Kellytravels

Hi All,

I am about to venture on my first time of living abroad. I am well travelled but have always lived in the UK. My husband has accepted a position based in Port Harcourt in Nigeria, so I am giving up my job and following him.

I am aware of all the security risks, have visited both Port Harcourt and Lagos and I am completely comfortable with the decision - I just need to deal with the practicalities of moving abroad and may need some help!

It seems obtaining accurate and up to date information on Nigeria is an extremely tough task. Any advice will be gratefully received!

Kelly

bakedbean

Hi Kelly and welcome to the forum

I'm not sure how many posters we have in Nigeria but best place for you to ask some questions is in the Africa section of the forum. You'll find that on the index page under Rest of the World.

My husband travelled and worked in port harcourt a couple of times in the past and it's not a place he wishes to return to. Having said that, that was many years ago so maybe it has improved and changed. Hope so. Hope it all works out well.

Kellytravels

Thanks for your reply. Things have improved a lot over there in the past couple of years. it is very difficult to get information so hopefully I may be able to help anybody wishing to make this move in the future :-)

bakedbean

Well, that's good to hear, and you've obviously done your homework. Hope you get some response in the Africa section.

Persephone

Just wanted to say hello and good luck with the move!
All the best
P

fuchs01

Try this site....www.internations.org/nigeria-expats.
You'll find all nationalities, dont just keep to the Brits, the whole Community
will have and share their experiences willingly.
I dont know about the last 10 years, but the Nigerians welcome the contact to
Foreigners, it depends how one socialises.
There are ethnic and tribal issues, again the mentioned site, would be more
than informitive.

Rosemary

Hello and a big welcome to BE.

Excellent information can be found in the BE Wiki, not forgetting the Living and Moving Abroad forum that will help you, another set of great help is the permanent threads at the TOP of each forum, they are very pertinent to that particular forum and makes sensible reading.

Moderators deal with any problems that arise such as inappropriate posts, spammers etc, you will find their names at the bottom right hand side of each forum's index in bold font.

Please contact me if I can give you any further help.

Rosemary

gaikokujinkyofusho

Hi Kelly, there is a possibility that I might be taking a job in Port Harcourt and too have found it difficult to find information about living there. I am a bit more worried about everyday life there for my wife just in terms of things to do. How has your year in Port Harcourt been thus far? any thoughts would really be appreciated!

bakedbean

Hi and welcome to the forum

As you can see, Kelly hasn't posted for quite a long while. Let's hope she responds to your post with some info

Bahtatboy

Konnichiwa! You'll be going from the sublime to the ridiculous if you're currently in Nihon and are headed to Port Harcourt. However, I do only have second-hand knowledge, but from three independent sources. The summation of what I've heard is:

a) Its corrupt as hell, and you have to go along with that to survive. Hopefully your employer will be savvy.

b) Security is everything, and is primarily dependent on point a) above, and secondarily on being street-smart. Life is cheap.

c) You can have a good time, but in a very restricted fashion. You'll need to discover and join a group of people who know what's what.

d) Respect is mutual. There are plenty of people there worthy of it, so you'll need to earn it for yourself to open up the exchange.

Ganbatte & goanzenni

gaikokujinkyofusho

@Bahtatboy Thanks for the reply.
Unfortunately I am not coming from Japan, no assignments that cushy at the moment Most of my assignments have been central Asia/Eastern Europe. We are fairly savvy but when it comes to traveling in rough places however there are places that are rough but not totally boring (Kabul early-mid 2000s, before it got really dangerous) and then there is mind numbing (Osh Kyrgyzstan). I've been trying to find some PCVs or VSOs that might-be/have-been out there that could give me an idea of how it is.

Part D, are you referring to a known community? we are open to meeting up with locals or expats, pretty much anyone like minded but there are places where there aren't many.

Cheers

Bahtatboy

Unfortunately not, my knowledge is only second hand but from reliable sources.

gaikokujinkyofusho

@Bahtatboy
Ah well, much appreciated for the info. Will keep poking around on the net for info (found out they have a functioning polo club there?! who woulda thunk?)