing to pay and have patience. Plenty of US brands if that matters to you. A good standalone water filter and hydro system for greens makes a huge difference.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
We were okay with what we had and could find there.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Delivery is common. Post gives a good list of trustworthy restaurants. Many also join the GQ that delivers food and has gym and tennis facilities.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Ants and mice around the property. The landlord was responsive to the mice. Ant bait was usually needed in the apartment.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Pouch only.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
You are pretty much forced to have a steward. Building maintenance pops up whenever they feel like it with no notice. Maintenance issues and/or A/C cleanings are common. At least monthly someone was in our apartment but typically a few times each month.
3. Do you feel that it is safe to walk, run or hike outside? Are there areas where bike riding is possible? What is the availability and safety of outdoor space for exercising? Are these easily accessible?
Banana Island and Eko are the popular outside walking/running places. Orange island has a community exercise group. I felt comfortable at each location. I would go almost daily and often walked, jogged or biked alone without feeling unsafe.
Outside space is very limited though. The most walking I did near the apartment was to a grocery store a few blocks down the road. Air quality is not great, especially after construction picked up around the apartment building we lived in during our second year at post.
4. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Several gyms, a CrossFit location, and tons of personal trainers.
5. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Local bank cards or transfers are common. I wouldn’t use an ATM there.
6. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
No. You can’t use local transportation. Most get a driver, not just because driving can be challenging, but to have someone manage the car if parking is limited or unavailable. Shuttles and a short boat ride can get you to and from the Consulate. Motorpool is available for work events. However, Motorpool once left me at an event, so in my opinion, a personal driver is necessary.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Internet service seemed to worsen significantly while we were there. I thought it was pretty consistent at first but by the end outages were common. Installation is same day or next.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
We didn’t take our dog because of his age. It was the right call. Others brought pets but running space for dogs is limited. Cats fare better.
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?
Jobs are always available at the Consulate. Unfortunately, while I worked there, in my experience, bullying was common and certain people openly admitted to applying one standard for white officers and family and treating black officers and family differently. Inappropriate sexual conduct and bigotry came from both sides.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Nigerians take great pride in their attire and ‘dress-up’ for many events. The fashion was a highlight for me.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
The influence of hate group propaganda was extremely prevalent and was expressed in many different ways.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Medical care is limited.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Air quality is poor.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
My drs never got my allergy meds to a point where I didn’t have chronic eye and skin reactions to the environment. Some days, I couldn’t open my eyes at all. However, because of our apartments location, we were particularly impacted by air pollution.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
I don’t think anyone was mentally well.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Hot and humid with a few months of beautiful weather.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Around 300 including families in the Consulate community. Lagos has a strong expat community outside of the Consulate
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
I attended local women and professional events. Nigerians have strong ties, or did, with our country so I found Nigerians that shared my profession and made connections.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
For single people mostly.
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
Yes it’s easy to make friends. There also lots of prejudice but at least they’re honest about it.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
No.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Yes, all of the above. It’s on par with what exists in the US.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Fashion and art events were my favs.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
You can get any type of clothing or wood pieces made.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
In my opinion, there are not the resources at post to manage the chaos here. Things that should never happen in this community happened far too often behind the scenes.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Not as part of the foreign service.
