₦airaland Forum

A lot of the reasons given here is not all that positive. Why would you love Nigeria because it is challenging and anything is possible kinda argument.

I dont like the lack of security, too much reliance on cash, fraud (of course), people too stupid that a credit-based country i one that can develop quickly by spending money they dont necessary have to have upfront and follow on from that, a country where people think it is Ok not to pay back loans even those that borrow for farms and those that borrow billions for development projects.

Nigeria social life is great if not too expensive sometimes. There is abundant natural resources and the people can be very kind and resourceful.

Nigeria and Nigerian always try to run before they can walk. A lot of Nigerian cannot be trusted even family members.

What did I do to get postal visa:

I went online to Nigeria High Commission website, filled the visa form and printed it off (you could jut print it off and fill the form by hand). In fact I could not fill every part of the form online e.g payment and signature.

[list]
[li]I bought postal order for £90 (£70 for visa and £20 or processing) plus £9.00 charge - £99.
2 passport photos - taken at a post office booth
Application form
Letter of invitation from parent (not necessary I was told if you have a Nigerian name but check - you can always write it yourself
Photocopy of face of mum's passport - see above; might not be needed
Self addressed special delivery envelope for return of your passport - you need stamps on them £4.95
Put all these a special delivery envelope to go to the Nigeria High Commission (postal visa section) - get a receipt and note down tracking number[/li]
[li][/li]
[/list]
And that is it. If everything is straightforward then visa sticker can be put on it even in 3 days and get it back 5 working days.

/

JJM,

postal visa application is easy. I really believe that if you have a Nigerian name and you are only applying for a tourist 3 months visa, you should get your visa in about 7-10 days; without needing to go to London. Call them in the afternoon to verify what you need to send (its the same as what is online, really).
Then send everything by Special Delivery - be mindful of the postal strikes but Speial delivery will get there in a day. Fill out a self-addressed special delivery envelope - you can get one for free at a post office; just add the stamps (£4.95).

Dont mind their possible rudeness and lack of professional customer service - they are trying their best with the process but perhaps a little stressed and not used to speaking to people properly - one even told me that they get all sorts of people being arrogant to them and not following simple instructions and process.

Good luck - you should never need to go to London. *Lastly, you can pay for everything by Postal Order - no need to use the online payment. Postal order has a 10% charge but its no biggy compared to using a website that has a TROJAN on it.

they talk about dual nationality passport but there is no specific form for dual nationals. the form just assumes on is a Nigerian in Nigeria and the guarantor part is just too complex and unnecessary for someone applying for a dual nationality passport. What exactly is the guarantor guaranteeing and why go and sign affidavit about assets

It is hard to get a guarantor in the UK who has a Nigeria passport and is upstanding enough and willing to disclose assets and then go to magistrate court,

vicade, you are online you just as I am. I dont understand what you mean by you can do 'Runs' with your own cash not have to use credit. It is a weird statement and not very clever, I'm sorry.

You dont have to take credit in the UK or Europe/US - it is there to help you fund businesses especially ones where you cannot afford to have the cash. Why do you the mega-rich even in Nigeria are the most indebted? You set a business with other people's money and if it goes bust, you dont always have to fork out all the money from your personal assets.

Anyway, your point is that you can do Runs easier in Nigeria. I presume to do Runs means to pull some fast money making schemes - not often above board? You sound like you have money so of course, Nigeria is good for you. ANd I agree with the social life but if you really have money in Europe, you can enjoy yourself and do businesses on an even larger scale.

I wished I had never travelled but having said that my travel has allowed me to help folks back home - they should have been able to help themselves anyway. I am a simple person and I probably would have had a good enough job in Nigeria (I dont agree with the no hope no qualification generalisation) - I actually got paid when I was studying in Nigeria,

I could have been even more better of if I did not have to help the folks back home. If what you want is a settled life, good security, reliable utilities, affordable food and not too worried about 'status' then Europe is great. But there are negatives too and those negatives apply just the same with some Nigerian that are educated or have business acumen in Nigeria; the only thing we dont have in Nigeria is racism but we have our tribalism and religious fights and police brutaliy and now kidnappings and so on.

