I will be the first to admit that Nigeria’s media coverage doesn’t present the country in the most favorable light. In fact, it leads me to believe it’s why the country is overlooked when it comes to planning for a holiday. Then again, when I really stop to think about the media coverage of African countries, they’re usually depicted in a negative and scary light, which reinforces fear about even considering a holiday in the motherland. In this post, I want to show you why Lagos should be on your bucket list of places to visit in Africa.
This celebrated West African nation is famous for many things, notably its important tech industry, insatiable nightlife, and arts and music scene. Not to mention Lagos is the biggest capital in Africa and home to over 250 ethnic groups and languages. I can guarantee that you will never experience a country like Nigeria, and I promise you’ll leave with stories for years to come.
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This is the first post in the Nigeria travel series. Here’s the complete 10-part series:
Nigeria Travel Series
Bucket List: 7 Reasons Why You Should Visit Nigeria At Least Once
Travel Guide: The Ultimate Lagos, Nigeria Travel Guide: For First-Time Visitors
Food: 9 Popular Foods To Eat In Nigeria
Packing Guide: The Complete Packing List for Your Trip to Nigeria
Travel Tips: 13 Things You Need To Know Before Visiting Lagos, Nigeria
Inspiration: 15 Photos That Will Make You Want To Visit Nigeria
Tourist Visa: 5 Tips for U.S. Citizens Applying for a Nigerian Tourist Visa
Lagos: 11 Best Things To do in Lagos
My Story: Homegoing: Reuniting with My Biological Family
Travel Itinerary: How to spend 5-day in Lagos, Nigeria
Bucket list: 7 Reasons Why You Should Visit Lagos, Nigeria At Least Once
1. Nigerians are incredibly warm and friendly
It’s only fitting to start this post with the people! Nigerians are the kindest, friendliest and loudest people around.
We can’t help it. It’s in our blood! I should also mention we are hospitable people, and given how culturally diverse the country is, we welcome other cultures with open arms.
Nigerians also have a great sense of humor and find joy and celebrate the simple things in life. If you are befriended by a Nigerian, I promise they will either want to feed you or make sure you are always having a good time. Probably a mix of both!
2. The enjoyment is real
Despite the political and economic issues the country experiences, Nigerians are known for their vibrant energy and take their enjoyment pretty seriously.
Here you will see people enjoying themselves, whether getting all dressed up for an all-night party extravaganza club-hopping in Victoria Islands or throwing back a few Star beers while watching a soccer match in Festac.
Regardless of the occasion, we are always looking to have a fun time and go above and beyond to ensure that our guests receive VIP treatment!
3. Jollof rice
I know I will start some trouble by saying this, but Naija jollof rice is hands down the indisputable champion compared to Ghana’s jollof rice. While Ghana jollof rice is a favorite among many, there’s simply no comparing our rice to any in West Africa!
What makes our jollof rice so unique, you might ask? For starters, this tomato-based rice dish can be cooked in many ways consisting of endless meats, spices, chills, onions, and vegetables. The spices and flavors complement each other so well that you will want to have more than one serving!
This dish is a staple at many parties and is usually spicy, so if you enjoy spicy foods, I can guarantee you will love this dish.
I believe our love of cooking makes this dish a favorite by many. Believe it or not, making jollof rice at home is pretty easy to follow, and I recommend this recipe to ignite your taste buds and impress your guest during y our next dinner party.
Insider Tip: The culture tip offers a list of the best places to try jollof rice in Lagos!
4. We live for fashion
Fashion and style go hand in hand when talking about Nigerians. We live to stunt no matter the occasion. Whether you’re attending a wedding, family gathering, or funeral, expect to see extravagant and colorful pieces of clothing.
Fashion and textiles are the second largest in the African sector and are gaining international attention. In fact, in 2011, Omoyemi Akerele founded Lagos Fashion Week (LFWNG) to highlight talented African designers and bring fashion enthusiasts together.
