I'm a white American traveling to Lagos for the first time. I'm familiar with some Nigerian culture and people. I speak a little Yoruba and pidgin.

What's it like arriving at Lagos airport? Anything I should know about customs, convenience fees, baggage? Is there public wifi? Cash exchange? How do I get from the airport into the city? Can I get a phone ahead of time that will work, or can I get one at the airport? What should I watch out for?

I've been eating vegetarian this year. I know most soups and sometimes stew will usually have meat of one kind or another. Any recommendations on what to look for to stay vegetarian? I eat rice, stew, dodo, or eba and veggie efo a lot.

Appreciate any help and insight Nairaland can provide 😁

Depends on how you look and also your age, I think.
You have to realise as an American they automatically think you have a lot of $, even if you really don't have.
So be mindful, no need to try to appear rich!

Good if you befriend a fellow traveler on the plane - a native. They'll give you ideas - appropriate amount tips and bribes to give and maybe lend you naira till you change some dollars in the lobby. As for phone, your helper will let you use his phone till you get yours, also there are carriers that you can use your phone anywhere in the world for a monthly fee.

Once you arrive and go to baggage area person/persons would come to try help you. Let one of them help you. They are known and monitored, it's also how they try to make a living, but still keep an eye out - don't overly trust anybody. You'd have to "tip" customs if you don't want them to ransack your bags.
Somehow find out in advance the right bribe amount.

Take one of the registered taxis that's registered to work at the airport and officially dispatched. You'd be safe. It's all quite safe - never mind the hype.

As for vegetarian food, good for you - you'd save money not eating meat. Simply order anything you want, rice, eba, dodo, and tell them not to put meat.

You'd enjoy your stay. Just go with the flow - don't try to solve Nigeria's corruption problem. "Tip" police officers where appropriate or necessary (of course in US that will land you in jail!).
Enjoy the culture shock and friendliness - Nigerians tend to like foreigners, especially westerners.

Great. Welcome on board. Truth be told, nothing much, except you have to fill this online pre entry to show Port Health: https://healthapp.ncdc.gov.ng/health-declaration-page/ , You also can get money exchanged by using ( SULAH BUREAU DE CHANGE) Just ask of them(counter) soon as you pass immigration and have been fully cleared. You find them inside the arrival, lastly, if you are going to be using the taxis, request for their id cards, betterstill you find them having it on their chest. Those ones are the registered drivers with the Airport. Wifi is open and available in the airport, connect on arrival. You can get a basic phone to make calls, sim cards cost 500Naira (Mtn, Vodacom,Glo, Request for the registered one, cos you need make calls, betterstill use wifi for whatsapp calls)

LagosTraveler:
I'm a white American traveling to Lagos for the first time. I'm familiar with some Nigerian culture and people. I speak a little Yoruba and pidgin.

What's it like arriving at Lagos airport? Anything I should know about customs, convenience fees, baggage? Is there public wifi? Cash exchange? How do I get from the airport into the city? Can I get a phone ahead of time that will work, or can I get one at the airport? What should I watch out for?

I've been eating vegetarian this year. I know most soups and sometimes stew will usually have meat of one kind or another. Any recommendations on what to look for to stay vegetarian? I eat rice, stew, dodo, or eba and veggie efo a lot.

Appreciate any help and insight Nairaland can provide 😁

The airport is city center , it is called Ikeja. so you have to be precise on your destination, prolly need get an accomodation on booking.com, Just do a booking. If you need further responses, i can assit you. Just drop them.


Yes, Prepare yourself prior, dont come to Nigeria to get those things(Phones, hotels, etc. )advised.


I do hope you enjoy your time here.

Also, Prepare that you may want to give out some little cash, just so you know. Not necessary tho, like a gesture for some little assistance at the airport.