Coming to Europe now is not a good idea especially for someone who could do well in Nigeria excpt if you are a doctor, nurse and multinational employee or other specialist needed here.

I have just had a postal application for visa successfully completed. Apart from some hiccups which was not entirely my fault and the extreme rudeness of a member of staff, You hesitate and try to find the right word to say to them and they are off on one - speaking to people like we are their servants or students - I was really upset.

Having said the above, I believe the whole process might have been completed in a week. They can really do it if everything is complete and straightforward.

Thumbs up for the improved administrative efficiency and thumbs down for poor customer service*.

* I get the impression that some of the customers are also not helping - some are quick to complain and some are not as organised as they could be and some are rude and arrogant to the staff as well.

I think it will not take very much for people to know who has been abroad for a while even if one decides not to flash the cash or dress extravagantly.

I am going next week and when my mum said a taxi driver is coming to pick me up (along with her) I as not best pleased, The taxi driver will know I am from abroad and who knows what might happen.

A guy here in the Uk told me a story about a bus driver that colluded with Armed robbers to rob them and rape the girls on the highway. They were young Uni folks going to a party, the driver said the bus was broken or tyre flat and they stopped on the highway (very dangerous anyway) and the gang of robbers just attacked them, robbed them (he was from UK) and even raped the girls. The way he recalled the story was so casual that I was sickened by it and traumatised that it could have been my sister there,

Even my mum and family were robbed at gun point in our small village - unheard of. But it was the time of petrol scarcity and we live not too far from the highway (highway was developed after we built the house).

Anyway, what is the point of going back to Nigeria and living like a Hermit.

saridon, seun has said it all. You have to be in Nigeria to do business in Nigeria since you dont want people to manage your money. However, you cannot expect to get free advice on a forum like this. Whatever you do, you will still need a good contact in Nigeria.

I know you dont want to go into manufacturing - perfectly fine but what we really need in Nigeria is manufacturing and processing. There is enough of importing and exporting - people have not got that much money to buy the high quality stuff you were importing,

You said the money is already in Nigeria so that is good - the returns are most likely to be better than Europe and US. 30-40% is unrealistic - you run the risk of being ripped off or ripping people off majorly. Very Nigeria view of things for someone who is abroad. You will never get 40% return on normal businesses.

I cannot allow other people to manage my money. What is the risk to these investment managers - absolutely nothing! They still take a cut regardless of performance - it is a con! And that is a worldwide con!!!

Anyway, the best way for a person abroad is to find someone he/she can really trust and someone who has their own money and not likely to steal from you. Unless one has family members that are not going to be asking you for money and is ready to take a reasonble commission and act swiftly when things are going funny then it is hard for someone abroad to just entrust money to someone/firm in Nigeria.

I cannot even trust that the money I put in a regular bank will be safe - some gaurantees abroad and systems in place to pursue your case. But in Nigeria, when its gone its gone regardless of how it might have gone.

I like the trolley comment. I just dont like hassles and I dont have any Naira on me, I guess a £2.00 coin will do or I will have to search drawers for some American dollars.

I am going Nigeria after a longwhile but not exactly excited - some sort of mixed emotion. I know it will be hassle with families and so on - go and see this person, what did you bring for that person, give money to in-laws or wives in the family and complete strangers, Then church this and that and religious bull all over the country. A religous country where people behave so badly is very contradictory.

If security wasn't so bad, I could behave like a real tourist - without minders. I'll live to go to the beaches in Badagry and places in Port Harcourt and Calabar. And visit Abuja too. But I just cannot function well in a country where you have to carry cash in carrier bags. I am spoiled with the bank card system of paying for things - less chance of being mugged for lots of cash,

Anyway, what the worse that can happen? Not a lot really. It only for a few weeks and I'll probably get more excited as the time approaches and possibly after a week.Wish me luck!

