Notes from Agidigbi
I made a few observations during my trip to Lagos.
At Heathrow, a British guy holding naira notes in a transparent bag approached me. He wanted to sell me naira notes. I politely refused. It just looked wrong. I am probably making a fuss out of something that is probably common to other frequent Nigerian travellers. Nigerians do carry a lot of stuff. Did you know that only flights to Nigeria and America have a 32kg weight limit per bag, other countries have a mere 20kg limit.
First guy I spoke said to, “dude I thought you said you were based in London” It seemed my sessions with Ben TV had paid off.
The only form of transport that guarantees your arrival to a destination on time is the okada. It is not the safest I might add.
National Electricity Power Authority (NEPA) has changed its name to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). As the name suggests, it is holding power. It can choose to take or release the power as it wishes. The smart way to outmanoeuvre the PHCN is have both diesel and petroleum generators.
A nice house in Ikoyi will cost you 80 million naira (£0.32 million). If you are after some capital gain, I suggest you get a few plots near Lagos-Ibadan expressway. Lagos is expanding outward.
All the fun is on the Island (Victoria Island, Lekki, Ikoyi). If you go to Silverbird Galleria in December/January, you will definitely find someone you know regardless of where you have been in last 7years.
I think most Expatriates in Lagos hang out at Saipan. If you are visiting Nigeria, at least you know where to find your people.
Takeaway is big business in Nigeria, so many of joints now (Big treat, Mr Biggs etc). Even Ogun state has a Mr Biggs. A nice meal (pounded yam with efo and assorted meat) will cost you 700 naira (£3) compared with £14 in Nigerian restaurants in London.
Remember Video clubs? Well those clubs have disappeared. Pushed out of business by VCD and DVD technologies, which are extremely cheap to purchase.
There are more local TV stations (AIT, Mbi, MiTV, Silverbird TV) in Lagos. I noticed DBN has ceased to exist. Nollywood movies have replaced the 10pm slot for Hollywood movies at most stations.
I can now do the electric slide.
I think Glo has the coolest brand in the Nigerian telecoms sector. I still can’t believe that MTN is making that much money, someone send me the company’s financial statement.
Tags: Africa, Nigeria, Travel
Comments (3)
Astute observations, they mirrored mine this year. Does that mean all diasporic nigerians are eternally destined to view the country through the same eyes? Or does it mean that the longer you stay away, the clearer you see things?!
Really do think the longer you stay, the clearer things are. The system in nigeria has a way of frustrating people. The observations stick to the back of your mind but you just live with it.
South Africa is making progress, Nigeria could be next…at least I hope so.
This is so true. Read my Notes from Agidigibi about Lagos.
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