Nigerain visa

[Socialwork4god 11]

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!!

Thank you for your help!!

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Take a couple of ones to rent a luggage cart , it will help you gather your bags and get through customs. Beware of anyone offering to carry your bags, they will likely develop wings and fly right into the crowd and out of sight. Remember cottons, cottons and more cottons. Being white do not forget your sun screen. Bring one of those cooling clothes like the sell at home depot. If you end up somewhere without electric he moisture can cool you a bit. Make sure you have the right kind of Malaria meds , the ones for South America aren't the same. Register your visit with the embassy before your go. Make a copy of your passport and visa , email it to yourself. In case of disaster you can at least get to the copy. I actually packed a couple of packages of oatmeal and a boilable dinner, that way if you get totally sick you have something to get you through a couple of days. You are most apt to pick up something from the water, if you are the type that gets bugs easily be very careful with water, ice and any fruit or vegetable that holds water ( lettuce can be a big germ carrier) opt for things you peel ( oranges, potatoes )

[Socialwork4god 11]

Thank you! Good advice about foods

[Ryan H 3,795]

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[Unshakable Faith 493]

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!!

Wow!! I'm glad that never happened to me. I've never been pulled over there, thankfully!

OP- I used my bank card over there. I alerted my bank that I was going. I've just always been weary about carrying cash like that while traveling so I thought it was safer to just pull what money I needed from the atm.

I also took over the counter meds for upset stomach and also motion sickness which came in handy on the way there because I got a bit queasy after I ate on the plane!

Edited September 16, 2015 by FN&KO

[luviscoming1 14]

Wow...what an experience. I havent traveled to NIgeria but to Ghana and its seems very similiar. Have fun and safe travels. And ignore the haters.

[LoveNigarmostyle 164]

Great advice is already shared in the posts. If you plan to stay a long time, it would be a good idea to immunize fully. Also when you arrive there, go to the U.S. Embassy and let them know where you will be staying. Make sure your fiancé meets you at the front of the exit door for people will overwhelm you with their presence. Do not pay anyone anything once you are at baggage claim. You will be asked for money but stay strong and say NO. Yes, take hundred dollar bills but ask your fiancé what year? For the black market prefers newer bills and lady time I went it was 2008 and newer. Eating stuff on the street is not something I advice for the hygiene is not in best conditions. I preferred eating at in laws and restuarants. I also went to the shop rite for veggies, fruits and so on. Don't take water with you for there is plenty there. Tooth brush is a must. Toilet paper too. Their paper there is like sand paper! Lol if you can find a battery operated little fan buy it! Take extra batteries too. When the electricity goes out, this will be very handy. Pack light clothes and be ready for a torally new experience! Good luck!

[Socialwork4god 11]

Great advice is already shared in the posts. If you plan to stay a long time, it would be a good idea to immunize fully. Also when you arrive there, go to the U.S. Embassy and let them know where you will be staying. Make sure your fiancé meets you at the front of the exit door for people will overwhelm you with their presence. Do not pay anyone anything once you are at baggage claim. You will be asked for money but stay strong and say NO. Yes, take hundred dollar bills but ask your fiancé what year? For the black market prefers newer bills and lady time I went it was 2008 and newer. Eating stuff on the street is not something I advice for the hygiene is not in best conditions. I preferred eating at in laws and restuarants. I also went to the shop rite for veggies, fruits and so on. Don't take water with you for there is plenty there. Tooth brush is a must. Toilet paper too. Their paper there is like sand paper! Lol if you can find a battery operated little fan buy it! Take extra batteries too. When the electricity goes out, this will be very handy. Pack light clothes and be ready for a torally new experience! Good luck!

Thank you so much!!! All of this advice is definitely putting my mind at ease!

[LoveNigarmostyle 164]

Thank you so much!!! All of this advice is definitely putting my mind at ease!

[tomyka81 95]

you have to get suya though. just tell the guy to keep it on the fire a little longer to burn off the germs lol

[LoveNigarmostyle 164]

You are welcome! Go with open mind and ready for a new experience! Be alert and cautious but open to the love and hospitality your new family will display.

[Unshakable Faith 493]

you have to get suya though. just tell the guy to keep it on the fire a little longer to burn off the germs lol

Oh yes!!! Suya is my favorite! So good!

OP, I'm going today to buy a fan from Home Depot- not sure if you have those in NY but the 5in battery powered fans are like $6 and have really good reviews on amazon.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/O2Cool-5-in-Battery-Operated-Portable-Fan-FD05004/203121391

[Socialwork4god 11]

Oh yes!!! Suya is my favorite! So good!

OP, I'm going today to buy a fan from Home Depot- not sure if you have those in NY but the 5in battery powered fans are like $6 and have really good reviews on amazon.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/O2Cool-5-in-Battery-Operated-Portable-Fan-FD05004/203121391

thanks hun! I almost forgot about the fan!!! lol....I'm going to need that! Also, did you buy the adapter for like your phone charger so you can charge it while you are there? I looked into buying one but, I was nervous to commit because they look weird and I don't want to buy the wrong thing haha.

[ikeNme 38]

Great advice is already shared in the posts. If you plan to stay a long time, it would be a good idea to immunize fully. Also when you arrive there, go to the U.S. Embassy and let them know where you will be staying. Make sure your fiancé meets you at the front of the exit door for people will overwhelm you with their presence. Do not pay anyone anything once you are at baggage claim. You will be asked for money but stay strong and say NO. Yes, take hundred dollar bills but ask your fiancé what year? For the black market prefers newer bills and lady time I went it was 2008 and newer. Eating stuff on the street is not something I advice for the hygiene is not in best conditions. I preferred eating at in laws and restuarants. I also went to the shop rite for veggies, fruits and so on. Don't take water with you for there is plenty there. Tooth brush is a must. Toilet paper too. Their paper there is like sand paper! Lol if you can find a battery operated little fan buy it! Take extra batteries too. When the electricity goes out, this will be very handy. Pack light clothes and be ready for a torally new experience! Good luck!

LOL...yes, the toilet paper!! Good one! And you're right about the newer bills too!!

you have to get suya though. just tell the guy to keep it on the fire a little longer to burn off the germs lol

Best street food by far.......PUF PUF!! omg its sooooo good. get it hot in the morning...yummy!!

Edited September 17, 2015 by ikeNme

[Socialwork4god 11]

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.

What kind of gifts should I bring and is it required? Can I get away with saying I don't have anything for them and their family?? Thanks!