Is it safe to take a job in Nigeria (Lagos)?

The level of safety in Lagos is definitely a concern for expats, and while the city and the country has a poor reputation (and not the best statistics to back it up); if you take the proper precautions, chances are you won't be victimised. I would suggest reading an interview with one Indian expat who currently lives in Lagos - "Interview with Anvaya", she speaks about how she had a certain idea of the city before she arrived, and then she sheds some light on what life in Lagos is actually like. She specifically addresses the issue of safety, and how and why her perceptions changes. 

All things considered though, it will be necessary to adjust your behavior accordingly. Make sure you're especially vigilante about managing your money (fraud is rampant), avoid travelling alone at night to areas you're unfamiliar with, and obtain the proper and necessary home security. 

Hi, Is your job in Lagos? I have been in Lagos for almost 3 years now, and it is perfectly safe to work! We have a 4 year old son and he goes to a regular school here. There are many Indians staying in Lagos, some for as long as 30 years. Indians are involved in many activities, we have a temple here, we celebrate all festivals. The school has 2000 students and provides quality education. Do let me know if you wish to know more about Lagos, as I am not sure whether your job is in Lagos or someplace else in Nigeria.

Hi To add to my previous comments on living in Lagos, security concerns have lessened considerably in Lagos, in the past 2-3 years. This is largely due to the efforts taken by the government in enforcing law and order. Some Indians do move out at night, some still find it best to avoid the same. As a new person to any country, it is better not to be too adventurous especially at night. During daytime, there is no issue, people move about freely. Ex pats usually do not take local transport or walk on the roads, so pls avoid the same. It is also advisable to keep a low profile and not flaunt your wealth/possessions/jewellery in front of the help. Also, better to treat them with respect, which sometimes we forget to. Slowly, as you start to get familiar with the city, you shall be more open and venture out more.

Hi friends, I am mani from india. I got a job opportunity with NESPAK nigeria Ltd at Abuja/Kano. Kindly guide about the safety and security points of view. how about indian foods. if we move around for work(site vist) is it any thread etc.

hi friends, I have just offered a job based at Abuja. My stay, car, driver's salary, gas, electricity charges, generator, medical insurance has been taken care of by my employer...and will be given and on top of that will be getting per month 1000 niara for my food and servant's salary....is it enough??

Hi Anon 13:07, I am a Nigerian living and working in Lagos. To be frank with you, N1000 per month for food for both you and your servant salary is just a big joke. you can spend that money on a plate of food at a go depending on where you eat. Mani,I tell you this is not the best time to consider any job in Kano though Abuja is manageable. Boko haram people are very much on rampage. I believe you have heard of their menace and they have no respect for anybody.

Hi I am considering a proposal for position of CFO in Lagos. Can someone tell me salary of CFO in Lagos.

Hi there, I was offered a job for USD5000 a month with accommodation and transport provided. Is this enough?

Guyes Pls do not evr think of visiting lagos as it is one of the most unsafe to be. Your driver , maid etc could be potential threat to you do not ever argue with them

Would greatly appreciate if some one pls guide me about the monthly food expenses in lagos and or Abuja, as I got a job there and rest will be taken care of.

I NEED TO GET THE INFO HOW MUCH SHALL I ASK FOR CFO POST IN LAGOS

I have been offered a contract with sea petroleum and gas groups of companies in warri, delta state nigeria does anyboby know this company. as they want US$720 up front

Hi Anonymous, I'd be wary of any company that expects you to pay money to them upfront. When negotiating a contract for an overseas assignment, especially in such as high-risk area as Nigeria's Niger Delta region, the company should be the one covering all your relocation costs, and this should include your visa, accommodation, flights etc...
I'd do a bit more investigation about the company if I were you.

i got offer from westex investment Nigeria ltd.? in Lagos. can any one tell me about company information.. and company is offering NIR 90,000/- and accommodation n transportation and electricity n gas n telephone.. is it good enough ?? and 500 $ p.m

i got offer from westex investment Nigeria ltd in lagos. with offer salary of 90,000 NIR and 600 $ and other benefits t like accommodation, transportation, gas, telephone etc, is it enogh ? and how about company and its working condition..

