I travel to Lagos 3 times a year for work and hate it. When arriving at murtula muhammed airport you instantly realise that you have just entered a world totally different to UK.
The place smells pretty bad and there is rubbish everywhere, i mean literally everywhere. You cannot avoid it. You think of the pressure we are put under in the UK to comply with enviromentally friendly regulations etc after visiting Lagos you soon begin to think whats the point, the amount of pollution created by Lagos warps it to a relatively insignificant issue. Theres enough rubbish on the streets and roads of Lagos to fill every litter bin in the UK one thousand times i am sure.
There are huge holes in the middle of all the roads. You have to be driven everywhere as if you don't know where all the holes are you could have a bad accident. The roads are so dangerous and conjested that you have to allow hours for travel. Every journey is a nightmare as you narrowly avoid collisions, cars cutting in from every angle. Black smoke bellows from poorly maintained trucks, lorries and cars. Most of the vehicles are terribly un-road worthy for instance having to pull over when it rains as they don't have wind screen wipers. Your lucky to find a lorry with all of its wheels!! People are hanging off the back and sides of taxis, they are battered yellow minibuses rammed full of people.
Everyone smells and it can make you feel quite sick.
A white person in Nigeria is a target for all, unless your constanty around the upper crust of society any form of gesture will expect to be repayed in naira. Its best to do things urself trust me. A safe hotel will cost you $300. We stay in a compound, you have to bolt urself in at night seperate from the living room etc incase of home invasions. There is a hacksaw under the bed to cut your way throught the bars of the bedroom window should they choose to flush you out by torching the place.
There are small children as young as 2 or 3 begging for money on highways where traffic has backed up, walking inbetween HGV'S and cars, their parents eagerly waiting by the side of the road.
The general attitude is "this is nigeria" when things get stolen or things don't work... Its a shame because just settle for poor everything instead of trying to fix it.
On an upside the Lagos country club is brilliant fun and there are some night clubs but you can never fully relax. Previous comments of it being family friendly 4 out of 5?? ease of getting around 4 out of 5?? its all trash... you can't do anything safely and shouldn't be out after dark. Lagos is hell.
The strange thing is when you go to abuja you miss all things you grow to hate about Lagos.... You feel deflated and bored... Lagos is a buzzing place full of energetic people. It never stops and surely is one of the most amazing cities. I wouldn't advise travelling to Lagos unless you have a good sense of humour and laugh in face of danger!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
Advantages: CLEAN, LOW CRIME, GOOD TOURIST ATTRACTION, STATE OF THE ART INFRASTRUCTURE Disadvantages: RELATIVELY EXPENSIVE AND A DEVELOPING ENETERTAINMENT SCENE
dabellaq 20.07.2007 ·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Abuja (Nigeria)
Advantages: Hospitable people, Interesting tourist attractions to see, Potential business opportunities Disadvantages: Lack of publicity, Incorrect Image, Ignored tourism potential
Emrahsenel 16.09.2001 ·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of General: Nigeria
Are you the manufacturer / provider of Lagos (Nigeria)? Click here
Oct 5th, 2007
very helpful by (40%):
helpful by (60%):
