Experience in Lagos, Nigeria by Jide

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

The city of Lagos-Nigeria is the business hub and entertainment heart of the whole country with its population rising at an alarming rate yearly. Living in Lagos has its advantages and disadvantages just to mention a few here: As the popular saying goes, it is a hustle and bustle life in Lagos. Meaning, you have to strive hardest before you can enjoy and the basic amenities such as housing and transportation are not cheap and available for low/middle income earners.
But the good part of Lagos-Nigeria comes up if you have a good job, business, or a sustainable means of livelihood, then the entertainment lifestyle will amaze you in the city. The city night-life is non debatably one of the best you will find in Africa if not the best. But like I said early, you must be financially stable to engage in this lifestyle in lagos.

What is the student lifestyle like in Lagos?

A student in Lagos who has no immediate family residing in the city may find it quite difficult with accommodation if he/she is also not in the school’s hostel which are equally quite expensive. Life on the street for a student is almost frustrating as getting from one place to the other without the knowledge of the city can be a hard work (hustle) while standing the risk of being even mugged by unknown criminals.
But I always want to emphasize in my submissions here, that there are pros and cons of Lagos. You can experience pure friendly/warm receptions from students amongst themselves, easy access to shopping, varieties of food and assorted dishes, bars and lounges spread across the city, and a host of goodies awaits a student in Lagos amidst the slogan “La ju e” meaning open your eyes and be at alert while at it all.

How much does it cost to live in Lagos?

Living expenses in Lagos varies: it depends on individual lifestyle, desires and wants. You can live in Lagos on 50-100€ monthly asides accommodation. But if you have an expensive lifestyle, then life for you in Lagos is infinitive.

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

To find an accommodation is very easy in Lagos with the help of Agents (consultants) and sometimes advertorials but in all it depends on capital, the style of accommodation you want, proximity, area etc. Lagos is divided solely into many parts but the most popular parts just to mention a few are Mainland, Isale Eko and Island. The Islabd which consist of Lekki, VGC, Victoria Island and Ajah are deemed posh and expensive with nice architectural designs in houses while the Mainland and Isale-Eko are quite less expensive. So it depends on the inhabitant really.

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

Variety they say is the spice of life, name your taste or fetish and you will likely find it in Lagos including junks from different international localities. But if you ask me personally, I will tell you that I am both a lover of soup dishes of fish and cow called “Pepper-soup” and the regular local rice, eba (cassava) pounded yam flour, amala (yam flour) eaten with assorted locally made soups called, Egusi, efo-riro (spinach) edikaikon, afang soup, groundnut soup, okro soup, gbegiri and ewedu (must not be separated) and a host of others.

What places would you recommend visiting in Lagos?

There are many sight-seeing centers, parks and historical buildings or water life in Lagos with varying degrees of entertainment as you wish them, you can also find great books in Museum and Libraries that tell the historical etymology of Lagos, it’s cultural values, life and people. So when in Lagos, please explain exactly what you will like to see or place to visit and you will sure be well guided to your surprise.

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

It depends again on individuals, some have a habit of eating out regularly even as married people while some love their home-made cooked meals. So it depends really on who wants what and where and how to get them. But for me, I have no favorite spot so to speak (not to do a free advert here) but I go to places that I feel like at every different given time.

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

Perfecto would have been my answer here but let me it is good and beautiful, but you must engage in it and be there in person to understand the beauty of the nightlife in Lagos.
Lagosians” as they are fondly called are known to be good dancers and lovers of fun mostly at night after every week’s hustle (hard work).

What advice would you give future students heading to Lagos?

If you plan a trip to Lagos-Nigeria whether as a student or tourist or worker, please take along with you expectations of a warm welcome, great fun, entertainment city, and beautiful scenes depending on your agenda in Lagos but while at it like I said earlier “La oju e (open your eyes and be at alert). Thank you