Navigating Lagos Like a Local: Essential Tips for First-Time Visitors to Nigeria

As a physician, I approach travel health with perhaps more rigor than most, but Lagos demands thorough preparation even from the casual visitor. Begin by consulting a travel medicine specialist at least 6-8 weeks before departure. Nigeria requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for entry, and I strongly recommend updating routine immunizations including hepatitis A and B, typhoid, tetanus, and considering meningococcal vaccination if you'll be there during dry season (November-March).

Malaria prevention is non-negotiable in Lagos. I opted for atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone) starting one day before arrival and continuing for seven days after departure. Pack a generous supply of high-concentration DEET repellent—I found the insect repellent wipes particularly convenient for reapplication throughout humid Lagos days without carrying bulky spray bottles.

Assemble a comprehensive medical kit including your regular medications (in original packaging with prescription documentation), anti-diarrheals, broad-spectrum antibiotics (consult your physician), oral rehydration salts, and basic first aid supplies. I also packed a compact water purifier for emergencies, though I primarily relied on sealed bottled water throughout my stay.

Purchase comprehensive travel health insurance with evacuation coverage—this isn't an area to economize. During my time volunteering at a rural clinic outside Lagos, I witnessed firsthand how critical medical evacuation can be when specialized care is needed. Register with your country's embassy or consulate before arrival, and store emergency contacts both digitally and in print format.

Lagos traffic deserves its legendary status—it's an entity unto itself that locals call 'go-slow.' During my first week, I naively scheduled three meetings across different districts in one day, a mistake I quickly learned not to repeat. Business travelers should build significant buffer time between appointments; what appears as a 20-minute drive on maps can easily become a 2-hour ordeal.

For airport transfers and important business meetings, pre-arrange transportation through your hotel or a reputable car service. I used Uber extensively in Lagos, finding it safer and more reliable than hailing taxis on the street. The app provides transparency with fixed pricing and driver information, though be prepared for occasional cancellations when drivers discover your destination involves heavy traffic areas.

For adventurous souls with flexible schedules, danfo (yellow minibuses) offer cultural immersion, but they're overcrowded and require local knowledge to navigate routes. I ventured onto one with a Nigerian colleague during my second week—it was fascinating but not practical for business purposes or when carrying valuables.

Lagos' infamous okadas (motorcycle taxis) are technically banned in business districts, though enforcement varies. Despite their ability to weave through traffic, I avoided them due to safety concerns and the helmet hygiene issues my medical training couldn't overlook.

Walking deserves special mention: sidewalks are often non-existent or in poor repair, and pedestrian culture differs dramatically from Western norms. I carried a compact but powerful tactical flashlight for unexpected power outages and evening navigation—it proved invaluable during several sudden blackouts at restaurants and when returning to my hotel after sunset.

Nigerian business culture blends formality with relationship-building in ways that might surprise Western visitors. My medical background provided immediate respect, but I quickly learned that rushing to business discussions without proper social foundations was considered impolite. Meetings typically begin with extended greetings, inquiries about family, and general conversation that might seem tangential to American or European sensibilities but is essential for establishing trust.

Dress formally for business settings. Despite Lagos' heat and humidity, professional attire signals respect. For women, I found knee-length dresses with modest necklines and sleeves worked well, paired with closed-toe shoes. Men typically wear suits, though jackets are often removed indoors. I invested in several lightweight, breathable travel blazer which maintained professional appearance while providing hidden pockets for secure storage of essentials.

Hierarchy matters tremendously in Nigerian business contexts. Address people by professional titles and surnames until invited to use first names. Business cards are exchanged with both hands or with the right hand (never the left, which is considered unclean in many African cultures). Present your card with the text facing the recipient so they can read it immediately.

Time operates differently in Lagos—what Nigerians call 'African time' means meetings may start significantly later than scheduled. However, as a foreigner, you're expected to be punctual even when your Nigerian counterparts might not be. I used these waiting periods productively by catching up on medical journals or preparing additional questions about local healthcare practices.

Gift-giving requires cultural sensitivity. Small, thoughtful items from your home country are appreciated in relationship-building contexts, but timing matters—never during initial meetings where it might be misinterpreted as bribery. As a pediatrician, I brought children's books about American wildlife for colleagues with young families, which were received with genuine appreciation during later visits.

Lagos presents unique digital challenges that business travelers should prepare for before arrival. Nigeria's power infrastructure remains unreliable—even upscale hotels and office buildings experience regular outages. During my stay, I experienced daily power interruptions, some lasting minutes and others extending for hours.

My first essential recommendation is a high-capacity power bank with multiple charging ports. I carried two—one charging at the hotel while using the other throughout the day. This redundancy proved invaluable during extended outages and long transit times.

