Lagos, Nigeria - Complete City Guide

🌟 Overview

Lagos, Nigeria's economic powerhouse and most populous city, is rapidly emerging as an unexpected yet compelling destination for adventurous digital nomads. This sprawling metropolis of over 20 million people pulses with entrepreneurial energy, making it Africa's startup capital and a hub of innovation. From the bustling streets of Lagos Island to the upscale neighborhoods of Victoria Island and Ikoyi, the city offers a unique blend of traditional African culture and modern business dynamism.

While Lagos may not offer the polished nomad infrastructure of Lisbon or Bali, it compensates with authentic experiences, incredibly affordable living costs, and access to one of the world's fastest-growing economies. The city's tech scene is booming, with numerous fintech startups, creative agencies, and international companies establishing their African headquarters here.

Best for: Adventurous nomads, entrepreneurs, those interested in emerging markets, startup founders looking to expand into Africa, and nomads seeking authentic cultural immersion at budget-friendly prices.

Key highlights:

• Ultra-affordable cost of living
• Vibrant startup and tech ecosystem
• Rich cultural experiences and music scene
• Gateway to West African markets
• Warm, welcoming local community
• Year-round warm weather

Best time to visit: November to March [dry season] offers the most comfortable weather with less humidity and minimal rainfall.

📍 Quick Facts

• Population: ~21 million [metropolitan area]
• Language[s]: English [official], Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Nigerian Pidgin
• Currency: Nigerian Naira [₦] - 1 USD ≈ 750-800 NGN [rates fluctuate]
• Time zone: West Africa Time [WAT] - UTC+1
• Climate overview: Tropical climate with two seasons - wet [April-October] and dry [November-March]. Average temperature 25-32°C [77-90°F] year-round

💰 Cost of Living

Monthly estimates:

Accommodation:

• Budget [shared apartment, mainland]: $150-300 USD / €140-280 EUR / £125-250 GBP
• Mid-range [1-bed apartment, decent area]: $400-800 USD / €370-750 EUR / £330-670 GBP
• Luxury [serviced apartment, VI/Ikoyi]: $1,200-2,500 USD / €1,100-2,300 EUR / £1,000-2,100 GBP

Food & Dining:

• Budget [local food, street food]: $100-150 USD / €90-140 EUR / £80-125 GBP
• Mid-range [mix of local and international]: $200-350 USD / €185-325 EUR / £165-290 GBP
• Upscale [restaurants, international cuisine]: $400-600 USD / €370-560 EUR / £330-500 GBP

Transportation: $50-100 USD / €45-90 EUR / £40-80 GBP Entertainment: $100-200 USD / €90-185 EUR / £80-165 GBP Coworking space membership: $50-150 USD / €45-140 EUR / £40-125 GBP

Total estimated monthly budget:

• Budget: $700-1,100 USD / €650-1,000 EUR / £580-920 GBP
• Mid-range: $1,200-1,800 USD / €1,100-1,680 EUR / £1,000-1,500 GBP
• Luxury: $2,200-3,500 USD / €2,050-3,250 EUR / £1,830-2,920 GBP

🏢 Coworking Spaces

1. The Workspace Lagos

• Price: ₦25,000-45,000/month [$35-60 USD]
• Location: Victoria Island
• Features: 24/7 access, high-speed internet, meeting rooms, events

2. Co-creation Hub [CcHUB]

• Price: ₦20,000-40,000/month [$25-55 USD]
• Location: Yaba
• Features: Tech-focused, startup ecosystem, mentorship programs

3. Growthpad Lagos

• Price: ₦30,000-50,000/month [$40-70 USD]
• Location: Victoria Island
• Features: Premium facilities, networking events, business support

4. Leadspace

• Price: ₦25,000-35,000/month [$35-50 USD]
• Location: Victoria Island
• Features: Modern design, reliable wifi, community events

5. Passion Incubator

• Price: ₦20,000-30,000/month [$25-40 USD]
• Location: Yaba
• Features: Startup-focused, mentorship, investor connections

6. Workbay

• Price: ₦35,000-55,000/month [$45-75 USD]
• Location: Lekki
• Features: Premium location, excellent facilities, networking

7. Impact Hub Lagos

• Price: ₦25,000-40,000/month [$35-55 USD]
• Location: Ikoyi
• Features: Social impact focus, global network, events

🏠 Best Neighborhoods for Digital Nomads

1. Victoria Island [VI]

• Vibe: Business district with modern amenities, upscale restaurants, and nightlife
• Pros: Excellent infrastructure, reliable power/internet, walkable, close to coworking spaces
• Cons: Expensive, traffic congestion, can feel disconnected from local culture
• Rent: $800-2,000/month for 1-bedroom

