Whether in Nigeria or anywhere else in the world, there is
always a best place to live in – in terms of security and
safety, serenity, road network, air travel, job opportunities,
business opportunities, availability of power supply or its
alternatives, recreational facilities/hotels and lodging, and
standard or cost of living among other things.
These are currently changing, but these are the 5 best
Nigerian cities to live as at today, without any bias toward
the others not mentioned here, they may qualify for
inclusion in the next review:

1. Abuja

Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria is every man’s
dreamland. It is located in the center of the country, and
the seat of power for all Nigerians. It was deliberately
planned to be an architectural masterpiece and to compete
with the most beautiful and standardized cities in the
world. Living in Abuja can be costly because it is the
government seat of Nigeria, and accommodates the
wealthiest folks in the country. The biggest companies
want to have a headquarter in Abuja and the best
international hotels are located there. So living in Abuja
can be quite expensive, even in low places like Iyanya
among others. Housing is costly and food is costly because
of the daily influx of people into the city.
But Abuja has the best security in the country and more or
less the safest place for tourists and expatriates
considering the heavy presence of policemen and soldiers
in the city. Remember the president and lawmakers and
federal ministers are all resident in Abuja, hence the heavy
security mounted day and night there.
The hotels are of international standards, the road
networks are exceptionally great, CCTV cameras mounted
at every street to minimize crimes, business opportunities
abound everywhere, the power supply is very stable,
airports are standard, and everything is just fine here. But
standard of living is high and may be difficult for low-
income earners in terms of accommodation and lodging,
feeding, and other things.

2.Lagos

Lagos was once the capital of Nigeria before the
government seat was moved to Abuja in 1991, but Lagos
remains the commercial center of the country. It is also the
pace-setter for several other states in the areas of security,
commercialization and industrialization, road network,
and business opportunities.
But living in Lagos can be very tedious and tough for
newcomers because of the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Everyone is in a haste in Lagos, and everyone seems to
have come for the money. Bankers, traders, dupes,
scammers, drivers, prostitutes, househelp, kidnappers, and
security men – they have all come for the money in Lagos –
hence the active life of the city. People don’t sleep in Lagos
because there is more money to be made, and more social
life to live up to.
Housing is scarce and costly in Lagos due to the
overpopulation. The city boasts of 20 million people, with
thousands more coming in everyday. People even live in
shacks and under the bridge as well as in creeks to earn a
living. Power supply is averagely stable in parts of Lagos,
and water supply is good, but general cost of living is
averagely very high. Security is good in Lagos even though
there are pockets of kidnappings here and there. There is
an international airport to anywhere in the world, and
there are hotels to cater to your lodging and travel needs.

3.Ibadan

Ibadan is an ancient, laid back city in Oyo State – the
center of the Pan Yoruba race. Ibadan is much more
serene and peaceful and even very dull compared to Lagos.
It has all the trappings of an ancient city, but it is more or
less the biggest city in West Africa. Business is always dull
in Ibadan, and it is a dead city from the perspectives of
those struggling all their lives in Lagos, Abuja, and Port
Harcourt.
Housing is very cheap in Ibadan, except in GRAs and areas
dominated by wealthy industrialists. The road network was
terrible, but has now been greatly improved under the
previous and current administrations. Power supply is
terrible and affects businesses here, but people manage to
get by with power generators.
Ibadan is the most peaceful city in Nigeria and the
cheapest to live in in terms of accommodation, lodging,
food, and basic necessities of life. The first university in
Nigeria – the University of Ibadan, is located here, and the
standardized UCH is here. There is no more any active
airport in Ibadan, but it is very safe and serene to live in.
Business opportunities also abound in the city, but this
cannot be compared to Lagos or Abuja.

4. Benin City

Benin City, in Edo State is regarded as the city of peace
and hope – the cradle of the Bini and Edo peoples. It is
known for its cultural artifacts and traditional way of life.
It is one of the safest cities to live in within Nigeria with
very low crime rates, although the people could be
desperate when it comes to money and business
competition. The security is good in the state and the
people generally good-natured.
Living condition in Benin City is on the high side, but they
enjoy average power supply and business opportunities
are high. It is a serene city to dwell in, and there are
number of hotels and lodging to cater to your
accommodation needs. There is high security in the state
from police departments, although pockets of violence,
ritual killings, and robberies still manage to occur from
time to time. The road network is good and there appears
to be an airport, but much more than all, it is one of the
best places to live in Nigeria.

5.Abeokuta

Located in Ogun State, Abeokuta is the ancient city of the
Egbas, the Ijebus, and others descended from a common
ancestry. The Olumo Rock is the main feature of Abeokuta,
and the name literarily means “under the stone/rock” to
depict how its ancient people hid in rocks during ancient
tribal wars. It is a very traditional place to live in with lots
of fascinating attractions to delight the eyes and mind.
Living in this city is cheap because of abundant houses and
food supplies, and it also hosts a people warm toward one
another. The road network is averagely good and power
supply is stable. The security is also good and there is very
low rate of crime in the city, with everyone acting as
vigilante to the other.
There are hotels and guest houses to cater to your lodging,
and recreational facilities to meet your needs. Business
opportunities here could be drab just like in Ibadan, but
the people manage to get by. There is no major airport, but
transportation by land is never a problem.

Benin? City of peace?....i laff. Where is Ilorin

nice one

mcheeew