by Staff writer
On a travel forum, two foreigners give accounts of their trip and stay in Nigeria.
Who of the two do you believe? And why?
Foreigner 1:
“I was born in Nigeria but my Irish mum returned home when I was ten.
15years on, we returned to Nigeria and I got the shock of my life.
Hell on earth is putting it mildly. Please if you value your life, stay clear of that country. Can’t drink even the so-called bottled water which is often tampered with.
The food was nice [I love all foods] but the air pollution there is unbelievable. The air [if any in the over-populated Lagos] just smelt of petrol, burning lead and God knows what else.
Once you are a foreigner, you will be targeted. The people are so rude and hostile, abject poverty everywhere and the worse and unimaginable lack of sanitation across the entire country. Roads [what’s roads] were plotted with massive wholes that cars fall into whilst driving alone on the motorway [if you can call it that].
Thieves everywhere and please foreigner, don’t dear enter the public transport because they are death traps for thieves and muggers.
My four weeks there was a nightmare and I will forever be thankful for what I have in Ireland.
Please stay clear of Nigeria if you value your life.”
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Foreigner 2:
“Whilst Nigeria is not the greatest place on earth I wouldn’t go quite as far!!!
I have been to Nigeria seven times in total now in the last four years and well I really don’t think it is that bad!
I have never had any problem with the water, including the ‘pure water’ sold in small plastic bags – maybe I have just been lucky!
Yes the air pollution is not great but any major city in the developing world, in my experience has the same problem!
As a foreigner I would say that if anything I was not targeted, aside from beggars on the street. At all the police check points etc, the fact that I was a foreigner meant they did not hassle me and did not take money. In fact when there have been hairy situations, the fact that I am a foreigner has meant the locals have went out of their way to ensure that I am okay.
The people are not rude and hostile, they are just trying to survive. They stare, yes, because they are curious, but a smile always returns a smile and I was greeted as a long lost family member at markets and everywhere I went.
These were not people trying to extort money but people genuinely pleased to see a foreigner in their country — lets face it, they don’t get a lot!
On lack of sanitation, I would disagree. I found facilities in Lagos surprisingly better than in the likes of Laos, Myamar and some parts of Thailand.
The roads are not great but I saw a massive improvement this year compared to last year — especially in Lagos.
I would never recommend any stranger to Lagos goes on public transport — in fact avoid all public transport unless cross country!
Yes it is not the greatest but it is getting better and better. Whilst I would not immediately suggest someone goes there to re-settle or for tourism, I would not ever discourage someone from visiting friends or family.”
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Both reports were written in the same year.
They were only slightly edited for typos.
