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My Topic Just Made Front Page. I Guess I'll Have To Drop The Next Chapter In Celebration Rather Than Wait Till 12pm

Write what you want to write Mr man, stop this like validation, small boy. