How much money do I need to move to Nigeria?

Plan for $8,000–$20,000 in initial settling-in costs: advance rent 1–2 years ($3,000–$15,000), estate agent and legal fees ($500–$1,500), CERPAC/visa fees ($2,000–$3,500), furnishing if needed ($500–$2,000), and first-month living expenses ($1,000–$2,500). Corporate relocation packages typically cover these costs; self-funded expats need substantial savings upfront.

Do I need a Yellow Fever vaccination to enter Nigeria?

Yes — a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for entry into Nigeria. Get vaccinated at least 10 days before travel, and carry the yellow WHO card. Immigration officers check this on arrival and can deny entry without it. Additional recommended vaccines: hepatitis A and B, typhoid, meningitis (especially for northern Nigeria), and antimalarial prophylaxis.

Should I ship my belongings or buy everything in Nigeria?

Most expats recommend shipping only high-value essentials (electronics, specialized medications, professional equipment, personal items) and buying furniture and household goods locally. Customs duties of 20–35% and port clearance delays of 2–4 weeks make shipping large quantities expensive and slow. Lagos has Shoprite, SPAR, and local furniture markets where you can furnish an apartment for $500–$2,000.

How do I get a Nigerian phone number?

Buy a SIM card from MTN (largest network), Airtel, or Glo at the airport or a branded retail store. Cards cost ₦500 (~$0.35). Since 2024, NIN (National Identification Number) registration is mandatory — you'll need your passport and biometric enrollment, which takes 1–3 days. MTN offers the best network coverage; Airtel often has the best data plans. Budget ₦3,000–₦10,000/month ($2–$7) for data.

Is it easy to make friends as an expat in Nigeria?

Yes — Nigerians are famously warm and sociable. The expat community in Lagos and Abuja is active and welcoming, with regular meetups through InterNations, embassy events, and WhatsApp groups. Coworking spaces double as social hubs. Church and mosque communities are also major social networks. The biggest challenge is navigating the initial culture shock — once you embrace the Nigerian pace of life, building genuine friendships is remarkably easy.

Expat Topics

D7, digital nomad, golden visa & more

💰

Cost of Living

Monthly budgets from €1,200 to €4,000+

🏥

Healthcare

Public, private & expat health insurance

🏠

Housing

Rent prices, best areas & lease tips

💼

Work & Business

Permits, remote work & freelancing rules

✈️

Moving Guide

Step-by-step relocation checklist

📚

Education

International schools & universities

🌆

Daily Life

Transport, food & expat communities

🌅

Lifestyle

Climate, culture & quality of living

📈

Investing

Property, stocks, tax & wealth building

View all resources →

Rankings Compare Blog

✈️

🇳🇬 Nigeria

Moving Guide

Moving to Nigeria requires more preparation than most destinations — from the significant upfront rent payments to the power backup budgeting, from CERPAC processing to understanding the difference between Lagos Island and Mainland life. However, the process is entirely in English, the expat community is supportive, and relocation agents specializing in foreign arrivals can smooth the transition dramatically..

$8,000–$20,000

Settling-In Budget

Advance rent, CERPAC, furnishing, first-month expenses

6–10 weeks

Shipping Time

Sea freight from US/Europe to Lagos/Apapa port

20–35%

Customs Duty

On imported personal effects; some exemptions with permit

₦500 (~$0.35)

SIM Card

MTN, Airtel, Glo — NIN registration required

$20–$50

Airport Transfer

Uber/Bolt from LOS or ABV; arrange in advance

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🏙️Lagos 🏛️Abuja

🛂Visa 🏥Healthcare 💰Finance 🏠Housing 💼Working 🌆Daily Life ✈️Moving 📚Education 🌅Lifestyle 📈Investing

Overview

Key Takeaways

Visa: obtain your STR visa or business visa at a Nigerian embassy before arrival — tourist visa works for initial exploration
Airport arrival: have your accommodation address and local contact number ready — immigration may ask for these
Sea freight: 6–10 weeks from US/Europe to Apapa/Tin Can ports in Lagos — use reputable international movers (Allied, Crown, AGS)

Before You Arrive

Preparation is critical for a smooth move to Nigeria. Handle visa processing, financial planning, and accommodation research well in advance — the advance rent system means you need significant capital available on arrival.

Visa: obtain your STR visa or business visa at a Nigerian embassy before arrival — tourist visa works for initial exploration
Budget: prepare $8,000–$20,000 for settling-in costs — primarily advance rent (1–2 years), CERPAC fees, and agency costs
Accommodation: research neighborhoods online, join expat Facebook groups ('Lagos Apartments,' 'Abuja Expats'), and ideally visit for a recce trip before committing
Health: get Yellow Fever vaccination (required for entry — bring the certificate) and recommended vaccines (hepatitis A/B, typhoid, meningitis)
Insurance: arrange international health insurance with medical evacuation coverage before departure
Documents: authenticate and apostille key documents (degree certificates, marriage certificate) — Nigerian employers often require these
Banking: notify your home bank about Nigeria travel; bring $2,000–$5,000 in USD cash for initial exchange
Medication: bring a 3–6 month supply of any prescription medications with documentation

Your First Week in Nigeria

The first week is about establishing essentials — phone connectivity, local currency, temporary accommodation, and orientation in your chosen city. Lagos and Abuja have different rhythms, but the setup process is similar.

Airport arrival: have your accommodation address and local contact number ready — immigration may ask for these
SIM card: buy MTN, Airtel, or Glo at the airport or a branded store — NIN (National Identification Number) registration now required; process takes 1–3 days
Currency exchange: exchange USD at a Bureau de Change (BDC) for best rates — ask hotel or expat contacts for trusted BDCs
Transport: use Uber/Bolt from day one — download both apps; Bolt often has better rates in Nigeria
Temporary accommodation: book a serviced apartment or hotel for 1–2 weeks while apartment hunting — rates from $50–$150/night
Explore neighborhoods: spend the first few days visiting VI, Ikoyi, Lekki, and Yaba (Lagos) or Maitama, Wuse 2, and Jabi (Abuja) to find your fit
Register with your embassy: most Western embassies maintain citizen registries — register for security alerts and emergency assistance
Join expat groups: InterNations, Lagos Digital Nomads, and WhatsApp groups are invaluable for local knowledge and social connections

Shipping & Customs

Shipping personal effects to Nigeria is possible but comes with high customs duties, slow port clearance, and a bureaucratic process. Many expats prefer to buy locally or ship only high-value essentials.

Sea freight: 6–10 weeks from US/Europe to Apapa/Tin Can ports in Lagos — use reputable international movers (Allied, Crown, AGS)
Air freight: 3–5 days but significantly more expensive — reserve for electronics, documents, and medications
Customs duty: 20–35% on most imported goods — personal effects exemptions available with a pre-shipment inspection certificate
Port clearance: can take 2–4 weeks after arrival at port — hire a licensed customs broker to navigate the process
Recommended to ship: electronics (expensive locally), specialized medications, professional equipment, personal mementos
Buy locally: furniture, kitchenware, linens, basic electronics — available at Shoprite, IKEA (opening Lagos 2026), and local markets at lower total cost
Vehicle import: possible but expensive — 35–70% duty depending on vehicle age; locally bought used cars are often more practical
Document shipping: use DHL or FedEx for important documents rather than regular mail — Nigeria Post is unreliable