Nigeria operates primarily as a cash economy outside major cities, with the naira subject to significant volatility against foreign currencies. The Central Bank of Nigeria maintains an official exchange rate that frequently diverges from parallel market rates by 30 to 50 percent. Foreign visitors typically access better rates through authorized dealers in Lagos and Abuja than at airport kiosks, where margins routinely exceed 15 percent. ATMs in Nigeria dispense maximum withdrawals of 20,000 to 40,000 naira per transaction depending on the institution, with daily limits frequently capped at 100,000 naira. International cards function reliably only at machines operated by Guaranty Trust Bank, Access Bank, Zenith Bank, and United Bank for Africa in major cities. Point-of-sale terminals accepting foreign cards exist in upscale hotels and shopping centers in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, but cash remains necessary for 80 percent of transactions nationwide. The Lagos Ikeja and Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe airports maintain 24-hour currency exchange bureaus, though rates trail city center dealers by 8 to 12 percent. U.S. dollars and euros encounter acceptance, but pounds sterling face resistance outside international hotels.
Budget accommodation in Nigeria concentrates in university towns and state capitals, where guesthouses charge 3,000 to 8,000 naira per night for basic rooms with inconsistent electricity and shared bathrooms. These facilities rarely appear on international booking platforms, requiring direct phone contact or walk-in arrangements. Jos, Enugu, and Calabar maintain concentrations of such establishments near motor parks and markets. Mid-range hotels charging 15,000 to 35,000 naira nightly provide private bathrooms, air conditioning dependent on generator availability, and breakfast consisting of bread, eggs, and instant coffee. The Transcorp Hilton Abuja posts rack rates beginning at 85,000 naira, while the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos starts at 95,000 naira for standard rooms. Short-term apartment rentals through local agencies in Victoria Island and Ikoyi districts of Lagos run 120,000 to 400,000 naira weekly for one-bedroom units, with security deposits matching one week's rent. Serviced apartments in Abuja's Maitama and Wuse 2 neighborhoods command similar rates. Budget hotels in Kano and Kaduna average 8,000 to 14,000 naira, concentrated along Ibrahim Taiwo Road and Constitution Road respectively. Port Harcourt accommodation prices exceed Lagos equivalents by 15 to 25 percent due to oil industry demand.
Local meals at roadside bukkas and mama put establishments cost 300 to 800 naira for plates of jollof rice, fried rice, or beans with plantain and protein portions of chicken, fish, or beef. These vendors operate from 7 AM until 9 PM in residential areas and until midnight near nightlife zones. A standard plate of pounded yam with egusi soup and assorted meat runs 800 to 1,500 naira. Suya vendors charge by weight, with 100 grams of spiced grilled beef costing 500 to 800 naira depending on cut quality and location. Street food including akara, puff puff, and boli ranges from 50 to 200 naira per item. Mid-range restaurants in Lagos neighborhoods like Ikeja, Yaba, and Surulere charge 2,500 to 5,000 naira for main courses, with rice dishes at the lower end and seafood preparations approaching the upper range. The Yellow Chilli chain operates across multiple cities with menu prices from 3,000 to 7,000 naira for Nigerian and continental dishes. Upscale dining at establishments like Shiro in Lagos or Zuma Grill in Abuja runs 8,000 to 25,000 naira per main course before drinks and service charges. International fast food chains including KFC, Domino's, and Cold Stone Creamery maintain Lagos and Abuja presences, with combo meals priced 2,800 to 4,500 naira. Local alternatives like Tantalizers and Mr. Bigg's charge 1,500 to 3,000 naira for similar offerings. Breakfast at hotel restaurants typically costs 2,000 to 5,000 naira buffet-style or 1,200 to 3,500 naira à la carte. Bottled water sells for 100 to 200 naira for 75cl bottles at kiosks, doubling at hotels and restaurants. Local beer including Star, Gulder, and Trophy costs 300 to 500 naira at bars and 200 to 350 naira at retail shops, while imported beers run 600 to 1,200 naira. Palm wine in southern states sells for 200 to 400 naira per bottle from tappers.
