Thinking of visiting Lagos someday? Lagos through a foreign eye:

Here's one tourist's view:



http://www.aliopacto.com/short:guide-to-lagos

Lagos
The city sits on a river delta and covers a number of islands, then expands into the interior for a vast distance. You will rarely cover this except by plane when you leave. The districts in Lagos that you will probably visit: Iganmu, location of the Company in Lagos. Surulere, next door, great place to buy African clothes. Lagos Island (the original city) is just a totally crowded ghetto of old colonial buildings that you will drive through on your way to Victoria Island (VI), location of most of the interesting places to go out. Ikoyi, where the company residences on James George street are located. Ikeja, on the way to the airport and location of some larger nightspots such as Night Shift and Motherland.

Currency and Money
The official currency is the Naira (NGN). The black-market exchange rate is about 140N per USD, 125 per EUR or so. Common notes are the 100N, 200N, and 500N. You may still get 20N or 50N notes and these are useful for tips and small purchases. However, 200N or 500N notes are useful to avoid big bulges in your pockets. You can also spend USD, but beware - the smallest USD note (5$) is worth more than the largest common Naira note.

You can exchange money at the Company at good rates – ask to see the Treasury Manager (TM). You can also change money at various places such as the Eko Hotel in VI - not at the main hotel cashier, which give the official rate, but in the small market at the hotel street entrance, where you can get the black-market rate. Make sure you know what that is, and change your money before 7pm to get the best deal. Before traveling, make sure you have some dollars or Naira for emergencies. US$50 should be more than enough. When you travel to work for the Company, they cover all your costs (even beer) - all you need is spending money. You should allow US$200 per week if you like to enjoy life.

Nigerian money changers accept Euros. Leave your credit cards at home. You cannot use them and there is a good chance that someone will find your wallet, copy the card numbers, replace everything carefully, and then hit you with a $1500 bill of Internet purchases. Do not take other papers, such as identity cards, diving license, etc. unless you need these to get to or from the airport at home.


Using Money
The average daily wage in Nigeria is probably around EUR1. Keep this in mind when you pull out your packet of Naira. A taxi drive from VI to Iganmu should cost between 300N and 600N depending on the time of day and the current cost of fuel. You should never pay more than 1000N for a taxi drive anywhere except possibly when you arrive at the airport. A beer will cost from 80N to 200N depending on where you drink it. A meal in a simple restaurant will cost 200-400N. A meal in a fancy restaurant will cost 2000N to 4000N. If you want to tip someone, such as a taxi driver, give him 50N. If you want to give your driver money to spend while you are at the beach, give him 200N to 400N.