Socialwork4god

You don't know that for sure and also, he has not asked me to pay for a thing! Please don't talk down about my fiancé until you have met the man and know him personally.

All is well. My passport has arrived with visa inside

Well phew. So is it 6 month or 2 year entry? So when do you plan to leave?

You getting pregnant will not make it easier for him to get a visitor visa. That's a strong tie to the US. It doesn't help him overcome the presumption that he will stay and not go home.
Pregnancy is not a basis for an expedite.
These are common misconceptions about pregnancy and getting a visa.

The first time I got my visa, it was for multiple entries- valid for a year.
This time it was for multiple entries- valid for 2 years.

Hello. I read your previous post when you asked about visiting Nigeria and were given great advice. So now you are very close to leaving. You must be very excited. I just want to tell you about registering online with STEP
http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/go/step.html
I also want to tell you that returning home you must get to the airport very early. On my last visit my flight home was at about 10pm and I arrived there about 7pm. I was not allowed to go through the boarding process. Even after going upstairs and pleading with them. They said I should have been there at 5 pm. So I had to change my ticket and pay a cost difference and return the next day. So be there early and allow for the terrible traffic. Maybe no one else has experienced this but it happened to me. Have a ton of fun and take a bazillion photos.

I already have a converter but, thank you.

As far as "gifts" go.... They love "American chocolate"...lol Must be a delicacy. I always have "gifts" of various 'amounts' with me. You never know what it could take to make peace.

I am on my way back to Legos Friday the 25th of September. No need to pack food or beverages because you can not take it into the states or bring food back from Nigeria. Clothing dress comfortable it will be hot and also this is rainy season. Make sure your you have tissue, towels depending on where you staying some hotels do not provide a lot of our needs. There are limited next to non public restroom. When leaving airport left your fiance handle things don't exchange money at airport with nobody. Go to bank. Have an open mind about everything you see and experience. But I love it

@Socialwork4god. I visited Nigeria 3 times. Lagos. Enugu. Abuja Time frame 2007-2011. Just like everyone suggested...get a yellow card so you wont have a problem entering the country. The only required vaccine is Yellow fever...google a friendly travel doctor or ask your own doc to refer you to one. Once you have a yellow card, they are good for 10 years. Take some malaria meds with you. I used to take mefloquin going there, but I am not sure if it's still available. If your doctor does not know...tell them that many anti-malarials that work in South America do not work in Affrica, hence, it has to be region specific. If you are planning to have insurance company pay for the pills...be wary...they only want to cover 4 weeks...and you have to start regimen two weeks before your trip. You will have to explain to your insurance company that no one will refill the script overseas...hence they have to cover full 10 weeks...assuming your trip is 3 to 4 weeks.
For anti-mosquito repellent. I'd recommend citronella wipes...not the industrial type stuff that takes off nail polish. Mosquitos may land on you, but they will never bite if you are doused with it. They hate the lemon scent.
Mohammed Mortala (Lagos Airport) is not scary...but they have a single toilet paper dispenser in the ladies room, so pack some facial tissues for that emergency bathroom call. Be prepared to show your customs officers address of your finacee's home or a hotel where you are staying. If your fiancee can not meet you inside of the airport. Do not exchange any money or or chat with anyone, until you see him. If you do not see him right away, then go back in, and ask an airport official to call him for you. Your fiancee should reimburse the person who called him. As of today...exchange rates 1.00 USD = 199.050 Nigerian Naira. Bottled water is readily available, so no worries. But if you enjoy a particular brand of toiler paper or feminine products, bring them along.
You will find Lagos to be cosmopolitan and dirty at the same time If your fiancee is well off, you will spend some time on Victoria Island. I'd also recommend a trip to Badagri Beach, closer to Benin, but lovely. none the less. Never been to Ibadan, just guessing that your man is Yoruba. So I'd recommend a stop at a local museum to soak up the culture. If he has a mother and sisters, I am sure they will take good care of you. If you enjoy drinking, Heineken is easy to come by. Other than "bon voyage" and you will be 100% fine, enjoy the time with your love and his family.

For charging phones, just get a USB charger that fits with your phone and a car adapter (if you will be traveling in your own transportation while there). With all the power outages, the car charger really saved me. And trust me, traffic is crazy so you may end up in vehicles for longer than you expect.
I ate and drank whatever was given to me and didn't get sick. No tap water though, but I bathed and brushed my teeth with water from the ground.
The battery fan is a brilliant idea!
Pack light clothing and hair ties.
You may end up having a different experience, but thinking back on my time there, if I had gone into it with the mindset that I was going to be camping, I think I would have been a bit more mentally prepared.
I got a yellow fever shot and local malaria pills while there. Neither were very expensive, but the shot was a little scary just because the hospitals are not up to American hospital standards.
And try not to let all the hype make you scared. Yes, Nigeria can be very dangerous, but there are many people there who would love for you to have a wonderful experience. :-)

I had a Nigerian friend (female) that I worked with prior to going there for the first time. I asked her this same question because I had no idea what to bring. He had a big family (lots of siblings and nieces/nephews) living in the same house with him so I felt I should bring something for them. She told me hand bags for the women, TJ Max would have some nice, inexpensive ones.... and trendy, but inexpensive Tshirts for the men. Winter stuff is coming out and Tshirts this time of year are probably on clearance, you could buy some nice ones for a good price. They all loved the stuff! Anything from America they are going to love. I also brought watches for the parents. Nothing too expensive, just a nice matching set. They loved it.