Intercity transportation by bus operates through companies including ABC Transport, GUO Transport, and God is Good Motors on major routes. Lagos to Abuja costs 6,000 to 9,000 naira for standard coaches and 12,000 to 18,000 naira for executive services with air conditioning and fewer stops over the 10 to 13 hour journey. Lagos to Port Harcourt runs 5,500 to 8,500 naira standard class for the 8 to 11 hour trip. Kano to Abuja costs 4,000 to 6,500 naira over 8 to 10 hours. Shared taxis following fixed intercity routes charge 20 to 40 percent premiums over bus fares but reduce journey times by 15 to 25 percent through fewer stops. Lagos to Ibadan shared taxis cost 2,000 to 3,000 naira for the 90-minute journey versus 1,500 to 2,000 naira by bus. Domestic flights on Air Peace, Arik Air, and Dana Air between Lagos and Abuja range from 35,000 to 85,000 naira depending on booking advance and time of day, with the one-hour flight operating 15 to 20 times daily. Lagos to Port Harcourt flights cost 40,000 to 95,000 naira, while Lagos to Kano runs 45,000 to 110,000 naira. Baggage allowances on domestic carriers limit checked luggage to 20 kilograms with excess charges of 1,000 naira per kilogram.
Urban transportation in Lagos relies primarily on yellow danfo minibuses charging 100 to 400 naira for trips within the mainland or island, with cross-bridge routes from mainland to Victoria Island or Lekki running 300 to 500 naira. The Lagos Bus Rapid Transit system operates dedicated lanes on Ikorodu Road and Lekki-Epe Expressway, charging flat fares of 300 naira for trips up to 30 kilometers and 400 naira beyond that threshold using rechargeable cowry cards purchased at stations. Motorcycle taxis called okada charge 100 to 300 naira for short trips under 3 kilometers in areas where they remain legal, having faced bans in Lagos Island, Victoria Island, Lekki, Ikeja, and other districts since 2020. Metered taxis exist rarely, with most fares negotiated in advance at rates of 150 to 250 naira per kilometer. Ride-hailing services Uber and Bolt operate in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan, with Lagos trips within the island averaging 1,500 to 3,500 naira and mainland-to-island journeys running 2,500 to 5,500 naira depending on traffic. Abuja's organized layout produces lower per-kilometer rates, with trips across the city center ranging from 1,200 to 3,000 naira. Keke NAPEP motorized tricycles charge 50 to 150 naira for short urban trips in most cities outside Lagos where they face restrictions. Car rental in Lagos and Abuja through firms like Avis Nigeria and Charter House runs 18,000 to 35,000 naira daily for compact cars and 45,000 to 95,000 naira for SUVs, with insurance and fuel additional. Fuel costs approximately 617 naira per liter as of late 2024 following subsidy removals, though prices fluctuate monthly.
Entrance fees to Yankari National Park in Bauchi State total 1,000 naira for Nigerian residents and 5,000 naira for foreign visitors, with vehicle entry adding 2,000 naira. The park's Wikki Warm Spring charges an additional 500 naira access fee. Accommodation within Yankari at the Wikki Camp ranges from 8,000 naira for basic rooms to 25,000 naira for chalets. Cross River National Park charges 2,000 naira entry for citizens and 10,000 naira for foreigners, though infrastructure limitations restrict casual visitation without organized tours. The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove UNESCO World Heritage Site in Osun State charges 1,000 naira for Nigerians and 2,000 naira for foreign visitors, with guided tours included in the fee. The Nike Art Gallery in Lagos maintains free admission but expects purchases from the extensive collection of textiles, sculptures, and paintings priced from 5,000 to several million naira. Olumo Rock in Abeokuta charges 1,000 naira admission with 500 naira for the elevator to the summit. The Lekki Conservation Centre in Lagos costs 1,000 naira entry with an additional 1,000 naira to access the canopy walkway suspended 20 meters above swamp forest. The National Museum Lagos charges 200 naira for Nigerians and 1,000 naira for foreigners. Photography permits at federal museums add 500 to 1,000 naira depending on equipment type.
Organized tours to the Sukur Cultural Landscape in Adamawa State, Nigeria's only UNESCO-listed cultural site beyond Osun-Osogbo, run 150,000 to 300,000 naira for three-day packages from Abuja or Yola including transportation, guide fees, and basic accommodation, with group sizes of 4 to 8 participants reducing per-person costs. Day tours of Lagos arranged through local operators cost 25,000 to 45,000 naira per person including transportation to Lekki Conservation Centre, Nike Art Gallery, and Freedom Park, with lunch at local restaurants. Abuja city tours run 15,000 to 30,000 naira visiting Aso Rock, Zuma Rock, and the National Mosque. Calabar Carnival packages during the December festival period cost 180,000 to 400,000 naira for four-day arrangements including accommodation, parade access, and boat trips on the Cross River, with prices doubling during the peak week. Obudu Mountain Resort packages from Calabar or Enugu run 80,000 to 150,000 naira for two-day stays including cable car access, accommodation, and meals, with the resort located in Cross River State near the Cameroon border.
