Whether it's your first trip to Nigeria or your first trip back in ten years, the difference between a smooth landing and an airport headache is preparation. Here's the checklist we run through with every traveler we book.
1. Documents (start 3+ months out)
- Passport validity: six months beyond your travel dates is the safe standard. Renewals can take a while — check your expiry date today, not next month.
- Entry requirements: these depend on your citizenship and they change. Nigerian passport holders travel freely; other passport holders should confirm the current visa or entry process directly with the Nigeria Immigration Service or the nearest Nigerian embassy well in advance. Don't rely on what the rules were last time you traveled.
- Dual citizens: decide which passport combination you're traveling on and make sure both documents are current.
2. Health prep
- Yellow fever: proof of vaccination is commonly requested for Nigeria — carry your yellow card. If you've never had the vaccine, book it early; it needs time before travel to be valid.
- Malaria: talk to a travel clinic about prophylaxis. This is the one people skip and regret.
- Routine meds: carry prescriptions in original packaging, in your hand luggage.
3. Money
- Notify your bank of travel so cards don't get frozen mid-trip.
- Carry some cash to exchange, but know that transfers and cards are widely used in Lagos and Abuja — much of daily life runs on bank transfer.
- Exchange rates move; check close to travel rather than budgeting on an old rate.
4. Connectivity
Two good options: a travel eSIM installed before you fly (works the moment you land), or a local SIM on arrival — note that local SIM registration requires documentation, so the eSIM is the lower-friction choice for shorter trips.
5. Ground arrangements
- Airport pickup: pre-book it. Arriving at Murtala Muhammed after a 12-hour journey is not the moment to negotiate transport.
- Accommodation: verified hotels or well-reviewed short-lets only. If a listing has no reviews and a too-good price, it's a no.
- Itinerary sharing: leave your accommodation details and rough schedule with someone at home.
The one-request version
Or skip the checklist entirely: send us your dates and we'll bundle flight, stay, and transfers into one quote, with a reminder list of the documents you need to sort. That's literally what the concierge service is for.
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