2. Ikoyi

• Vibe: Upmarket residential area with embassies, luxury hotels, and fine dining
• Pros: Safe, quiet, excellent infrastructure, beautiful waterfront areas
• Cons: Very expensive, limited nightlife, can feel isolated
• Rent: $1,000-2,500/month for 1-bedroom

3. Lekki Phase 1

• Vibe: Modern, planned community with shopping malls, beaches, and expatriate population
• Pros: Good infrastructure, beaches nearby, growing expat community, newer developments
• Cons: Far from mainland attractions, expensive, limited public transport
• Rent: $600-1,500/month for 1-bedroom

4. Yaba

• Vibe: Tech hub known as "Yabacon Valley," young professional crowd, startup ecosystem
• Pros: Affordable, vibrant tech community, good coworking spaces, authentic local experience
• Cons: Infrastructure challenges, can be noisy, traffic issues
• Rent: $300-800/month for 1-bedroom

5. Ikeja

• Vibe: Commercial center with mix of business and residential, good transport links
• Pros: Central location, airport proximity, affordable, good local amenities
• Cons: Very busy, traffic congestion, noise levels
• Rent: $250-600/month for 1-bedroom

📶 Internet & Connectivity

• Average speeds: 10-50 Mbps in good areas, can vary significantly
• Reliability: Moderate - expect occasional outages, better in upscale areas like VI and Ikoyi
• Best providers:
  • MTN Nigeria [most reliable]
  • Airtel Nigeria
  • Glo Mobile
  • 9mobile
  • Smile Communications [4G LTE]
• Café wifi: Generally available but often slow/unreliable - don't depend on it for important work
• SIM card options:
  • MTN: ₦2,000-5,000 [$3-7 USD] for monthly data plans [5-20GB]
  • Airtel: ₦1,500-4,000 [$2-6 USD] for monthly plans
  • Multiple SIM strategy recommended for backup
• Pro tip: Invest in a good portable wifi device and have backup SIM cards from different providers

✈️ Visa Information

• Visa-free stay: Not available for most Western passport holders
• Tourist visa:
  • Single entry: $50 USD for 30 days
  • Multiple entry: $80 USD for 90 days
  • Can be obtained online or on arrival [limited countries]
• Digital nomad visa: Not available - most nomads use tourist or business visas
• Business visa: $100-180 USD, allows for longer stays and multiple entries
• Visa extensions: Possible through Nigerian Immigration Service, can be time-consuming
• Requirements: Passport [6+ months validity], yellow fever certificate [mandatory], proof of accommodation, return ticket

Important: Visa regulations change frequently - always check with Nigerian embassy/consulate before travel.

🚇 Transportation

Getting from airport [Murtala Muhammed International]:

• Taxi: ₦8,000-15,000 [$10-20 USD] to VI/Ikoyi
• Uber/Bolt: ₦5,000-12,000 [$7-16 USD] depending on destination
• BRT Bus: ₦500-800 [$0.70-1 USD] - budget option but can be crowded

Public transportation:

• BRT [Bus Rapid Transit]: ₦200-400 [$0.30-0.50 USD] per trip
• Danfo buses: ₦100-300 [$0.15-0.40 USD] - local buses, can be chaotic
• Keke NAPEP [tricycles]: ₦200-500 [$0.30-0.70 USD] for short distances
• Lagos Ferry: ₦500-1,000 [$0.70-1.30 USD] - scenic water transport

Ride-sharing apps:

• Uber, Bolt, inDrive - most reliable option for nomads
• Typical costs: ₦2,000-8,000 [$3-11 USD] depending on distance/time

Bike-sharing: Limited options, not recommended due to traffic conditions

🍜 Food & Dining

Local cuisine highlights:

• Jollof Rice: Nigeria's national dish - spiced rice with vegetables/meat
• Suya: Grilled spiced meat skewers - popular street food
• Pounded Yam with Egusi: Traditional soup with ground melon seeds
• Pepper Soup: Spicy, aromatic broth with fish/meat
• Plantain: Sweet or savory, served multiple ways

Typical meal costs:

• Street food: ₦500-1,500 [$0.70-2 USD]
• Local restaurant: ₦2,000-4,000 [$3-6 USD]
• Mid-range restaurant: ₦5,000-12,000 [$7-16 USD]
• Upscale dining: ₦15,000-30,000 [$20-40 USD]

Best areas for restaurants:

• Victoria Island: International cuisine, upscale dining
• Lekki: Mix of local and international options
• Ikoyi: Fine dining and hotel restaurants

Dietary options:

• Vegetarian: Growing options, especially in upscale areas
• Vegan: Limited but improving, focus on local vegetables/fruits
• International: Available in VI, Ikoyi, and Lekki

Street food scene: Vibrant and affordable, but be cautious about hygiene standards when adjusting to local food.

