Nigeria
Africa's largest economy - tech boom, Nollywood, and Afrobeats
56/100 FutureLife Score #137 FutureLife Index 2026
56/100
FutureLife Score
#137
FutureLife Index 2026
Save to board
$900
Comfortable/mo
4.2/10
Safety
4.5/10
Healthcare
#95
Happiness rank
Key Scores
56/100
Higher = better
Future Life Score
4.2/10
Safety Index
4.5/10
Healthcare
#95
Lower = happier
Happiness Rank
Why people move to Nigeria
+Africa's largest economy and population
+Lagos - Africa's fastest-growing tech hub
+Nollywood is the world's 2nd-largest film industry
+Afrobeats took over global music charts
+English-speaking, highly entrepreneurial culture
Tech BoomEnglish SpeakingWest Africa
Culture & context
Africa's most populous nation, economic giant, cultural superpower (Nollywood, Afrobeats). 250+ ethnic groups, Muslim-Christian split.
People, religion & languages
Population
~222M
54% urban
Languages
English (official)
Also: Hausa (north), Yoruba (southwest), Igbo (southeast), Pidgin English
Day-to-day English
Native officially; Pidgin English universally understood.
Religion
Roughly equal Muslim (north) and Christian (south); strong traditional spirituality blended.
Christian
49%
Muslim
48%
Traditional
3%
Culture & etiquette
What locals value and what to watch for
FamilyHospitalityReligious observanceEntrepreneurial driveMusic + Nollywood pride
Do
- Greet warmly and extensively - 'how is your family' is routine
- Use 'sir/ma' for elders
- Try jollof and chicken suya
Avoid
- Left-hand giving
- Loud generalisations across regions (very diverse)
- Insulting Nigerian jollof
Pace of life
Lagos chaotic and entrepreneurial; Abuja measured; Kano traditional.
Expat-friendliness
Warm but logistically challenging; oil/business expat presence concentrated in Lagos and Abuja.
Holidays & food culture
Jollof rice, suya, egusi soup, pounded yam. Bold flavours, generous portions.
Jollof riceEgusi soupSuyaPounded yamPepper soup
Mealtimes
Lunch 13:00–15:00, dinner 19:00–22:00.
Dietary norms
Meat-heavy; halal/non-halal regional.
Major holidays
October 1
Independence Day
June 12
Democracy Day
Variable
Eid al-Fitr
December 25
Christmas
Variable
Eid al-Adha
Work culture & business norms
Working weekMonday–Friday
Hours09:00–17:00 official; long hours common.
HierarchyHierarchical.
PunctualityFlexible ('African time').
Meeting stylePersonal first; lengthy greetings.
Business attireSmart business; suits common; Ankara traditional for formal events.
Monthly cost snapshot
Comfortable lifestyle$900/mo
Semi-Luxury lifestyle$1,700/mo
Luxury lifestyle$3,700/mo
Single person, before income tax
AI affordability check
At $4,000/month remote income you'd have $3,100 surplus after budget-tier costs - saving 78% of your income.
Quick facts
LanguageEnglish / Hausa
CurrencyNGN
Internet15 Mbps avg
EnglishHigh
Future Life Score56/100
Future Life Rank#137
PR pathModerate
CitizenshipNo clear path
Passport rank#97
Visa-free47 countries
Income tax24% top rate
VAT7%
CapitalAbuja
Best airportsLOS (Lagos), ABV (Abuja)
Coastline853 km Atlantic
Population~222M
Avg temp27°C / 81°F
Visa options
Tourist VisaModerate
STR Work PermitModerate
Planning your move to Nigeria?
Trusted partners · Affiliate links
Skyscanner
Compare flights
Wise
Send money, no fees
SafetyWing
Expat health from $45
Airbnb
Short-stay apartments