Transport and Driving in Nigeria

Driving in Nigeria, like most of an expat's experience in this seemingly chaotic country, is challenging; it demands the patience of a Chinese executioner, the awareness of an omnipotent force and the quick reflexes of the fastest feline you can think of. In short, it’s dangerous, painstaking and the traffic, congestion and bad practice of those behind the wheel has made it a well-known scourge to the foreigners living and working in the nation.  

 

Even the Nigerian non-governmental organisation Volunteers from Safety Alliance cautions drivers to “remember that every road user is mad”, and to believe that “you are the only sane one”.

 

Furthermore, though public transit is available, it is best avoided if you value your life and limbs. 

 

Most expats lured abroad to a posting in this hardship destination are provided with a car and driver, but still, it's best to familiarise yourself with the rules of the road and the common laws that undermine them.

 

 

Public transport in Nigeria does, in fact, exist. Though, it's definitely not safe, absolutely not reliable and most certainly not recommended, if one would like to arrive at their destination in one piece. 

 

Even though Nigeria boasts the largest surfaced road network in West Africa, the highways and thoroughfares are deteriorating 

and unfortunately claim a high rate of traffic fatalities.

 

The buses and minibuses (group taxis of sort) are poorly maintained, are overcrowded, and travel at high speeds – factors that combine to form a recipe for disaster. Apart from these yellow taxis of Lagos and the blue and white ones of Port Harcourt, one other mode of transit exists in Nigeria.

 

The Okadas, 50cc minibikes that hurtle down highways weaving in and out of traffic at breakneck speeds, regularly transport locals and their wares to and from a given location. While watching a precariously perched passenger clutching their mattress or chickens, holding on helmet-less for dear life, may seem strange at first, it won't be long before it becomes part of the humdrum of normal life.

 

All said and done, these are apparently the fastest and one of the cheapest ways to get to where you are going; but it's strongly recommended, upon the assumption that you want to get where you’re going alive, that you don’t even consider it. These vehicles have been banned in the capital city of Abuja, and are outlawed in Lagos after 10pm. 

 

 

Most companies provide their expat employees with a car, a driver and in some cases, a security escort. Expats are allowed to, and do, drive; however, both foreigners and locals do prefer to employ professionals to take on the Nigerian traffic; jams or “go-

slows” can last hours and some commuters will even leave the house as early as 4am to avoid congestion. Additionally, instances of kidnapping and armed robbery have been reported, and are not points of threat to be taken lightly.

 

Foreigners are advised to make sure that if they are being collected by a driver, that they do not give their name or their employer’s name, until they have verified their driver’s identification. A friendly face and plenty of distractions may lull one into thinking they have climbed into the right vehicle, only to find they are being held up, relieved of all their cash and delivered right back to the pick-up point.

 

Be sure to negotiate terms in your contract that address transport, if they do not already exist.
 

 

International drivers licenses are not recognised in this wild wild West African nation. Foreigners are required to have a Nigerian drivers licence, and most employers will make the necessary arrangements.

 

Additionally, do note that second-hand car and spare-part purchase in Nigeria have the rap for being certifiably atrocious. Quality and failure to comply with basic manufacturing standards do not make this a viable option at all. If your employer is not providing you a car and you do not want to purchase new, a cheaper and much more accessible option would be to import your own vehicle, with lots of spares, extra oil and perhaps even an extra battery.

 

 

Elevated motorways circle the cities, exposing the ever expanding mass of tin roofs’ of the shacks below. Traffic is jammed up tight, with police check points that further back up for miles, causing traffic or ‘go slows’ to remain in place for hours.

 

Not to mention, Nigerian traffic police can only actively patrol under 13 percent of the country’s road system, and even this sparse force is often pegged as perpetrators who often target foreigners for extortion and arrest. Expats have reported being prompted for a “dash” or bribes on a numerous occasions. 

 

Head on collisions, out of control Okadas, wayward animals and pedestrians can also make commuting feel like the ultimate endurance test.

 

The best advice for travelling is give yourself plenty of time to get anywhere; it could take hours to reach a destination that you can see out of your car window.

 

Allow common sense to prevail, stay away from volatile areas and don’t travel after dark.