Secure internet access requires planning. While my hotel offered Wi-Fi, connections were inconsistent and potentially vulnerable. I relied primarily on a dedicated travel router with VPN capabilities that created a secure personal network. For mobile connectivity, I purchased a local SIM card at the airport from MTN or Airtel (both reliable carriers) rather than depending on international roaming, which can be prohibitively expensive and often slower.

Cybersecurity vigilance should be heightened in Lagos, where digital scams have evolved into sophisticated operations. Use a reputable VPN for all online activities, especially banking or accessing sensitive work documents. Public Wi-Fi—even in business centers—should be approached with extreme caution.

WhatsApp dominates professional communication in Nigeria. Before arrival, I created a dedicated business WhatsApp profile and found it essential for confirming meetings, communicating with drivers, and maintaining contact during inevitable schedule adjustments. Many Nigerian professionals check email less frequently than WhatsApp, so time-sensitive communications are best sent through this platform.

Power adapters are another consideration—Nigeria uses the British-style three-pin socket (type G). I packed a universal adapter with surge protection features, which protected my electronics during several power fluctuations that might otherwise have damaged sensitive equipment.

Nigerian cuisine offers extraordinary flavors for adventurous palates, but business travelers must balance culinary exploration with food safety. As someone who's experienced intestinal parasites firsthand during medical missions abroad, I approach food with informed caution rather than fear.

Lagos' high-end restaurants and international hotels generally maintain reliable food safety standards suitable for business dining. For authentic Nigerian cuisine in safer settings, I recommend Yellow Chilli in Victoria Island and Terra Kulture in Tiamiyu Savage—both serve traditional dishes like jollof rice, egusi soup, and pounded yam in environments that cater to international visitors without compromising authenticity.

Street food represents Nigerian culinary soul but carries higher risk. If you venture into this territory, apply these physician-approved guidelines: choose stalls with high customer turnover, watch food being cooked thoroughly at high temperatures, avoid raw garnishes, and select freshly prepared items over those sitting in ambient temperatures. Suya (spiced grilled meat) from popular evening barbecue spots became my controlled adventure after observing the cooking process and vendor hygiene practices.

Water safety cannot be overemphasized. Stick exclusively to sealed bottled water—even for tooth brushing. Inspect seals carefully before purchasing, as refilled bottles occasionally circulate. Ice is best avoided unless you're certain it's made from purified water. For additional protection, I carried water purification tablets for emergencies when bottled water wasn't available.

Fresh fruits require careful selection—choose those you can peel yourself rather than pre-cut options. The vibrant mangoes, pineapples, and coconuts sold by street vendors became safe staples in my diet after I developed a relationship with a particular fruit seller near my hotel who understood my need to wash and peel everything myself.

Alcoholic beverages follow similar principles—bottled beer like Star and Hero are generally safe choices when you want to participate in Nigeria's vibrant social culture. Palm wine, a traditional fermented beverage, fascinated me from both cultural and microbiological perspectives, though I only sampled it at reputable establishments where hygiene standards were evident.

Lagos rewards business travelers who extend their stay through a weekend with cultural experiences that provide context for professional interactions. Understanding Nigeria's rich heritage offers valuable perspective that can strengthen business relationships and demonstrate respect for the country's complex identity.

The Nike Art Gallery in Lekki showcases contemporary Nigerian artistic expression across five floors of paintings, sculptures, and textiles. During my visit, I was fortunate to meet the founder, Nike Davies-Okundaye, whose journey from traditional Yoruba weaver to internationally acclaimed artist parallels Nigeria's blend of ancestral wisdom and modern innovation. The gallery offers shipping services for larger purchases—I selected several pieces that now serve as conversation starters in my pediatric office waiting room.

Terracotta Lagos in Victoria Island hosts cultural workshops where I participated in traditional indigo dyeing alongside local artisans. This hands-on experience provided insights into Nigeria's textile heritage while creating personalized souvenirs. For photography enthusiasts, I recommend a guided tour of Makoko, Lagos' floating community, though this should only be arranged through reputable organizations that maintain ethical relationships with residents and contribute to community development.

New Afrika Shrine in Ikeja offers weekend performances celebrating the legacy of Fela Kuti, pioneer of Afrobeat music and political activism. The energy is electric, though I recommend visiting with local companions who can navigate the vibrant but sometimes overwhelming atmosphere. I documented these experiences using my compact camera rather than a smartphone—its superior low-light performance captured the energy of performances without drawing attention to expensive equipment.

Lekki Conservation Centre provides a surprising natural escape from Lagos' urban intensity. The 401-meter canopy walkway offers perspectives on mangrove ecosystems that few visitors experience. I spotted monkeys, birds, and even monitor lizards while gaining appreciation for Nigeria's biodiversity challenges.

For shopping, avoid tourist traps and seek authentic markets with local guidance. Lekki Arts & Crafts Market offers better quality and more authentic crafts than airport shops, though bargaining is expected—my approach as a respectful visitor was to negotiate good but not rock-bottom prices, recognizing the value of artisans' work while avoiding overpaying simply as a foreigner.