thanks for the heads up.

looks like i'm going to have to ask for danger pay on top of the standard ex-pat salary.

Cheers!!

 

Cliff is spot on. There are places in Africa you don't want to see. So you have to be careful. As soon as you talk they as soon as you talk and people know you are American and you can very easily become someones meal ticket ransom. Then there are places like NBO that are not bad if you can get used to the African way of doing things. If you've never flown here before it can take a lot of getting used to.

Ref

 

If you can somehow not end up in Lagos, I would do it. The city really is dangerous. Roads are atrocious. Traffic horrendous. Crime notorious. Scamming and bribery a way of life. Open sewers, trash dumped everywhere, burnt out cars everywhere (I haven't figured why there are so many), you will get malaria (but you'll get it in many other places besides Lagos). Food will take a while to get used to (no fast food either).

Our drivers (most of the time) bring along a guard with an AK-47, or a Mossberg shotgun. But my biggest concern is not the generic thugs, but the corrupt police themselves, and those that wear stolen police uniforms. Every night, impromptu road blocks to get money out of motorists who stop (I always cringed when the cab/van driver keeps going, even when the "police" are waving a flashlight and AK-47).

There are several ok hotels near the Lagos airport, in Ikeja. The Sheraton is probably the best known, but there are others. Most overnight airline crews stay there.

Eko hotel on Victoria Island, about 20 miles south of the airport (and 30 minutes to several hours to get there) is nice, but if you have to travel there at night over the long bridge, good luck. They're waiting for you.

But, without question, Victoria Island is the best place to be near Lagos. I think this news article might confirm that:

Lufthansa moves ground operations to Victoria Island

Aug 17, 2009 German carrier, Lufthansa Airlines, has relocated its Lagos office to Churchgate Tower on Victoria Island, to meet the need of its customers.
The relocation, which was effected on July 30, 2009, brings to an end the airline’s almost 50 years sojourn on Broad Street — the once burgeoning financial street of Lagos.

 

now that sounds brutal. believe me when I say, I won't end up in Lagos, life's to short.

Thanks for all the input guys.