Mobile phone SIM cards from MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile cost 200 to 500 naira with registration requiring national ID or passport. Data bundles for 5GB valid 30 days cost 2,000 to 3,000 naira across carriers, while 1.5GB weekly plans run 1,000 to 1,200 naira. Voice calls cost 11 to 15 kobo per second to same-network numbers and 15 to 20 kobo to other networks. Internet cafes in university towns and commercial districts charge 100 to 200 naira per hour. Laundry services in Lagos and Abuja charge 1,500 to 3,000 naira per kilogram for wash-and-fold, with express same-day service adding 50 percent. Barbershops in urban areas charge 500 to 2,000 naira for haircuts depending on neighborhood, while salons charge 3,000 to 15,000 naira for women's styling. Malaria rapid diagnostic tests at pharmacies cost 500 to 1,000 naira, with artemisinin-based combination therapy courses priced 1,200 to 3,000 naira. Private clinic consultations in Lagos range from 5,000 to 15,000 naira for general practitioners and 15,000 to 40,000 naira for specialists.
Weekly grocery costs for self-catering run approximately 8,000 to 15,000 naira purchasing rice at 700 to 1,200 naira per kilogram, chicken at 1,800 to 2,500 naira per kilogram, tomatoes at 400 to 800 naira per kilogram, onions at 300 to 600 naira per kilogram, bread at 600 to 1,200 naira per loaf, and eggs at 1,800 to 2,500 naira per 12-count carton at markets in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. Supermarket chains including ShopRite, Spar, and Ebeano charge 20 to 40 percent premiums over open-air markets for equivalent items but provide consistent refrigeration and imported products. Local markets like Balogun Market in Lagos and Wuse Market in Abuja offer the lowest prices but require aggressive bargaining from 30 to 50 percent below initial quotes.
Cultural performances and nightlife costs vary significantly by venue class. Live music at Terra Kulture in Lagos charges 2,000 to 5,000 naira cover depending on the performer, with drinks priced 800 to 3,000 naira. New Afrika Shrine, established by Femi Kuti to continue his father Fela Kuti's legacy, charges 1,500 to 3,000 naira entry on performance nights with local beer at standard bar prices. Nightclubs in Victoria Island and Ikoyi including Quilox and The Vault require 5,000 to 20,000 naira entry on weekends with bottle service for spirits starting at 50,000 naira. Cinema tickets at Silverbird, Filmhouse, and Genesis Deluxe cost 2,500 to 4,000 naira for standard screenings and 5,000 to 8,000 naira for premium formats. Traditional performances at cultural centers typically charge 1,000 to 3,000 naira admission.
Monthly costs for extended stays in Lagos reach 450,000 to 900,000 naira for foreign visitors maintaining mid-range accommodation at 150,000 to 300,000 naira, dining primarily at mid-range restaurants at 120,000 to 200,000 naira, using ride-hailing for most transport at 60,000 to 100,000 naira, and covering mobile data, entertainment, and incidentals at 120,000 to 300,000 naira. Budget-conscious travelers using guesthouses, local restaurants, public transportation, and minimal activities can operate on 150,000 to 250,000 naira monthly. Abuja costs track 10 to 20 percent below Lagos for equivalent categories. Cities including Ibadan, Enugu, Jos, and Kaduna operate 30 to 50 percent below Lagos baselines.
Bribes and unofficial fees complicate budget planning. Police checkpoints on intercity routes frequently solicit 200 to 500 naira from commercial drivers, costs often passed to passengers. Airport facilitation fees requested by porters and unofficial guides range from 500 to 2,000 naira depending on assertiveness. Hotel check-ins occasionally involve requests for tips of 500 to 1,000 naira to expedite room allocation. These informal charges add unpredictable costs of 2,000 to 5,000 naira daily for travelers unfamiliar with refusal protocols.
Seasonal price variations affect the December to January period when diaspora returnees increase demand. Domestic flight prices rise 30 to 60 percent, accommodation in Lagos and Abuja increases 40 to 80 percent, and intercity bus fares add 20 to 30 percent. The Calabar Carnival in late December specifically drives accommodation costs in Cross River State to triple normal rates. The Muslim holy month of Ramadan produces minimal price impact beyond reduced food vendor hours in northern cities. The rainy season from April through October creates no systematic price changes but increases transportation times and fuel consumption on degraded roads, potentially adding 10 to 20 percent to negotiated taxi and rental car costs.
Imported goods including electronics, toiletries, and processed foods carry substantial markups. Electronics at retail shops in Computer Village Lagos or Wuse 2 Abuja run 40 to 80 percent above U.S. online prices due to tariffs and limited competition. Visitors requiring specific medications, contact lens solution, or cosmetic products should import supplies, as availability proves inconsistent and prices double international baselines when found.