This unofficial Lagos (Nigeria) guide is for my JJCs (jolly just come), expatriates, tourists, business travelers, male or female foreigners that got lured in by e-love, and most of all, the Nigerians that have been gone for a minute, ijgb (I just got back), here are a few things to note in order to survive Lagos living.
Lagos is an amazingly vibrant city to live in or visit for a short time, but the realist in me needs to level with folks that want the best out of Lagos, so I figured this guide will help future visitors keep your wits sharp.
Before Leaving Your Departure Point
Be sharp, pack smart, and download Google Maps or Maps.me along with the offline Lagos map on the app. This will come in handy when navigating the streets of Lagos, more so when your data provider inevitably has network downtime. The offline version can keep your movement tracked while on the road, and can also give you directions without an internet connection just in case your hired ride is taking you through sketchy routes. Also, abeg (please), make at least 3 copies of all important documents.
At the Airport
Please note that most of the airport officials are not your friends. Facts. Do not overshare, do not allow a random stranger help you carry your bags…even if the person looks familiar. Just say thank you and keep your eyes on everything. Be polite and straight to the point with the officials. Over familiarity allows room for disrespect, and you really do not want to get in trouble for making a foolish joke.
Mobile companies have their kiosks at the arrival area, go to them if you need a local sim card, data or help calling somebody. Once in a while the wifi service at the airport works, but best to get a sim card for safety.
Getting out of the Airport
Do not use the airport taxis (way too pricey, and too many horror stories there), keep it simple and safer with Uber or Bolt (I detest bolt, to be honest…terrible customer service, but usually the fastest to arrive). There are way too many ‘one chance’ (a situation where you get scammed) airport stories and that is not the way to start your trip. Make sure to have your uber/bolt payment method be your card in order to avoid sketchy situations with the driver, but some Bolt drivers will not pick you up if cash is not the mode of payment. Also make sure to track your ride on your chosen map app (get both maps.me and google offline maps), some of these drivers like to take the long scenic route for extra cash or nefarious reasons.
Law Enforcement and Driving Safety
Surviving law enforcement is a sketchy balance, and this Unofficial Lagos Guide would be remiss without addressing this.
AVOID ROLLING DOWN YOUR WINDOW WHEN ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS STOP YOU!
Make sure you always have your vehicle and driver’s document up to date and beyond reproach. For the least hassle approach, make copies of the vehicle documents and have them taped to the lower left side of your windshield and show your driver’s license from the safety of your locked and wound-up car’s window. They will pretend to not be able to hear you, do not fall for it.
If you are not aversed to bribing them, that is the most efficient method that many men prefer.
Stay friendly and polite with the officers, but make sure to keep the conversation in a friendly enough bracket. If you get stopped at night, immediately turn on inner lights, but keep windows wind up and car locked. Politely gesture to where your car documents are taped and hold driver’s license against the window for them to confirm it’s legitimacy. If they insist on seeing it, make sure you have many copies made of your license, wind the window down slightly to slide the document through. They may not return it. If things start to go a bit funky, immediately do a live video for your social media account to make sure enough people are aware of your current status and help can come through.
Also note that Police and SARS may decide to have your vehicle thoroughly searched (usually happens to men) and they have weapons on them. In a situation like this, stay calm, park vehicle, be respectful, keep windows up, vehicle locked, and DO NOT GET OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE. I’ve seen many get physically assaulted by officials. Some are a bit inebriated and it is better to err on the side of extreme caution. In my case, I simply park my car, move my seat into a sleeping position and wait them out…they usually move on to a different vehicle. For men that have experiences with them, please let know what works best for you. SARS are a differently level of terribleness, so be safe!
I know this sounds very extreme, but I’ve lived in Lagos for about 10 years now and the stories I hear from many incidents or my own experiences, are terrible. They are usually much nicer to women, but stay vigilant!
