Nigerain visa

[Socialwork4god 11]

Hello everyone,

I'm looking for individuals who live in Nigeria or have visited. I will be visiting soon and am just looking for any advice or information that will help me to know what to expect. I've heard the airport is a scary and difficult place so I'm looking for what people's experiences were there. I'm also trying to figure out how to pack for my trip. I know it's going to be hot but, I've heard I should pack bottled water and such and not sure how necessary that is. Also, what are nice yet cheap things to do in Lagos and Ibadan? Thank you so much!!!!

[NancyNguyen 1,657]

I thought you have a Nigerian fiance? Why don't ask him?

[Mariam&Smith 45]

[Ryan H 3,795]

Moved from Tourist Visas forum to Africa: Sub-Saharan regional forum.

[Socialwork4god 11]

I do and I have but, I am just looking for more information perhaps from American's who have visited and understand where I'm coming from.

[Unshakable Faith 493]

You can get bottled water there, that's what I did. No need to take up room in your bag. Pack light clothing because it is always hot lol. Pack flip flops/sandals and also tennis shoes or closed-toed shoes. I took so many clothes last time and ended up not even wearing half of them so I'm packing lighter this time I think lol, I'll try anyway!

You know you have my contact info and can always ask me anything.

Ignore the people that are being unnecessary because the point is your fiance can't prepare you as well because he doesn't know what it's like here so it's impossible to tell you what the difference between here and there is.

stay calm and breathe!

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/485605-what-will-it-be-like-in-lagos/?hl=%2Bmalaria#entry6951310

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/343490-help-1st-trip-to-ibadan-nigeria-may-2012/?hl=+malaria

A couple of old thread about advise Yellow fever is no longer required.

[Unshakable Faith 493]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/485605-what-will-it-be-like-in-lagos/?hl=%2Bmalaria#entry6951310

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/343490-help-1st-trip-to-ibadan-nigeria-may-2012/?hl=+malaria

A couple of old thread about advise Yellow fever is no longer required.

Those articles made me lol but I've found the info to be very true!

I can't wait to go back in 8 days

[tomyka81 95]

The Lagos airport is very small. Make sure that your fiance meets you outside because while everyone speaks english, they speak so low and it is very overwhelming. Take $100 bills with you as they get a better exchange rate than lower bills. I learned this when I did not get the posted rate because I has $20 bills, but the rate I got was still better than I had expected. Exchange just a little money at the airport, say 200-300 dollars and the rest when you get to the place that you are going. Insist that the clerk gives you some small bills and not all 1000 Naira notes. THis happened to me and of course no one ever has change. Take Lyson (a big can), deep woods deet, maybe a few misquito repellant bracelets, some gifts (don't over do it at all), some tylenol, pepto bismal, neosporan, bandaids, an outlet adapter for your electronics, a sim enabled cell phone, long sleeved shirts (for the misquitos), old tennis shoes (lots of red clay dirt that turns to nasty mud because of the rain), do NOT forget to pack a toothbrush. The tooth brushes sold over there are hard enough to take the enamel off the teeth Soap, wet wipe for using the restroom when you are in town, clorox whips to whip stuff down. That is about all that I can think of.

You dont need to pack water because just about every where sells water for maybe 50 cent to 1 dollar so that isn't an issue. Just make sure that you drink bottled water and not the water in the bags. Everything is relatively cheap in nigeria. A ticket to the movie is about $2.50 or 500 Naira.

[tomyka81 95]

You only need a yellow fever shot with the yellow card. It is inspected upon arrival at the airprt . If you listen to your fiance, you will not end up in the hospital. I shared many meals with my soon to be family members. I went to the market, all softs of stuff, ate from the mallams on side of the road, ate nigerian walnuts from the little girls selling them and I did not get sick at all. You will have travelers diarrhea upon return though.

[Unshakable Faith 493]

Yellow fever card is not necessary.

I did take malaria meds to make sure I wouldn't get it though.

[tomyka81 95]

a yellow fever card is required so she doesn't get the "shake down" for not having one. When I went in July, a saw a white man getting the shake down for not having one but the very mean female security people. She went as far as to stop me and take mine to show him. Of couse, I am sure he had to pay her from bribe money to be let go. lol

[Unshakable Faith 493]

a yellow fever card is required so she doesn't get the "shake down" for not having one. When I went in July, a saw a white man getting the shake down for not having one but the very mean female security people. She went as far as to stop me and take mine to show him. Of couse, I am sure he had to pay her from bribe money to be let go. lol

The lady at the airport when I went tried to bribe me to give her something because I didn't have my yellow fever card, threatened to quarantine me but when she realized I wasn't going to give her anything, she let me go.

So not a requirement, but could help if you don't want to get hassled.

[Socialwork4god 11]

Wow! Thanks everyone!! That's very helpful. HFM181818...you're a bit mean....why would you berate the country where it's obvious that we have loved one at?! I pray your loved one does not live in Nigeria because I wouldn't want to deal with your rude comments.

Freddie!! thanks girl!

and tomyka81 thanks for the advice.

[ikeNme 38]

When I went for the first time, I went to a travel clinic prior to my departure. I got the required yellow fever and a script for anti malaria pills,, immodium, and cipro (an antibiotic in case of food poisoning). they also gave me a lot of boosters and a tetanus shot. When I arrived, i was not prepared to deal with the slick officers inside the airport. They tried hustling me for money at every corner, but of course I didnt know that so I was irritating them more by being confused. Like they would say "where is your white paper"....what white paper? "your white paper, your white paper"....geez. when they realized i wasnt going to just hand over money because I didn't know that's what they wanted,...the one guy just said "get the F*** out of here!! wow, welcome to Nigeria!! Have your fiance meet you right outside the airport. Dont let anyone "assist" you with your bags..Just tell them "dont worry". There is no need to bring water. ...that is a total waste of space and weight in your bag..there is bottled water sold everywhere you look. I'm not going to lie, my first couple visits there, whenever i was in a car, whether it was taxi or private car, if a police officer saw me in the vehicle, he pulled us over. He'd start swatting the vehicle with his baton til we stopped and let him in the car. Everyone was harassed until we gave up money and then we were allowed to go. This honestly happened every single day i was there. Apart from that, Victoria Island is really pretty and they have a silverbird cinema where you can go to watch movies pretty reasonably priced. There is also the beaches, where you could just sit and enjoy music without it costing a lot of money. Transportation is cheap,, but let your fiance do the negotiating because they will try to give you the Oyinbo price. Like another poster said, 100's and even 50's get exchanged at a better rate than the lower bills and do some scouting around to find the best exchange, they do not all pay the same. Stay safe, have fun, best wishes!!