Nigeria

Nigeria hits you with big-city energy and warm hospitality the moment you land, whether it’s in Lagos, Abuja, or Port Harcourt. Expect bustling crowds, loud music, and traffic that seems to move in every direction at once. It’s exciting, but you’ll enjoy it more with a bit of preparation.

Take basic urban safety precautions: avoid walking alone at night, keep valuables out of sight, and use trusted transport options rather than random street taxis. Stick to well-reviewed accommodation where security is taken seriously, and always have a reliable way to contact your host or hotel.

Staying online really helps. Activate a Hello eSIM before you arrive so your phone connects as soon as you touch down, letting you share your live location, message your driver, and check directions without hunting for a local SIM or paying roaming fees. Save key addresses (hotel, embassy, airport) in your maps offline too.

You’ll find Nigerians are generally friendly and curious, so a few polite phrases like "Good morning" and "Thank you" go a long way. Combine that openness with street smarts, and you’ll be able to relax into the rhythm of the country’s markets, nightlife, and coastal sunsets.

Nigeria is a paradise for travellers who love bold flavours and street food. Start with jollof rice – smoky, tomato-rich rice often served with fried plantain and grilled chicken – and suya, thinly sliced, spice-rubbed beef or chicken grilled over open flames and sold from roadside stands. For breakfast, try akara (fried bean cakes) with bread or moin-moin (steamed bean pudding).

Food hygiene is important. Follow the classic rule: boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it. Choose busy stalls where food is cooked to order, and drink only bottled or filtered water. If you have a sensitive stomach, start with simple dishes and avoid salads washed in tap water.

In cities like Lagos and Abuja, mid-range restaurants might charge around 5,000–12,000 NGN (roughly 4–10 USD) for a main, while street food can be just 500–1,500 NGN (0.40–1.20 USD). Use Hello’s budget tracking to log what you spend in naira, so you can see how much of your daily budget is going to food versus transport or activities.

If you’re travelling with friends, many restaurants serve shared platters – perfect for sampling more dishes – and you can use Hello’s expense splitting to settle bills fairly without awkward math at the table.

Moving around Nigeria, especially in Lagos, takes patience and planning. Traffic can be intense and unpredictable, so always add extra time to your schedule. For most visitors, the safest and easiest option is to use reputable ride-hailing apps or taxis arranged through your hotel, rather than hopping into unmarked street cabs.

Within cities, you’ll find:

• Private taxis and ride-hailing – comfortable and safer, but more expensive.
• Buses and shared minivans – cheap, busy, and confusing for first-time visitors.
• In coastal Lagos, boats and water taxis that can bypass gridlocked roads.

Short city rides might cost 1,500–4,000 NGN (1.20–3.50 USD) depending on traffic and distance. For longer intercity trips, trains or domestic flights often beat road travel for comfort and security. Whatever you choose, confirm the price before you start and keep small bills handy.

Use Hello trip planning to map out key journeys (airport to hotel, hotel to meeting spots, day trips) and store booking details. Paired with a Hello eSIM, you’ll have live navigation and the ability to share your route with travel companions, which is particularly useful if you split up and later regroup somewhere like Victoria Island, Lekki, or Abuja’s city centre.

Nigeria’s currency is the Nigerian naira (NGN), and cash is still very important, especially outside major cities. In Lagos and Abuja, many hotels and larger restaurants accept cards, but smaller shops and street vendors are often cash-only. Keep some small notes for everyday purchases, but avoid carrying large sums or flashing money in crowded areas.

Daily budgets vary widely. A budget traveller might get by on around 35,000 NGN (about 27–30 USD) per day using simple guesthouses, street food, and public transport, while mid-range travellers often spend closer to 100,000 NGN (75–85 USD) with nicer hotels, restaurant meals, and frequent taxis. If you love nightlife or upscale dining, costs can rise quickly.

Use Hello’s budget tracking to set a daily limit in naira and log expenses as you go. It’s a simple way to see when you’re overspending on late-night suya or extra taxi rides. When travelling with friends or family, Hello’s expense splitting is handy for shared hotel rooms, car hires, or group tours – you can note who paid what and settle up later.

ATMs are common in big cities but can be scarce or unreliable in rural areas. Withdraw cash during the day from machines attached to banks, stay discreet, and store backup cash separately from your main wallet.