What You Need to Know When You’re Moving to Lagos

Relocating to Lagos

About the City

Lagos is the former capital city of Nigeria and is also the largest city in all of Africa. With 18 million inhabitants, the city is growing at an unprecedented rate, and is buzzing with life both day and night. This noisy city is surrounded by elevated roads, covering homes made out of tin underneath.

The economy of Nigeria is centered in Lagos, particularly as the city benefits from a great deal of oil money, and is ideally located on a port on the Gulf of Guinea. The official language of Nigeria is English, though there are several other languages that are spoken throughout Lagos by the inhabitants of the city. Lagos has sprawled from a once regular port town to over 700 square kilometers, and this huge city is famous for its nightlife and music scene.

The Climate in Lagos

Lagos has a tropical climate with two rainy seasons. The heaviest rain falls between April and July, whilst the second lighter rainy season runs through October and November, with a brief drier spell between the two seasons. The temperatures remain similar all year round with a little fluctuation, at an average high temperature of 30°C across the year. Between November and March, the longest dry season is joined by breezes off the Sahara Desert, which are strong and can often be accompanied by sandstorms. These winds can make the weather seem deceptively cool, and it is important to remember that sun screen is an essential all year round.

Visas for Nigeria

Nationalities of most countries require a visa to enter Nigeria, unless they are from one of 18 African countries that are exempt. Also note that this exemption might not apply for longer stays. It is also important to remember that if you are planning on visiting other parts of Africa after you have moved to Nigeria, you may not be allowed entry to other countries for a certain length of time due to health issues within the country, particularly the Ebola virus.

Please note that specific visa requirements can vary depending on nationality, the number of entry, the length of your stay, as well as its purpose. For an overview of the different types of visas as well as details on the application procedure, please refer to our dedicated article on Moving to Nigeria.