Thanks folks. I feel a little bit more confident now. I was thinking of bribing them with £5 each to get them off my back but I will see whether I can do without having to bribe. Unfortunately we dont have pound sterling notes anymore,

To be honest I dont think I will need a trolley. I want to travel light - not intending to buy that many gifts; I send enough money as it is. And I dont like shopping especially for people that might likely look a gift horse in the mouth.

Great relief that we dont have gun totting personnels anymore. I want to get there and out as soon as possible and hopefully away on the highway as far as possible from Lagos.

Is there a Nigeria Monopoly - the useless money I have might come useful. Ouch indeed!!! At the time I acquired the Naira it was worth a lot more than it did nowadays.

I have thought about this too. I have some money but no contact or expertise of Nigerian business. The best thing to do is for a company that exist to link Nigerian abroad that have money with young (or old) enterpreneur in Nigeria. Ideas along the line of Dragon's den they have on the TV in the UK (and Nigeria too).

Basically, all I need is to be able to invest in a good idea that brings a reasonable return for my money and allows a budding enterpreneur or inventor to flourish - nothing dodgy or underhand but straightforward stake in a business.

I dont think it should allows be about buying and selling or importing/exporting and I will definitely avoid the financial investment - if we cannot trust them in the Western world, how can we trust them in Nigeria.

Does it still look like a military zone/check point with lots of guns on show? And how long does it take to pass through - and do we still need to bribe the officials to have peace of mind.

I have not been to Nigeria for a while. My last experience was not great - not too bad either because I was able to pass through eventually by telling them I am only there for a funeral (true). However, they were asking for change (pounds etc), what did I bring them and so on. And they rifled through my stuff insinuating that I imported goods (gifts they were) without paying tax - they delayed me for some time. I was not ready to give them pounds and I had no Naira.#

So what is it like these days? Be try to be honest, Thanks.

# I deciced to take some Naira with me to the UK fornext time I went back but many years later, they have changed the design on all the bank notes (realised only recently)- funny but a waste of money.

Some great comments and advice. I was born in the Uk but grew up in Nigeria - even did NYSC b4 travelling abroad.

I will try and see whether I can get a Nigerian passport when I get to Nigeria - I am in Nigeria for only 3 weeks. I will actually like to go to Abuja because I've never been - it was still under construction when I left,

So what is the process of getting one in Nigeria? Can I possibly get my family to start the process before I arrive in Nigeria. Thanks.

Thanks for reply. The issue is the place of birth - I was born in the UK and that is on my British passport.

If I go for a dual nationality passport in the UK then it will state that I was born in the UK. However, if I decide to get a Nigerian passport when I travel to Nigeria, I wonder whether I will need to put place of birth as UK. I fear it might complicate things and make getting the passport less straightforward.

It is not an issue of cost but time and the requirements in terms of guarantor that has to be a Nigerian passport holder and the person also has to sign an affidavit and declare wealth status etc. Dealing with the Nigeria High Commission in London is a pain!

Wow! That is impressive. I did my NYSC in Calabar ages ago. I would not mind living in this City. It appears better than some places in the UK. Anyone ladies in Calabar that I can hook up with - I am going to Nigeria in 2 weeks and I dont necessarily want to spend too much time with folks in Lagos/Ibadan/Abeokuta. I just want to have fun - preferably by the coast and enjoy my hard earned UK money.
I used to love the Edikaikon (sic), sea food and fufu.
Any takers?

In answer to the question about people now in the UK used to make unnecessary demands before they travelled.

I never asked any uncle or aunt for money. I actually just lived my life and only got something from an uncle that returned from abroad in the 80s. Yes, I went to one or two uncles and grandparent for visits - not many. And usually give me travel money back or something on top. However, I did keep them company, looked after their children and did housework,

However, the people I am sending money to in Nigeria, I dont even se and some cannot even be bothered to write and let you know what is happenning until they need money - and that is talking about my immediate family. I could not afford to even keep friends anymore in Nigeria becos my family is demanding (even though they are not poor) and as soon as you comms with a friends or cousins or relative, they soon ask you for money or to buy things they could easily get in Nigeria. Ppl asking for specialist Bibles, Games, to pay for their research papers to be published in foreign countries. It is a joke!

