Essentials
- City
- Lekki, Lagos State, Nigeria
- Population
- Approximately 450,000
- Internet Speed
- Fiber connectivity available via FiberOne and Starlink, speeds up to 100 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- Nigerian Naira (NGN), 1 USD ≈ 1,500 NGN (Variable). Official and Parallel rates differ significantly.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled water like Cway or SWAN (~500 NGN per 1.5L)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (British style). Frequent outages; most areas rely on backup generators or solar.
- SIM Card
- MTN (best coverage) and Airtel. 20GB data pack costs approx. 5,000 NGN ($3.30 USD)
- Banking for Expats
- Zenith Bank, GTCo, and Kuda Bank for digital-first users. Use Moniepoint for local POS.
- Accommodation
- Lekki Phase 1 for high-end, Ajah for budget. Use PropertyPro.ng or Private Property Nigeria.
- Cashless Friendly
- Highly cashless. Bank transfers and POS terminals are used everywhere.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Booking.com. Prices range from $50 - $120/night for decent studios.
- Budget Accommodation
- B-Hive Hostel (Lekki Phase 1) or GuestHouse (Agungi) approx. 15,000 - 25,000 NGN/night.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Lekki Phase 1 (Admiralty Way area) for nightlife and proximity to attractions.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- VGC (Victoria Garden City) or Chevron Drive for better security and stable power setups.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Venia Business Hub (Lekki Phase 1) - Day pass approx. 5,000 NGN.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Art Café or Vestar Coffee (Admiralty Way) - Quiet with reliable Wi-Fi.
- Networking Events
- Lagos Digital Nomad Meetup (bi-monthly) and Techpoint Africa events.
- Social Events for Expats
- Internations Lagos Chapter events often held at RSVP or Hard Rock Cafe.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber and Bolt are standard. InDrive for negotiated prices.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- No formal rental; commercial bikes (Okadas) are banned in Lekki. Use private car hires.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Landmark Beach (Victoria Island) or Elegushi Private Beach (Lekki).
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Peace - Flights to Abuja or Accra approx. 80,000 - 150,000 NGN.
- Top International Airline
- Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Virgin Atlantic via Murtala Muhammed International (LOS).
- Highway Access
- Lekki-Epe Expressway is the main artery. Expect high tolls at Lekki Link Bridge (400-1000 NGN).
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Lagos Blue Line (Marina to Mile 2) - Lekki is mainly served by BRT buses and private cars.
- Public Transport Passes
- Cowry Card (Used for BRT buses and Blue Line train).
- Regional Travel
- GIGM (God is Good Motors) for comfortable bus travel to other Nigerian cities.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Evercare Hospital (Lekki Phase 1) - International standard facility.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Lagree (Lekki Phase 1) - Classes approx. 7,000 NGN/session.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- i-Fitness (Lekki and Agungi locations) - Monthly sub approx. 25,000 NGN.
- Laundry Services
- Clean Ace Dry Cleaners (Admiralty Way) - Professional pickup/delivery.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Chowdeck (fastest) or Glovo.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Jollof Rice with Dodo (Fried Plantain) - Try Yellow Chilli (Lekki).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Veggie Victory (Deliverable to Lekki) or salads at Orchid Bistro.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Hans and René (Gelato) or Chocolat Royal.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Jakande Market for fresh groceries/crafts; Shoprite (The Palms) for basics.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Jumia Nigeria or Konga.
- Grocery Delivery
- Pricesmart or Mano (delivery under 30 mins).
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Admiralty Way (Lekki Phase 1) featuring venues like W Bar and LiVE Lounge.
- Local Brewery
- Nigerian Breweries (Star, Gulder). Craft beer scene is small; try Bature Brewery (Victoria Island).
- Wine Bars
- The Wine Lab (Lekki) - Extensive global selection.
- Street Food Stalls
- Suya spots (Glover Court Suya nearby) - Avg 2,000 NGN per stick.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Shiro (Japanese/Asian) or RSVP (Modern American/European).
Other Services and Amenities
- Language Classes
- Alliance Française (Ikoyi) for French; local Yoruba tutors via Superprof.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- ZED Library (Lekki Phase 1) - Private study spaces available.
- Community Centers
- VGC Club (Access usually restricted to residents and guests).
- Gaming Lounges
- Madagaskar VR or Rufus & Bee (Twin Waters, Lekki).
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- The Federal Palace Casino (Victoria Island).
- Parcel Delivery Service
- GIG Logistics or DHL (Lekki Office).
- Tech Repair Services
- Slot (Admiralty Way) for phones; Computer Village (Ikeja) for major repairs.
- Table Tennis Spots
- The Lagos Country Club (Ikeja) or some local bars in Lekki.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 1,800,000 NGN per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 72,000,000 NGN / ~$48,000 USD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 1,000,000 NGN per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 40,000,000 NGN)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 1,600,000 NGN per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 96,000,000 NGN)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 900,000 NGN per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 54,000,000 NGN)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 1,500,000 NGN per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 120,000,000 NGN)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 850,000 NGN per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 68,000,000 NGN)
- Corporate Tax
- 30% (Large companies), 20% (Medium companies).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10%
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for residents (>183 days).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 24%
- VAT
- 7.5%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC legislation, but general anti-avoidance rules apply.
- Property Tax
- Yes, Land Use Charge (calculated based on property value).
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 3% - 5% Consent Fee + Capital Gains Tax.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Informal; many remote workers operate without local tax registration if earning from abroad.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Lekki Conservation Centre (Longest canopy walkway in Africa) - Entry 3,000 NGN.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Nike Art Gallery (Free entry) - Massive 4-story traditional art collection.
- Historical Sites
- Freedom Park (Lagos Island, short drive) - Former colonial prison turned park.
- Religious Sites
- The Rock Cathedral (House on the Rock) - Massive architectural wonder.
- Annual Events
- Gidi Culture Festival (Music/Arts) usually held at various Lekki beaches.
- Cultural Districts
- Victoria Island (Adjacent cultural and business hub).
- Theater Venues
- Terra Kulture (Victoria Island) - Best for Nigerian plays and musicals.
- Local Markets
- Lekki Arts and Crafts Market (Jakande) - Best for souvenirs.
- Music Scene
- Afrobeats experience at New Afrika Shrine (Ikeja, 1 hour away) or local Lekki lounges.
- Street Art
- Murals around Freedom Park and under the Falomo Bridge.
- Cooking Classes
- Red Dish Chronicles (Lekki Campus) - Nigerian and Continental cooking.
- Art Galleries
- Rele Gallery and OMENKA Gallery.
- Historic Buildings
- Water House and Brazillian Quarters (Lagos Island).
- Local Heritage
- Eyo masquerade festival ties (Lagos tradition).
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Lufasi Nature Park (Lekki-Epe Expressway) - Forest walks and animal rescue.
- National Parks Nearby
- Omo Forest Reserve (approx. 2.5 hours drive).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge (Popular for morning joggers and cyclists).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Top floor of high-rise hotels in Lekki Phase 1 overlooking Five Cowries Creek.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Lekki Conservation Centre wetlands.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Atican Beach or Tarkwa Bay (accessible by boat).