Experience in Lagos, Nigeria by Evans

What is it like to live in Lagos? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Lagos is a very interesting place.Various languages are spoken there, hausa, igbo, yoruba, and even different versions of these. It is the most populated city in Nigeria. I would recommend the city to anyone. Diverse cultures, wonderful food, funny people, loud cars. It all makes for an enriching experience. Passing through some of the streets at night, you can hear loud music coming from some shops. Everybody seems to be in a rush all the time.Things go at a fast pace. Bus stops are everywhere. Markets are situated in several provinces, and vary according to size. Shops are alongside most streets. In uptown Lagos..at the Islands, near the beaches, wharf and docks, it's quieter, less noisy,less cars and more lush. There you can find upscale parties and beautiful gardens. There, the gardens are more, and it is altogether a more relaxed atmosphere...but nevertheless still Lagos...

What is the student lifestyle like in Lagos?

A lot of students live in Lagos. A lot are outside college. There are several universities but they can't take in all the students graduating every year from high school. The population obviously plays a factor. The students in the universities are studious..most of them. The university atmosphere is a very conducive one. Several quiet gardens are set up at places around the school. Taxis and buses are provided by the school to shuttle students from and to the main gate of these universities. The hostels situated in the premises are ideal and promote a certain kind of mutual closeness and friendship between inhabitants, which is good for socialization. Students are mostly fun loving. Living outside the school in an apartment is also done and it all depends on your personal choice.

How much does it cost to live in Lagos?

The living conditions in Lagos are not bad in general at any rate. A three bedroom flat could cost about 350,000 naira per year. Depending on your owner, the rent varies. It also depends on the building. There are bungalows, storeys and skyscrapers. For a family, living in a bungalow is ideal. This could have up to six bedrooms. For a student, living in a one-room or two room apartment is ideal. It could cost about 45,000 per semester. Depending on your renter, you could pay per year or per semester. Or just own your own place. Families own a lot of houses in Lagos. Houses cost more at the Islands, uptown. A three bedroom flat could cost up to 800,000 naira .

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Lagos? Is there any advice you can give?

Accommodation is not too difficult to find in Lagos. Looking in the papers and on billboards can infinitely help. Also asking around. The people are very friendly and always willing to help. Looking for accommodation uptown is also easier because you tend to find more houses for rent there. It also costs more. Altogether,accommodation in Lagos is at a really good standard.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

The food is really really good. Because of the various cultures, I have gotten to eat several wonderful delicacies. The Yoruba culture, for example, have what they call Ewedu and Amala. I do not know precisely how that is made. During the muslim Ramadan, if your neighbour is muslim, you are highly likely to get a very healthy portion of roasted meat and rice, expertly cooked. My favourite dishes are yam porridge and then there is fufu and egusi soup. This is a dish akin to a certain kind of culture. The Igbo culture. The fufu is gotten from cassava, white in colour and contains a lot of carbohydrates. The egusi is gotten from melon and mixed with any type of vegetable you want, with fishes, meats, spices. The melon can also be moulded into circular bits of delight. :). Wonderful to the taste.
There is the moi-moi. The moi-moi is cooked, crushed, grounded beans, mixed with pepper, egg, fish and whatever else you may deem fit to add. If one prefers food of McDonald inclination, a lot of restaurants are ready to welcome you with freshly baked, cooked meatpies,shawarmas, fishrolls etc. Lagos in essence,is full of delicious, finely cooked cuisines.

What places would you recommend visiting in Lagos?

A notable landmark in Lagos is the National Stadium. This stadium has a lot of history and means a lot to the people. There is also the National Theatre, which stages a lot of African plays and songs. The Lekki beach. oh..the Lekki beach..this beach shores the Atlantic Ocean and the sight is beautiful. There is also the National Museum, filled with artifacts from the past. Nok arts, statues of country heroes,etc. The Lagos market is also a sight to behold. This is Lagos' main market, called the Lagos market. Anything you think of is sold here. Almost anything at all, at great prices too. It is also very big.
Even the city itself is a sight and a national landmark.

Is it good to eat out in Lagos? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

It is really good and advisable to eat out in Lagos. There is the Mr.Biggs restaurant, Tantalizers, also a restaurant. They sell really, very good delicacies. By the street also, you have shops that sell a lot of native dishes. Cooked and hot and ready to serve.

Is the nightlife good in Lagos? Where is good to go?

Lagos nightlife is something to behold. I do not know a lot of places for nightlife but the people are definitely lively at night. It will not be at all difficult to find a cool spot at night.

What advice would you give future students headed to Lagos?

It is an interesting life in Lagos,the people are really friendly and open so definitely you will have your fun. At the same time, if you want to study there, keeping your focus and determination.