HI_ _ _ _ to all who see this post. I getting offer in Nigeria with steel Industry @ $6000.00 per month. Is it okey. Where is safe to work compare than Mumbai. If any one share his experiance most welcom

Dear All, I'm a British born Citizen live and work in the UK with Nigerian Parents. I have visited numerous countries around the world for business and pleasure. Like with every country you visit one would expect to take reasonable precautions to protect yourself and your own property. Even in the UK a relatively safe country, one would lock their car door and not leave their front door open. We have muggings, rapes, shootings and burglaries on a daily basis. People ask me about my trips to Nigeria and all I can say "everyday is an adventure". Providing nothing bad happens to you then it is like any other 3rd world poverty stricken country. Nigeria is unique in its own way, majority of the people are seriously poor, on the other hand a few are unbelievably rich (from legitimate bussineses, politics, oil and crime). Expect to see a few Rolls Royce, Porsches etc. being driven on the poorest of roads. As an Expat or any other person visiting Lagos if you stumbled on the floor expect at least 10 people to come and rush to your aid to help you up. Leave your hand dangling out of a car window and expect your watch to be snatched from it! Cost of living for an Expat, Lagos is very very expensive. 5 star hotels in Lagos (Eko, Hilton, Sheraton) service is good but I would compare to a bad 4* UK hotel. Prices approx £200 per night. Plenty of Chinese, Lebanese, European bars & Restuarants in Victoria & Ikoyi. Dinner price for a Club Sandwich & Fries, Heineken Beer, Soft drinks + coffee for 2 depending on the restuarant expect to pay about £70. I routinely make Mobile phone calls back to the UK and Nigeria approx £10 per day. Very good cinemas, soft drink, popcorn & tickets for 2 £30. Nigeria has a big night life, Bars & Clubs aplenty. Depends on the type of scence you want. Group of 4: 1 Bottle Of Brandy Hennesey, a few rounds of beer, 1 Bottle of Moet and some soft drinks could set you back to about £300 - £400. Plenty of local Expat bars. Bottle of beer typical price £3-£6. A number of Kentucky Fried Chicken springing up. Expect to pay around £20 for a 6piece bargain bucket meal. Only drink bottled water and check the seals are intact even in hotels. Avoid Salads, fruits etc as you will not be certain as to where the water came from. Avoid buying road side food (unless it is the traditional Suya / Barbecued meat and you have been advised that the seller is reputable). Avoid public transpor at all costs. Majority of the drivers are reckless and the cars are not roadworthy. Public transport small buses/taxis, beware of the occupants and the drivers prone to being robbed at gunpoint. Do not travel alone (day or night). Avoid the tempation of going of to explore the city by yourself. Carry a mobile phone with enough credit to make emergency calls. Carry a small amount of money on yu at all times (for bribes, shakedowns and emergencies). I would avoid using a foreign based credit card in any establishment. If you need to: ensure chip & pin and do not hand the card over to anybody. Plenty of VISA & Mastercard ATMS (but will dispense in Naira). Do not hang around the ATMS take your money and go quickly and smartly. Consider the emergency services as non existent. Beware of Police or people in official uniforms. Most of the times they will be looking to shake you down. If stopped at a check point, remain calm and polite do not argue, please have in your mind that you need to leave the checkpoint ASAP. The car behind you may not stop and the police shoot first and MAY ask questions later. Jobs...unless employed directly from an organisation in your country consider any job offer from Nigeria as false (some can be true). Most will either ask for a fee of some amount, visa processing, advance payment for driver, accomodation etc. Or extreme cases when you arrive in Nigeria there is no job/company at all and somehow you will be asked to give someone money to get you back home. Beware of all dating sites sending pictures, ignore all those people who have been emailing you for over 8 months - 2 years and never asked you for money. The shakedown will come. The majority of people have no jobs in Nigeria and there is no welfare system. Idle Nigerians see foreigners as an easy touch. Ignore all paypal, Western Union, Certified bank cheques requests. Football is huge in Nigeria (PremierShip matches are always shown on Cable TV). To Sum Up Lagos is a vibrant city with friendly warm people. Expect to see abject poverty and also obscence opulence. If you want the Expat life style Lagos is extremely expensive. If you enjoy Bars, Clubs, open music venues one of the best places to be, but can be pricey. Local infrastructure is poor: Roads can be bad with dangerous potholes, reckless drivers, no street lights or good road signs and public transport is to be avoided. Crime is plenty. Banking transactions are good (Visa/Mastercard facilities) be wary of fraud though. Do not display your wordly possesions when in public (IPAD, watches, Iphone, Laptops etc). Be wary of au pair jobs and internet dating romaces and sales. If you have a problem in Nigeria majority will come to assist you with good intentions but not with the know how. Overall a very friendly society let dow by poor governance. If yuo have any questions you can email me and I would try to answer: tundeokunoren@yahoo.com