While I haven’t had the opportunity to witness LFWNG first-hand, I know this will definitely be an event I attend during my next visit home! If you visit Lagos in April, don’t miss out on the chance to experience this incredible multi-day fashion event.
5. Nollywood nation
The name Nollywood comes from Hollywood, the epicenter of the production of movies within the United States. Nigeria is home to the second-largest movie producers and generates over $590 million yearly. India’s Bollywood is a close third.
Nollywood films offer something unique and have a massive following worldwide.
I love our movies because of the most outlandish and wildly entertaining storylines: infidelity, servant-master relationships, sibling rivalry, the supernatural, and corruption.
If you’ve never seen a Nollywood film, you are missing out! The next time you watch something on Netflix, which will be sooner than later, tune into an amusing Nollywood film for comedy and drama, and even catch some of our slang! Netflix has a vast collection of movies you can watch right at your fingertips.
6. Rich culture & history
Nigeria undoubtedly has one of the oldest cultures in Africa. In every corner of Nigeria, you will find culture, our rich history, and even essential contributions to the rest of the world, most notably our music. You can hear our melodic beats in practically every genre of music out there.
To get first-hand experience of our culture, here are a few places in Lagos that will give you the inside scoop on the contributions we’ve made to the music industry and society:
Afro-Brazilian cultural center
This cultural center is THE place to experience and learn about the slave route out of Badargy outside of Lagos. Here you will learn about the story of freed enslaved people returning from countries like Brazil to their home country, Nigeria, in the early 19th century.
The “agudas,” known as the Brazilian returnees, established Lagos’s Brazilian quarters bringing back aspects of their culture, flare, and the Catholic religion, which can be seen mainly within the architecture of the surrounding buildings.
Insider Tip: To visit the Brazilian Quarters in Lagos, visit the following areas: Upper Campos Square on Campos Street, Marina Road, Campbell Street, Igbosere Road, Broad Street, and Tinubu Square.
Freedom park
This historical landmark now turned park was formerly the Queen of Englands’s Old Broad Street Prison. Here you will find the preservation of Nigeria’s history and cultural heritage. Come here to learn about the history and different cultural groups that make up our vibrant country!
The park offers an open stage, an amphitheater, a food court, a museum, and an art gallery. Before you leave, don’t miss out on the chance to take a photo of Nigeria’s founding fathers.
Afrikan Shire
This open-air entertainment center and art gallery were built by Femi Kuti to honor his father, Fela Kuti, a Nigerian musician and human rights activist known for putting Afrobeats on the map.
Musical performances are held here regularly and are not to be missed! The Felabration, a music festival, is held during the week of Fela Kuti’s birthday to celebrate and honor his life.
7. Experience the Calabar Carnival
As I mentioned before, Nigerians are masters of enjoyment. We know how to party and have a good time! Masquerades and festivals are very important in Nigerian culture.
Many believe they represent and embody our ancestors, while others believe they are representations of our Gods. Either way, they serve as essential parts of Nigerian pre-colonial religious traditions.
Today, most of these festivities are held during Christmas, which makes sense given the number of people from abroad who return home during the holidays.
Don’t miss the Calabar Carnival during Christmas if you are in Nigeria. Known as Africa’s biggest street party and the pride of Africa, this festival is a month-long celebration.
Masqueraders travel from village to village performing dances, acrobatics, and reciting incantations.
While most people think of Brazil or Trinidad as the world’s best carnival, Calabar is the originator of the carnival! So without Nigeria, there would be no carnivals worldwide, period!
It’s a tremendous sense of pride for me, given my love of carnivals and my goal to attend all of them worldwide! While I haven’t experienced Calabar carnival first-hand, it’s the first thing I will do when I return home in December.
Conclusion – Lady Chin’s Two Cents
Like every place in the world, you must have street smarts and be aware of your surroundings. Don’t let the media and other people’s perceptions of Nigeria fool or scare you into thinking it’s too dangerous to visit. Admittedly there are a few activities on this list that I’ve never experienced and can’t wait to explore during my next visit.
Have I convinced you to visit Lagos and add it to your travel bucket list? I certainly hope so!
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