Guide for a Newbie Coming to Lagos

If you didn’t grow up in Lagos, adjusting to the hustling and bustling life of the city may be difficult for you even if you are just to spend few days visiting, especially if you grew up in a calm city like Abuja or Akure in Nigeria.

People who are visiting Lagos for the first time or have never visited usually have different conceptions based on the stories they have garnered from various Lagosians and tourists they have met back at home and have once visited.

You will agree that sometimes, circumstances beyond your control will make you become a resident of Lagos or a visitor – business, new job, marriage or attending an event of a loved one.  Putting aside the stories you have heard, everyone can cope in Lagos, you just need to read our guide and learn from it.

·         Stay

If your travel budget is not too constraining, you may to lodge in hotels in highbrow areas like Victoria Island, Ikoyi and Lekki. The resorts in Lagos are also mostly sought after by tourists and first time visitors as most of them are located by the water side and provide top notch services to their guests. One can also say the water sport activities present in most resorts in Lagos is a major attraction. Inagbe Resort, La Campagne Tropicana, Tinapa Lakeside Hotel and Epe resort are some of the popular ones.

·         Eat

Finding a restaurant to eat in is not difficult. Many restaurants in Lagos provide both local and intercontinental dishes. It is very easy to locate a Chinese Restaurant especially on Lagos Island and places like Yaba and Ikeja on the mainland. Internationally well known restaurant, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has branches scattered all over Lagos.

·         Moving Around

Don’t take unlabeled buses. To be on a safer side, commercial buses painted yellow or BRT buses are better options, though they are couple of private cars and buses that pick up passengers at bus stops, patiently wait for a commercial one to take you to your destination.  A taxi is also a good or using taxi services like Easy Taxi or Uber is a great idea.

·         Shop

If you are particular about international brands, then visit malls like Ikeja City Mall, The Palms Lekki. Also explore the commercial markets around you. They can be overcrowded at times, but you will have a great shopping experience and get things at more affordable prices.

·         Safety Measures

Don’t move at night: Except you are really familiar with the area or you have a very good memory when it comes to roads, then you should stick with the day, at times even places you think you know so well looks different at night. Also avoid dark and lonely areas.

·         Currency

The currency spent in Nigeria is Naira with code NGN.

Hope you find these tips useful when you make your next trip to Lagos.

Welcome to Lasgidi!