Dear, I have go throw all suggestion its quit realstic but i have to tell you i have offer of job in nigeria asa Agency Manager in insurance job is it really these kind of job in nigeria or it may fake even name is very famous co. they offer me around 4000 USD monthly even all facility how to check it may real can you suggest me.. Thank and Regards , Ravindra India

has anyone heard of or had any dealings with Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, i have been offered a job by them and whould like to know if any one knows any thing about them or has wokred or working for them ?

How much is the cost of living for a family of 5; 3 adults and 2 school going kids. Need the full cost in Nairo for food, grocessory items, school fee, transportation/gasoline, servant, daily dairy items (meat, cheese, milk etc), once a month outing, fruits, some leisure - cinema, sports etc(excluding accomodation, driver, electrictiy, water etc which will be taken care of by the company). Please coul dyou respond back immediately. Need information on priority. The standard of living I would want to maintain is "Good".

It baffles me when people starts posting crap without confirmation,I am a canadian and have lived and worked in lagos for 5 years now and its relatively safe compared to most american cities I have been to so pls stop giving nigerians a bad name,there are bad people everywhere on earth,if you are giving a contract,checkout the company first before picking the job or go through some of your people living in nigeria,I am sure that there are more than 20 thousand indians in lagos alone,and if it is not safe they won't be here

hi i got a job in DAG motercycle industries Nigeria limited, they are offering me 90,000 nira every month, accomidation and transport facility they will provide. But lot of peple sayixg Lagos is unsafe place for doing job, so i want to know is it right or not?

hi, im relocating to live in VI(Lekky) behind four points hotel...and i want to know the security level in that area... any advice...

Hi, I got a job offer in Nigeria, lagos is there any one who can guide me with regards to monthly expenditure including house rent, food, travelling & entertainment. Thanks.

I was offered also to work with Drillog PDL. But my research show that the position of people I talk with was different from the officers list. The syndicate might have use the officers name to gain confidence on prospective victim. Pls be aware and carefull in dealing with people you don't know. They were demanding a USD750 upfront for STR visa processing. I have questioned this to them but I got a cold answer and I feel shiever around my spine.

Do not pay any money to anyone upfront for a visa if offered a job. THe company offering you a job will be willing to get your visa for you at a cost to them and not you!!! I am a Nigerian and a qualified accountant living in the UK and trying to get a job through ads for vacancies in Nigeria has not been fruitful and friends in Nigeria have informed me in that most of the jobs online are not there or will never be offered to genuine applicants as they only offer it to family and friends. It is relatively safe if you know what you are doing and like people have advised, you should not go to places you are not familiar with and don't panic. Always stay in control or show that you are in control all the time when you are out there. Be careful of offers online!!! I wish you all the best out there!

Hi All, have got offer from SIMBA group based at lagos. Any one pls let me know what world be the salary for a Manager - sales. Regards, Ashish +91 9918678644

Hi friends,I have been offered a job in Nigeria Lagos but I am confused because they are demanding for visa and air fare from me and it will be refundable when reaching the place.please suggest me it is genuine or not

I got job in spar hypermarket artee group lagos it is safe place. pl some one suggest me

hi I got a offer escarvos (chevron) with the tomba resources will you please suggest me

Hi there,

What kind of resources are you looking for exactly? For general information our page on Moving to Nigeria is a good start. From there you can go to different pages by clicking on them on the bar on the left side of the page (eg accommodation, healthcare, cost of living, etc).

Good luck with your new job.

Meagan