Experiencing Nigeria's Detty December: A first-timers Guide to Lagos

Experiencing Nigeria’s Detty December: A first-timers Guide to Lagos

Updated: October 2024

Table Of Contents

Honest Insights for Traveling to Nigeria
Logistics (Visa and Travel details)
Lodging and Transportation
Things I wish I knew before my trip
Advice From Other Travelers

Nigeria is, by far, the most energetic place I’ve ever visited. Keep in mind, I was born and raised in NYC, but neither New York nor any other city I’ve traveled to can match the vibrance of Nigeria, the African Giant. As the most populous country on the continent, Nigeria sits on the west coast of Africa, bordering Benin to the west and Cameroon to the east. If you know anything about African countries, Nigeria is sure to arise in conversation. Renowned for its valuable natural resources, extravagant tribal culture, and belly ticking Nollywood movies, Nigeria is a must-visit destination.

Nigeria was the first African country I visited, with special significance because part of my family is from there. My trip was inspired by my desire to meet my family members, most for the first time. Still, I stuck out as a newcomer, eyes wide open—struck by everything that I saw and experienced.

Funnily, my first thought upon exiting the airport was “it’s just like the movies.” The air had a warm, orange tint, similar to the movies where scenes depicting countries in Africa often have a reddish or orange haze. When I mentioned this, my Nigerian relatives explained it was due to Harmattan -– a season when cool, dry wind blows from the Sahara across West Africa. Despite this, I couldn’t imagine traveling to Nigeria in its hot season. Even though I visited in their cooler season (December), my skin was instantly coated with sweat due to the humidity.

Honest Insights for Traveling to Nigeria

When traveling to any country, it’s crucial to receive honest and truthful reviews. Nigeria, like any place in the world, has wonderful aspects and some challenging ones. My experiences are my own, but I hope to share them honestly to help travelers better prepare and set realistic expectations. At the end of this blog, I’ll also link blogs from Nigerians that can provide additional resources for your upcoming trip. So without further ado, let’s get into the details of my Detty December in Nigeria!

Logistics (Visa and Travel details)

Traveling to Nigeria often requires a visa or additional travel documentation. As an American, I had to apply for a tourist visa via the Nigerian consulate nearby my hometown. This process, though time consuming, was straightforward:

Apply for a tourist visa online via the Nigerian Immigration Service
Pay the application fee online
Provide a passport-sized photo
Schedule an in-person consulate to process paperwork and biometrics processing

For a smoother experience, schedule your in-person processing within 90 days of your planned travel. The visa, once issued, is valid only 90 days from the date of issuance. Keep all your records and print everything before reaching the consulate. You’ll need to provide evidence of sufficient funds, I was a bit hesitant, but this is a requirement to attain a visa. I submitted a copy of my bank statement, of course hiding sensitive information like my bank account number. Lastly, but most importantly, beware of fraudulent websites posing as the official Nigerian Immigration Services. I only trusted the NIS website link listed on Travel.State.Gov under the Entry,Exit, and Visa Requirements tab.

Paying for services with a credit card is usually the safest option. This way if you do fall victim to internet scams, you can dispute charges with your insurance or card provider.

Lodging and Transportation

I flew Delta Airlines from New York’s JFK, with a layover in ATL, before heading straight to LOS. (Include snapshot of flight itinerary)

Looking back, I would have preferred a flight with a stopover in Europe or the Middle East, as the 14-hour flight from Atlanta was mentally and physically draining. Splitting the journey into 6-8 hour segments would have been much more comfortable.

Upon landing in Lagos, I gathered my luggage and was picked up by my family. If you don’t have local connections, I highly recommend arranging transportation through your hotel. If not, then Uber or Bolt (Nigeria’s rideshare services), though the quality of service may vary. Rideshare drivers in Lagos don’t earn high profits, and fuel prices and access to gas can be unpredictable. I’ve heard of cases where a driver requested additional payment to complete the ride.

Initially, I considered subletting a home on Booking.com or Airbnb for more space at an affordable price. However, I opted for a wonderful stay with Nordic Hotel Lagos. Power outages are common in Nigeria, so I appreciated the hotel’s reliability, clean facilities, and central location in Victoria Island, which offers easy access to nightlife and restaurants. From the beginning up until my departure, I was greeted with professionalism, hospitality, and kindness from every staff member at Nordic Hotel.

Here’s Why I Rate Nordic So Highly:

Friendly staff: I was always met with warm smiles and staff who were willing to help me at any moment.
Clean facilities: Staff cleaned common areas and rooms frequently, which created an inviting and tidy atmosphere. This was the first time I stayed in a hotel where they mopped the floors in my room without needing to be asked.
Proximity to events and safety: Located in Victoria Island, Nordic provides easy access to social clubs, trending restaurants, and fun activities making it easy to avoid Lagos traffic.

Things I wish I knew before my trip

Currency Exchange: Nigerians black-market currency rates differ from official rates online. So, exchanging money in your home country to avoid scams.

Bribery: As soon as I landed in LOS, airport officials were asking me for money. I believe my innocence protects me since they find unique ways to ask for money without saying “give me money” outright.
Detty December Crowds: December is the busiest time to visit Lagos, with people gathering to celebrate the holidays and prepare for the New Year.Traffic is intense. Be prepared to be stuck in traffic for over 3 hours (no exaggeration).
Public Sanitation: Compared to my experience in other cities, the cleanliness of the streets in Lagos is quite poor. Be mindful of where you walk and beware of falling into the gullies that collect trash and stagnant water beside the roads. Carry hand sanitizer and pocket tissue, even restaurant bathrooms may run out of toilet paper or fail to have running water. I think It’s best to always be prepared for these circumstances.
Payment for Services: Only pay for services or products until the service has been received. Unless you’re paying through official service providers, I wouldn’t pay people for work until you can attest that the work or service has been completed.
Private Driver: Consider hiring a private driver, especially if you’re traveling in a group. The holiday seasons can be busy, so having a reliable and consistent mode of transportation will remove additional stressors while exploring the country.
Hotel Stays Over Airbnb: If you have a specific standard for service and quality, I recommend staying in a reputable hotel as opposed to an Airbnb. As a first timer, it can be challenging to deduce which areas are safe, and which sublets are legitimate and reliable. Staying in a hotel was the best decision I made and I would do it again 1000%.