When in traffic, always wind your windows up and keep cars locked. Also never leave bags, laptops or phones in easy to see from outside spaces. Usually best to keep important items in the trunk of vehicle or beneath car seats. Get an earphone for your phone and keep it safe in the vehicle’s compartment if you do not need immediate access to it.
Please take uber or the like if you plan to drink. Way too many lives are cut short by reckless driving on barely lit streets. Please do not drink and drive or drive while inebriated.
FOR THOSE GETTING AROUND IN UBER – If stopped by officials and the situation escalates, immediately make sure you separate yourself from the situation ASAP and let them know you are merely an uber passenger! They will first assume you are the owner of the vehicle and try to make you pay for whatever the trumped up charge is.
Traffic & Transportation
Traffic is a norm in Lagos but there are a few tricks & hacks to getting around the city which you’ll adjust to once you figure out your routine and way around Lagos. Please rely heavily on max okada (bike app, best for day time movements), uber or similar transportation app rides to get around, and if you’re tempted to get on the danfos (local bus) for fun, resist the temptation! Way too many people get robbed on those. The bus rapid transit system (BRT) can be of help when going short distances and your destination is not deeply located in an area. There are also bike transport apps that are most efficient for getting around Lagos traffic struggle like Max Okada, Opay, etc…I prefer Max Okada. For the most part, I use Uber for nights out when a bit of drinking will happen.
In traffic, you don’t have to worry about hunger, Lagos streets are lined with hawkers for drinks, even beer and snacks to nibble on. Quick bit, don’t buy gadgets in traffic. They’re most likely stolen
Nightlife/Clubs
This can’t be an “unofficial guide to Lagos” without going over the insane nightlife in lasgidi. It can be mad fun but please, your safety is key. Hang out with people you trust and make sure to have a buddy system when roaming the party streets of Lagos at night, the police, most especially, are not your friends (yes, yes, there are a few outliers, but please be very polite and wary when addressing them). Too many horror stories of terrible incidents with law enforcement officers at night around party areas…even around affluent neighborhoods.
Our friends at Nothing To Do In Lagos are THE PLUG for fun things to do to keep you entertained in Lagos. Make sure to follow them on instagram or download their app to stay plugged in.
Here are a few popular nightlife spots in Lagos ( I live on the Island, so my list is VERY biased)
Quick tip, most clubs get mad packed by 2am, so get in earlier to lock your space down and dance comfortably.
R.S.V.P – 9 Eletu Ogabi St, Victoria Island 101001, Lagos, Nigeria- weekend nights by the backyard pool is always a good time with a squad (make sure to reserve a spot early). Cocktails here are good and pricey. The music is mostly house music with a few splashes of Nigerian music vibe. You will most likely run into many familiar faces of other IJGB travelers or old local friends. The restaurant here is also one of my favorites, pricey, but consistently good.
Quilox– located at 873, Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos-State. The djs here are always LIT. It is almost always packed here and finding a corner to comfortably dance is pretty difficult, but if you’re able to find a dancing corner, you will probably dance till dawn here. If you have the cash to splurge, come with a fun group and get one of their vip rooms. There are usually celebrities here, so keep your eyes peeled…sometimes they perform too.
Style & luxury meets partying in this bar & restaurant. Fun place to hang with squad, meet celebrities every now and then and catch up with premium entertainment
BarBar – 15 Victoria Arobieke St, Lekki Phase I, Lagos, Nigeria – for a pumping bar experience in Lekki 1 that serves well as a fun stop over spot before heading to a club at 2 am, definitely order their combo option of sliders + cocktail.
Danfo Bistro – 2 Alexander Rd, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria – Friday nights at Danfo bistro is usually lit with a fun squad at the rooftop area. Their cocktails here are tasty and generously sized, but also a good vibe with a bottle of beer and good conversations with friends and chill music in the background. The restaurant here is pretty legit with their twist on popular Nigerian dishes. The portions are also pretty healthy.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjf6lwuj6FH/
Bolivar – Plot B20 Wole Olateju Cres, Eti-Osa, Lekki, Nigeria – the home for the young and free. Wednesday nights here are invite only for the ‘secret society’ so don’t bother going if you don’t have the password for the night. Thursday nights are open mic nights and a night of beer may lead to a house party till 7 in the morning. Shisha here is a must. The scene here is really chill with the hammocks and cabanas by the water with the Lekki/Ikoyi brigde looking pretty over it.