🎯 Things to Do

Top attractions:

• National Museum Lagos: Learn about Nigerian history and culture
• Lekki Conservation Centre: Canopy walk and wildlife viewing
• Nike Art Gallery: Largest art gallery in West Africa
• Freedom Park: Historical site turned cultural center
• Tafawa Balewa Square: Iconic Lagos landmark

Free activities:

• Bar Beach/Elegushi Beach: Relax by the Atlantic Ocean
• Lekki Market: Browse local crafts and textiles
• Terra Kulture: Free cultural events and exhibitions
• Walking tours: VI and Lagos Island exploration

Day trips:

• Badagry: Historical slave trade sites [2-hour drive]
• Epe: Fishing town with cultural experiences
• Abeokuta: Olumo Rock and traditional Yoruba culture

Social activities:

• Beach parties: Weekend events at various beaches
• Art gallery openings: Regular events in VI and Ikoyi
• Live music venues: AfroBeats and jazz performances
• Startup events: Pitch competitions and networking

🏥 Healthcare

• Healthcare quality: Variable - excellent private facilities, basic public services
• Private hospitals [recommended]:
  • Reddington Hospital [VI]
  • Lagos University Teaching Hospital
  • St. Nicholas Hospital
• Medical insurance: Essential - recommend comprehensive international coverage
• Average consultation: ₦10,000-25,000 [$15-35 USD] private doctors
• Pharmacy availability: Good in urban areas, international medications available
• Emergency number: 199 [Lagos State Emergency]

Health tips:

• Yellow fever vaccination required
• Malaria prophylaxis recommended
• Drink bottled water initially
• Private healthcare strongly recommended

🛡️ Safety

Overall safety rating: Moderate - requires awareness and precautions

Areas to avoid:

• Mushin: High crime rate, avoid especially at night
• Ajegunle: Known for petty crime and pickpocketing
• Some parts of Lagos Island: Can be unsafe after dark

Common scams:

• Fake currency exchange
• "419" advance fee fraud [especially online]
• Overcharging foreigners for services
• Fake police checkpoints

Emergency numbers:

• Police: 199
• Fire Service: 199
• Medical Emergency: 199
• Lagos State Emergency: 199

Safety tips:

• Don't display expensive items/jewelry
• Use official taxi/ride-share services
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash
• Stay in groups at night
• Keep copies of important documents
• Register with your embassy

👥 Community & Networking

Lagos has a growing community of international professionals, entrepreneurs, and adventurous digital nomads drawn to West Africa's economic hub. The expat community is relatively small but tight-knit, consisting mainly of business professionals, startup founders, and development workers.

Nomad Connect community: Join Nomad Connect to find events, meetups, and connect with other digital nomads in Lagos. This is the primary platform where the nomad community organizes social events, shares accommodation tips, and coordinates group activities. Regular meetups include coworking sessions, weekend beach trips, and networking events at local venues.

Local meetup groups and networking events:

• Lagos Startup Week: Annual event connecting entrepreneurs and investors
• TechCabal events: Regular tech industry meetups and conferences
• Creative industry meetups: Film, music, and arts community gatherings
• Business networking events: Chamber of Commerce and professional associations

Coworking space community events:

• CcHUB hosts regular pitch nights and startup showcases
• The Workspace organizes monthly networking mixers
• Impact Hub runs social impact workshops and speaker series

How to meet other nomads:

• Connect through Nomad Connect platform for regular meetups and events
• Attend coworking space events and community sessions
• Join startup and tech meetups where international professionals gather
• Participate in weekend beach trips and cultural excursions organized through nomad networks
• Visit upscale areas like Victoria Island and Ikoyi where expats commonly socialize

The nomad community often organizes group trips to nearby attractions, shared accommodation arrangements, and informal coworking sessions at cafes with reliable wifi.

📱 Essential Apps

Transportation:

• Uber, Bolt, inDrive [ride-sharing]
• BRT Lagos [official bus system app]
• Lagos Ferry [water transport schedules]

Food delivery:

• Jumia Food
• Glovo
• Uber Eats
• Chowdeck

Banking/Payment:

• GTBank, First Bank [if opening local account]
• Paystack [online payments]
• Remita [bill payments]
• PalmPay [mobile wallet]

Language learning:

• Duolingo [limited Yoruba available]
• HelloTalk [practice with locals]
• Google Translate [supports Yoruba]

Local services:

• Jumia (e-commerce