Your First 72 Hours in Nigeria: A Guide for Business Travellers and Expats

Preparing for Your First 72 Hours

Arriving in Nigeria for the first time can be exciting, particularly when your visit involves an important business meeting, a new assignment, an investment exploration trip or a family relocation.

Your first few days can also involve unfamiliar transportation arrangements, accommodation check-ins, communication challenges and new surroundings. A well-organized arrival helps reduce uncertainty and gives you more time to focus on your purpose.

Day 1: Prepare Your Arrival Documents

Before departure, confirm the passport, visa or entry permissions applicable to your nationality and purpose of travel.

Foreign visitors should check Nigeria's current arrival-document requirements through the official Nigeria Immigration Service. Keep essential travel documents and accommodation details accessible throughout your journey.

Arrange Your Airport Transfer in Advance

After a long international flight, arranging transportation at the last minute can create unnecessary delays and confusion.

Before landing, confirm your pickup contact and meeting point, flight arrival details, destination, transfer arrangements and how to contact your coordinator if plans change. For corporate visitors, the person organizing the trip should also have a reliable point of contact.

Settle into Suitable Accommodation

Your accommodation should match the purpose and duration of your visit. A short business trip may require convenient access to meeting venues, while an extended project assignment may benefit from a furnished apartment with suitable work and living facilities.

Confirm your check-in arrangements, essential amenities, internet availability and transport accessibility before arrival.

Day 2: Establish Reliable Communication

Being reachable is important when coordinating business meetings, transport or work assignments. Consider your mobile roaming options, local SIM eligibility, internet connectivity and alternative communication channels.

Share your updated contact information with the people responsible for your visit.

Understand Local Transportation

Lagos and Abuja have different travel patterns, road networks and journey times. Plan important movements ahead of time, allow reasonable travel buffers and use transportation arrangements suited to your itinerary.

If you are attending several meetings or visiting project sites, coordinated ground transportation may be easier to manage than organizing every journey separately.

Get Familiar with Your Neighbourhood

Identify useful places around your accommodation, including nearby healthcare facilities, supermarkets, business districts and transport access points.

A structured local orientation can make the first few days easier, particularly for employees relocating with their families.

Day 3: Confirm Your Business Schedule

Review meeting locations, contact persons, appointment times and transport arrangements.

If you are visiting Nigeria to explore business opportunities, prepare the questions, documentation and information you need for productive conversations.

Plan the Rest of Your Stay

By the third day, assess whether your accommodation, transportation and communication arrangements are meeting your needs.

For longer assignments, consider additional support such as home search, school search, settling-in coordination or other relocation services.

Establish a Dependable Local Support Contact

International visitors can benefit from having a local contact who understands the logistics of their itinerary and can help coordinate changing requirements.

This can be especially useful for companies managing multiple employees, visiting executives or international project teams.

How GVSS Supports Your Arrival in Nigeria

G & V Support Services Limited provides destination and global mobility support for individuals, families and organizations visiting or relocating to Nigeria.

Available services include airport arrival coordination, transportation arrangements, accommodation support, local orientation and settling-in assistance. Through Leadwood Homes, visitors can also enquire about short-term and extended-stay housing options, subject to current availability.

Whether you are arriving for a conference, business meeting, project assignment or relocation, GVSS can help you plan a more organized transition into Nigeria.

Travel requirements and service availability should always be confirmed before departure.