Safety and Cost of Living in Nigeria

Hi Archna,

Safety is a major concern for expats moving to Nigeria. Many embassies like those of the UK and US advice their citizens to avoid all but essential travel to the country.

However, there are also many expats living in Nigeria who say that despite reportrs and crime statistics, they feel fairly safe.

Regardless, Nigeria is not as safe as most destinations. Burgalaries, petty theft and car jackings are common throughout the country. Expats and anyone unfamiliar with the country should take safety precautions. 

Read the Safety in Nigeria page for more information. 

With regards to expenses in expat life, Nigeria is really expensive, especially when it comes to accommodation. For most expats this is provided by their employer. In abuja the average one-bedroom place costs about NGN 3,000,000 per year.

Most expats also hire a driver to transport them around the country, as it is much safer than attempting to manouvre the street by ones self.

The Expat Arrivals Cost of Living in Nigeria page should hopefully give you a clear picture on expenses expats incur in Nigeria.

Best of luck with the move. 

Thanks Shantalie. I've heard that lagos and abuja are better cities though. Can I ask whether Ibadan would be the same in terms of number of expats around?

Hi Archna,

I can't give you any figures on the amount of expats living Ibadan but you are right to believe that the expat population will be less that in Lagos or Abuja.

However, the expat community in Ibadan is growing progressivley, as are the facillities there to cater for expats. For example, there are now to international schools in the city. 

Best of luck

Thanks :)

my company wants to offer me $50k to settle and a salary of $60 to relocate to lagos office. It will only be me, no spouse or kids. Will this be enough for me to ascertain safe apartment and is $60k enough for me to live comfortably and safe? i'm coming from U.S. thank you.

Hi Mahesh,

Thast sounds like a decent salary and the fact the accommodation, transport and most of your school fees and flights home are covered make this a pretty good package.

However, you need to figure out if this is enough to maintain a good quality for yourself. This will really depend on your tastes and preferences, and the type of thing you enjoy doing. Use the Cost of Living in Nigeria page as a guide.

Obviously, as you are moving overseas the company should compensate you and you should receive more than you would at home. Furthermore they should cover the cost of your visa/family members visas. 

Hope this helps.

Shantalie

since you are in us, first find a nigeria friend that will relate you to his family back in nigeria. with that, you are covered. Things are very expensive and as well as cheap in nigeria, it depend on who is leeding you.

Hi Shantalie, hoppe you are doing well! I am considering a job offer with a not for profit in the role of "CFO". They are offering me US$50K (tax free) + furnished accommodation + car +driver + 75% of school fee for 2 children. In addition air fares for me and my family for arrival, later once in a year for home visit. Do you suggest this offer should be acceptable? Many Thanks, Mahesh

Hi, I ma offered a job salary not fixed in nigeria, city not know I wish to know safest city, cost of living, what salary should i accept with other benifits, and also are we permitted to send the money to india what we earn or no. please help me rahul

Hi i might be relocating to your country and wondere what the guns laws are .Can you own a gun if you have a residents visa .

Hi. Can you also tell me soemthing on Onne. i could not find much out on internet. How safe is the place. and do you need a car to drive around the place or any public transport is available

@Shantalie.. Hi! Can you tell me whether its possible to work in Lagos or in Nigeria in general as a Freelancer in any field? If yes then what sort of visa is needed and how it can be applied for? Does one need a local sponsor for every type of employment? Cheers! ... BRDC

@Shantalie... Hi! Can you tell me whether one can work in Lagos/Nigeria as a Freelancer in any field? If yes, then can you let me know under which visa category it is allowed and what's the procedure for obtaining visa? Does one require a local sponsor for even this type of occupation? What will the level of earning need to be to break even in Lagos?

Hi! I am a Nigerian living in Cape town, S.A. I have read some of the questions above and had to comment on the security issues being raised. Born and schoolled in Nigeria but travelled and lived in other countries also. I think NIgeria is a pretty safe place. Stick to the basic security rules of a third world country and I am sure you will be pretty fine. Avoid unnecessary night outting alone, make friends with colleagues and neighbours, seek advice from locals before going to strange places to know the rules that apply. Nigerians are generally very very nice and accommodating people as long as you don't take them for fools or take their niceness for granted. I can refer you and open to advice you more on my country. All the best.