9 Things NOT To Do in Nigeria

There are many misconceptions about Nigeria, it's not a poor country, it has a rich culture and cuisine, and not every man there is a prince who wants to give you money. Although Lagos, Abuja, and Calabar seem like well-established tourist locations, there are a few things we should avoid doing when we visit.

1. Don't Flash The Cash.
Most places accept credit cards, so the need for cash is low. Avoid carrying cash if possible and if you have to carry cash, avoid showing it. Keep your wallet and phone in your front pockets and don't wear any expensive jewelry or watches.

2. Don't Make Assumptions.
Although most Nigerians speak English and almost half are Christians you shouldn't assume their culture is the same. Over half of Nigerians are Muslim and the Nigerian culture is an amalgamation of multiple ethnic groups.

3. Don't Forget Your Vaccines!
In addition to your routine vaccines, it is recommended that you get vaccinated for Measles, Yellow fever, Polio, Hepatitis A, Malaria, and Typhoid. It is also a good idea to carry proof of your vaccinations with you as you may be asked for this at the airport.

4. Don't Forget Your Visa.
Unless you are a citizen of a neighboring country, you are going to need a visa to enter Nigeria. Start the process at least a month before your trip because it is quite a lengthy process and requires a lot of paperwork. it is also quite expensive, so be prepared!

5. Don't Be Afraid of The Cuisine!
Nigeria offers all types of international cuisines but their own is delicious (it maybe a bit spicy!) try "Bolli" which is roasted Plantain "Jollof" rice and "Suya" which are spicy kebabs.

6. Don't say you "Love Africa!"
Nigeria is a country, Africa is a continent. Going to Nigeria and telling a Nigerian you love Africa is like going to Cuba and saying you love "North America!"

7. Don,t Go Out Alone At Night
Taking walks or going out clubbing alone at night is not recommended. Get a guide or befriend a local, also avoid public transport and book cabs in advance from reputable companies!

8. Don't Forget Your passport
Get photocopies of your passport to carry around with you for identification and only show the original at the airport.

9. Pack Carefully!
Make sure you pack some necessities in your hand luggage, hold luggage can be delayed or even disappear so to avoid spending days in the same clothes, put some in your carry-on bag. Pack a torch and a battery pack too, as power outages are a common occurrence.

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[tosinojo]

1. wrong. It is a cash based society because of the large informal economy, so carrying cash is expected and no, the same way you dont flash your wads in London, its polite not to flash because people will just charge you more for things. I know this because i always forget and flash. Note that you can flash half a bundle of naira...just don't flash anything more
2. Nigeria is a gold and diamond producer so fine jewellery is commonplace..disregard this advice, you can wear expensive
6. love this yes dont say you love Africa
7. You can go out at night alone depending on the area...in some places in Lagos they don't sleep...so beaches are crowded and people party. In Abuja, i used to go shopping at 9 by myself at night. lol nothing ever happens there...being unsafe at night is a misconception...just go where people are and be as sensible as you will be in your country
8. Public transport like bikes and tuk-tuks are my favourite things to ride when i travel to Nigeria

[Dexterlexious]

1.yes, but only wear the jewelry on important occasions eg weddings
3. Yes, when I was young they did not allow me to enter the country without my yellow fever
4. If you are a citizen of the neighboring countries of ECOWAS you'll need the ECOWAS passport because the country will allow In
7. It's not safe at all but safe at the day.
Have fun in NIGERIA

[fredhugard]

For #6 you should follow your own #2 and not assume people are idiots.

[BecomingBestMe]

While these things are true except for the cashless transaction, they apply to other countries. Nigerians are not racist, they don't go around shooting at the slightest provocations like Western countries, they are not super suspicious or feel threatened when a stranger walks up to them or is at their pourch, food is cheap and organic, there are no mental health issues that others seams to always have. We are always happy. And there is something in the food, air or water Nigeria like that makes viruses like Covid-19 not a threat.

[elohoregbordi]

It's pronounced "Layghos"

9. We use mostly cash

[newearth]

Colossians 2:16-19 proves that the church ate clean beasts and good food, drank good drinks to stay sober, kept the holydays like feast of trumpets, day of atonement, feast of tabernacles, Passover, feast of unleavened bread, feast of weeks, observed the 12 new moons, and celebrated the seventh day Sabbaths. Let no man judge you is referring to the heathen and sinners, not the saints. The heathen and sinners are not allowed to judge our pure religion from Christ Jesus our Lord.

[christianjohn]

I am a Nigerian and all you said about not flashing cash and wearing expensive accessories is not true

[hirutargaw]

You should visit Ethiopia 🇪🇹 ! There is so much History and delicious food, you would love it!

[ratgang]

Destination Tips please make a video what not to do in Sri Lanka

[jonw]

How bout, don't be racist... That's probably one of the most important things..

[ocelblack]

Don't leave the airport unless you are with a group that has a local guide/guard and transportation waiting.

[ackinsite]

Abeg carry your cash nobody will do anything for you, except from in the night which is normal

[cameraman]

Been there many times since the 80s, a definite NO-GO imo. It is a culture of corruption, going back decades of British rule, I blame the poms for helping to create what Nigeria has become (though we did no better when we left PNG in the 70s, Port Moresby is a crime-ridden hell hole).

[Ben-clxt]

Ha an u cannot say u love Africa in Nigeria since when😅
I'm a Nigerian and I say both I love Nigeria and Africa all the time😂 pls ooh where r u getting some of this information from.

[ackinsite]

Forget you need to do a redo and correct something, why downplay Nigerians

[TravelTourTaste]

Hello we hope your well and safe . this is one place i would love to visit but after seeing what others are saying i think we may just have to see what this country is like from a different lens lol Love and Light Sarah and Glenn

[vitorbrduo]

Makes reason not to go to the United States

[DavidOdusanya.]

Over half of nigerians arent Muslim. Half of Nigerians are Muslim, the Christians are two percent lower

[flexpression]

1. False, people wear expensive jewelries here, worth thousands of dollars!
You can go out at night
The only vaccine required is covid 19 ( you don’t need all of that immunization he talked about)

You don’t need a battery! 60% of estates in Nigeria provides 24/7 power to their resident

Hotels provide 24/7 power to their customers

[thesupernaturals]

One of the worst countries in the world atm and I'm Nigerian. Over 300 kids got kidnapped by terrorists at school a few days back.