Bheerhugz– They have lounges in Surulere, Ikeja & Lekki
The lounge is a friendly & cozy space to be with occasional celebrity guest appearances. You can also host private parties here
Fela shrine– 2 Nerdc Rd, Agidingbi, Ikeja. The best night to be had in Lagos is here. Wear dancing shoes and comfortable clothes for an epic night. Be ready to dance like no is watching, because no one really is. For my islanders, just take uber and make your life easy because parking here is a serious matter without a personal driver.
Thursdays (free) and Sundays (N500 fee) are a must to experience Femi or Seun Kuti’s live perfomances that make for an epic night in Lagos. Be a bit adventurous and try out Skoochies (pot mixed with cocktail) with a plate of goat meat (asun) or indomie and egg.
It is a mostly free and an open air entertainment center with a museum to showcase the life & impact of the legend, Fela.
It also hosts performances from his sons and guest artists.
For those keen on visiting a strip club, SilverFox, is the most popular one on the Island. 25 Akinogun Street, Off New Market Road Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria
Weather
Lagos is hot/humid with occasional rainfalls generally between February and November. December and January is usually dry and breezy, but summer is pretty much the standard in Lagos. SPF and deets are a must.
Beaches
Lagos is home to a number of sandy beaches including private beach resorts. For the easiest to access, clean, and always a vibe to be at, go to the Landmark Beach in Oniru (2k entry fee). I also love that parking here is almost never a problem, a gem in Lagos!
They have loads of food joints there, and even a KFC in the Landmark compound and the last time I visited, we were able to take it to the beach.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3XVCxQlwKE/
For a more private beach house experience, Ilashe has loads of beach houses to rent for the day (see my post on Ilashe Private Beach for the beach house most people like, just don’t use their boat service).
My PoP Beach Club Video (definitely due for a video update):
There’s a new beach resort in Eleko that offers pick up and drop service Jara Beach Resort, Folu Storms recently made a video on her experience there:
Tarkwa Bay (click on link to read my post about Tarkwa and how to get there) is also a good one to visit that constantly gets upgraded and steadily gets pricier to rent a hut every time I visit. Best for a Sunday full day picnic visit with friends (bring your own food and drinks with everything you need). Those that like to surf can also get some decent waves here very early in the morning. Hit up Alex – 08054756624 for surf lessons or to rent his boards.
Owambe Party
Make sure to experience a proper Owambe, the more exclusive the better as it can get ridiculously crowded and sketchy otherwise. Many Lagosians are guilty of ‘mo gbo, mo ya’ activities (party crashers). The music, the overwhelming waves of good traditional Nigerian food and continental options are mind blowing…let’s not get into the desert and drink stations. Some of the best ones have after-party set up from 6pm till dawn for an almost concert like experience for the younger crowd.
For the ladies that love to slay in high heeled shoes, make sure to pack comfortable change of shoes for when the after-party dj’s set starts. Some take it up a few notches by having live performances from popular artists.
Make sure you don’t miss out on the small chops, ask for a plate of Jollof and moi moi, or try out my standard fare of Abula (amala, gbegiri, and ewedu, with fried stew and assorted meats).
The most lit Owambe parties are usually wedding parties and the best ones happen in December/January.
Also, phones tend to go missing a lot at owambe parties, so do not be careless even at the most exclusive parties! Never leave personal items unattended.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B337X_qp_mx/
Social Fitness
There are a decent number of active leagues in Lagos that keep the body fit and an easy way to make friends with people.
Bringing Netball Back – Co-ed – discontinued
The Socialiga – Seems like a Co-ed league (but not played as frequently as the 2 above)
The Nigerian Rugby League – men only