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

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.

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

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!

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.

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!!

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.

My husband and I married at the Registry in Lagos, on Victoria Island. He had arranged everything for us. We paid the fee that day, also they asked for a "donation". Everyone in the family and our friends contributed. It all went to them. I didn't know what to expect. We had to have passports and fill a form as well. We came away with the official marriage certificate, and 2 "booklets"... kinda looks like a passport... with all of our personal info and family info in it.
I would suggest making sure you have a copy of the marriage certificate made while you are there so you can use it here. It was a fabulous wedding. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

Hi,
Sorry for your situation.
You need professional help. Not help from an bunch of folks online.
Contact Catholic Charities. Here is the website for the one in Los Angeles; http://catholiccharitiesla.org/
Contact a women's shelter. Here is the list for LA; https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=women%27s%20shelter%20los%20angeles%20ca
You need a lawyer.
Best of luck

Hello VJ,
I saw this thread in another region and thought it would be a good topic to discuss. You can call me Meesh and Hubby is Vic. We go by hashtag #TeamMicVic. (Cute right lol ).
Anyway we were married July 31st 2014. Did I say I just loove Vic! Not in a foolish little girl, naive way but in a been there done that, finally found my match kind of way. Guess what? Vic is about 10 yrs younger but we look good together we think. The age difference has not been an issue at all. Yes his Mom was a bit taken back but Vic lovingly explained to her that this is the 21st century and after all the disappointing past relationships with women his age, he was ready for a serious minded woman who wasn't only interested in his bank account or lack thereof if you will lol. Hnestly, I never thought I would date or marry someone 10 yrs younger but it has been the BEST experience by far. Vic says "Meesh you might be older chronologically, but the experiences ive passed thru here in Lagos makes me much older than you mentally" . Its true...im still a big baby in a grown woman kind of way. He pampers me and spoils me the way I need to be. His family and I get along super well. Age hasnt been an issue especially when u see your brother, cousin, uncle genuinely happy after so many failed relationships. Anyway back to the topic. Right before we landed I hustled to the restroom and freshened up. Fixed my hair, brushed, sprayed and changed into my sexy heels and skinny jeans. Vic (hubby) is FINE and I wanted to make sure I represented. So I get off the plane, go thru customs and began looking for this 5ft 11 , 230 pound, chocolate, with dimples hunk of a man, with arms like rambo lol. Finally I here someone shout "MICH" , I turn around and eyes light up and I scream like those contestants on the price is right. We ran to each other and locked lips right in front of everyobe. Vic isnt shy and I love that. This was myfirst indication that he was pleased with wat he saw, yes 10 yrs older and all. Who said being older is an issue? Not with us. Needless to say the chemistry was UNREAL. His friend drove the car and we held each othet so tight the whole ride back. Did I say butterflies like I felt in high school were runnning thru both of us. He looked at me and said Meesh , you are BEAUTIFUL. I love Vic. For the first time in my life im genuinely happy. Everything is transparent. We share face book, watsapp, bbm, viber passwords and accounts. Evertime I wake up one of my pics are posted on his wall. I went down this journey before but this time I finally got it right. #TeamMicVic!! For life!! (Sorry for any typos)

As far as what? Nigerian is like getting married here. You go to registry getting a marriage license to get married. You show up on your date to marry and you get married. You get marriage certificate. You have to bot be free to marry just like here. No different. Why are you asking us doesn't your fiance' know the laws to get married,. he would know better than we would.
The embassy wants to see a registry marriage certificate there are many registries through Nigeria. The most Popular of course is Ikoyi in Lagos band there's Abuja but many have married all over Nigeria.
Your fiance can start the process 21 days in advance of the day you want to wed by registering at the registry of your choice. Some need your BC, Passport info or a photocopy, Passport pic. every registry is different. You have to take gifts to registry, wines, juices, cookies, drinks, etc, prices differ also for ceremony. Your fiance' should start inquiring and do not mention he is marrying an American.

Sure you can apply early. Lately they been giving 2 year entry. But you could also be giving a 6 month entry. But please allow yourself some time for processing (I assume you already have passport). So give yourself a cushion of a month just in case).
Glad you are going you will so enjoy 9ja truly and your parents take them online and show them sites (banana island, Victoria island, Abuja). It's a picturesque beautiful place you will be treated like you are the Queen of America. Truly.

Thanks everyone!