City Rating: Lagos

Population: 21’000’000

Date of visit: January 2018

Attractions & sights: 1/5
Nightlife: 4/5
Safety: 2/5 (close to 1/5)
Infrastructure: 1/5
Low budget factor: $$$/5
Total: 👍/5

The city in a nutshell:

Lagos is African’s largest city. It’s chaotic, ugly, rough and dangerous as hell. Some people call it the worst city in the world and I absolutely understand why. This mega-city is hard work even for the seasoned traveller.

Where to stay:

Victoria Island. It’s the “safest” area in Lagos and most of the nightlife takes place there.

The Good:

Nightlife in Lagos is amazing and actually the best I have experienced in Africa so far. There are plenty of packed bars and nightclubs, and Nigerians definitely know how to party. Bars and nightclubs are also the only places in the city, in which you will meet white people. It’s simply too dangerous to walk on the streets if you’re an expat.

The Bad & The Ugly:

So, this is gonna take some time…

There is a reason why many people call Lagos the worst city in the world. I am going to give an incomplete list of all the dangers and annoyances that awaits you in Lagos.

• It’s ridiculously dangerous! While it is rather unlikely that a tourist will be kidnapped or murdered (this can happen though!), it is almost certain that one will make some bad experiences. Being attacked on the street for example is a realistic threat.
• Bribery! Policemen looking for bribes are common. Especially at night, they stop cars with white people in it to get money from them.
• Infrastructure is weak. The roads aren’t in good condition, and there are too many cars in the city so that one will spend a lot of time in traffic jam.
• Moreover, Lagos is an incredibly ugly city with trash everywhere. And I am speaking about the “good” parts of the city like Victoria Island or Lekki.

• Most of the ATMs don’t allow withdrawals larger than NAN 20’000 (~USD 55), which is a bit a pain in the ass when you always have to pay a commission to your bank for withdrawals abroad.
• Credit cards shouldn’t be used in Nigeria, as credit card frauds is rampant. If you use your card, you won’t be able to pay in Naira but in Dollars. The exchange rate from Nigerian banks is horrible, you will lose a lot of money.
• Last but not least, Murtala Mohammed International Airport is the worst airport I have ever been to.

If you go to Lagos make sure that you always have a local with you. Exploring the city alone is too risky, as you can read in my travel report about Nigeria.

 

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