I first travelled to Lagos in the summer of 2011. Yes, I know.... British-born Nigerian kid finally decides to explore her roots after two decade’s...
I got to meet my relatives after all those years briefly speaking over the phone and seeing the odd picture.
I travelled on my own, my aunt (who is my actual aunt) met me at the airport. Everyone said I was crazy for going alone. My parents were not too happy either but I just had to satisfy this yearning and finally experience what it was like to go back home. As a child, my mother travelled back to Nigeria for vacation every few years or so. My elder sister accompanied her on one occasion and seemed to enjoy it. Up till now just the two of us (out of six siblings) have visited Nigeria.
STEREOTYPES
Now I'm going to be honest, before I left in August fear was instilled by others around me. remember this was me someone who had never travelled outside of Europe and north Africa before, now visiting Lagos the bustling ex-capital of Nigeria.
I was informed of arm robberies, rampant corruption, traffic, ritual killings, pickpocketing, kidnapping, bloated dead bodies on roadsides, and 419 (fraud), so pretty much all manner of organised crimes. I remember one particular friend who often travels to Lagos alone giving me the DOs and DONTs. She said upon arrival I should clutch my handbag tightly and be vigilant as pickpockets are rife, people will be grabbing me left right and center for a taxi ride.
Upon arrival, nothing happened....I was expecting something to...nothing did. Yes once I left arrivals plenty of taxi drivers approached asking if I needed a lift but nobody grabbed me. I politely declined the offers and moved on.
I was informed of arm robberies, rampant corruption, traffic, ritual killings, pickpocketing, kidnapping, bloated dead bodies on roadsides, and 419 (fraud), so pretty much all manner of organised crimes. I remember one particular friend who often travels to Lagos alone giving me the DOs and DONTs. She said upon arrival I should clutch my handbag tightly and be vigilant as pickpockets are rife, people will be grabbing me left right and center for a taxi ride.
The Reality
Upon arrival, nothing happened....I was expecting something to...nothing did. Yes once I left arrivals plenty of taxi drivers approached asking if I needed a lift but nobody grabbed me. I politely declined the offers and moved on.
Out of all the things I was told of (listed above) I experienced just two; traffic and corruption. unfortunately, the latter is embedded in the Nigerian system and cannot be avoided, but you can choose whether to feed the habit or not. I experienced several situations where bribes were expected and I did not give in, especially not at the airport. As for traffic well, I remember one occasion where I left Victoria Island at around 16.30 hrs. I didn’t arrive at my destination on the mainland until 21.30. I think Lagos is simply overpopulated, too many cars, no decent public transport, not enough expressways and poorly maintained roads mean everyone has to take the same routes. A new sustainable method of public transport needs to be created URGENTLY.
I hear attempts are being made….
I hear attempts are being made….
I spent most of my first visit travelling between Lagos and Ondo state! I had an amazing time. People were extremely warm and friendly despite living in what we would describe here in the UK as relative poverty. To them as long as they had a roof over their heads and a means of survival they had a reason to thank God Every day. A great sense of community and I can truly say that what the UK has lost Nigeria has gained and what Nigeria Has Lost the UK has gained.
To keep up with my Lagos adventure follow @folatheexplora on Instagram.
To keep up with my Lagos adventure follow @folatheexplora on Instagram.
