Moving to Nigeria
In truth, very few expats relish the prospect of moving to Nigeria. Expats are normally posted to Nigeria under some form of career duress or strong financial enticement, and their accompanying families are typically unwilling participants in the relocation.
There is no doubt that Nigeria has a bad reputation when it comes to safety, with reports of crime, corruption and kidnapping in the press, and endlessly inventive 419 advance fee scams. That being said, Nigeria is currently rebranding itself under the slogan “Good people, Great nation”, an initiative in which local Nigerians attempt to give Africa’s most populous nation and its second most significant economy a facelift for the future.
Expats moving to Nigeria can find themselves pleasantly surprised by a few positive realities in the country.
The people, for one, are famously hospitable and friendly; and the diversity of cultures makes for consistently interesting discoveries begging to be stumbled upon by the more inquisitive expat.
Another frequently reported pro to expat life in Nigeria is the camaraderie and sociability of the expat community. Presuming one is living in a city such as Lagos or Abuja, there are many sports, social activities, restaurants and bars to enjoy, and expat social circles are mostly receptive to new members.
These positives are compensations for what is certainly a challenging expat destination to live and work in. Crime, pollution, corruption and a crumbling infrastructure are realities for which expats should prepare and for which they should make sure to be compensated for in their packages.
There is no doubt that Nigeria has a bad reputation when it comes to safety, with reports of crime, corruption and kidnapping in the press, and endlessly inventive 419 advance fee scams. That being said, Nigeria is currently rebranding itself under the slogan “Good people, Great nation”, an initiative in which local Nigerians attempt to give Africa’s most populous nation and its second most significant economy a facelift for the future.
Expats moving to Nigeria can find themselves pleasantly surprised by a few positive realities in the country.
The people, for one, are famously hospitable and friendly; and the diversity of cultures makes for consistently interesting discoveries begging to be stumbled upon by the more inquisitive expat.
Another frequently reported pro to expat life in Nigeria is the camaraderie and sociability of the expat community. Presuming one is living in a city such as Lagos or Abuja, there are many sports, social activities, restaurants and bars to enjoy, and expat social circles are mostly receptive to new members.
These positives are compensations for what is certainly a challenging expat destination to live and work in. Crime, pollution, corruption and a crumbling infrastructure are realities for which expats should prepare and for which they should make sure to be compensated for in their packages.