It cost far less (in exchange rate) to send a simple text instead of flashing at ridiculous hours. My mum texted me at 5.30am recently despite telling her to communicate in the evening.

Who is donkey? Some cross conversation going on here. Tx Sara, I will find the dating board and re-post there.

It is tempting to try to risk it but its not worth it at all.

I am in the same situation but I have applied for the VISA by post. I think the system is perhaps OK and it should not take more than 2 weeks. Having said the above, the people there appears rude, stressed and think they are god.

The postal service is actually easy although the documents have to be 100% correct or they will tell you off. It costs £70 (tourist - months) and £20 postal order for processing. 2 special delivery envelopes, letter of invitation and copy of passport of inviter (not necessary I was told if you have a nigerian name) and just include WAEC or NYCS certs if you have one.

BTW, its not easy to find time to go to the Embassy in London to get a Visa. One thing is you dont kno how long it might take - it is not always automatic. They only open from 10-12pm, so has to travel the night before if you leave far away from London and then when you get there the place is like a cattle market. Lots of fights, bad behaviour from Embassy staff and customers - you could even be punished for simple things like not answering your name quick enough. Your photo might not satisfy them even though it is good enough for thr UK and US etc.

I have 3 weeks holiday having worked solidly for 6 months without a day off and I have been waiting for 1 3-wks block of holidy for about 2 years.

Hi all, first time poster, so be gentle.

How does a Dual Nationality Nigeria/UK passport work? Is the passport itself exactly like a Normal Nigerian pasport and does it reflect where one was born in the UK.

Can I get a Dual Nationality Nigeria/UK passport from Nigeria (Abuja)? Or do people just get a Nigerian passport that does not reflect that they were born outside Nigeria?
If I have a normal Nigerian passport to travel to Nigeria and tried to come back with a UK passport, will I not get hassle at the airport for not having a VISA.

I am just about to go to Nigeria with a UK passport and Visa. It has cost about £120 all in using the postal service (thank god I dont have to travel to London). I could have used applied for a Dual Nationality Nigeria/UK passport but its too much hassle and I dont know any Nierian passport holder guarantor (they also have to sign affidavit).

I have not go my visa yet (some problems) and really dont like dealing with Nigeria High Commission in the UK - rude, insulting and unhelpful people.

Who is Leila?

I am also looking for a good Nigerian woman in Manchester, UK. Life is too short to live alone - and I have managed very well so far but its time to settle again.

In fact, friendship and companionship will do fine. The only problem is that I am not heavy into religion (though a christian and not allergic to churches esp the singing & dancing) and I am not looking for Nigerian wahala like immigration probs for brother, sisters etc and no 419 or other smart moves.

I am down to earth, live within my means and very easygoing. Into my sports, of good shape and health (touch wood) and not unattractive.

I need a woman to complete me - in a partnership kind of way.

Of course, this does not apply to all. However, there is some truth in it - some women dont appear to care about their looks on a daily/weekly basis but only when they are going to functions.

I dont know many many Nigerian women because I dont come across any here in N/W, UK, However, my two sisters appear to conform to letting themselves go. Within years of being in the UK they ballooned due to too much food (especially junk and big portions of red meat & meals like someone said b4, and then there is the having kids quickly and absolutely no exercise).

One of them has gone back to Nigeria and she now looks normal (not big) for her age and the one here (bless her) works hard and had 3 kids in about 4 years but is now looking really heavy and the tummy is quite wobbly.

I advised her to go for long power-walks with the baby in the buggy or get a an exercise DVD and some me-time (hubby shd help) that she can use to exercise to the DVD. 15 minutes everyday will help and can even make it fun with the kids.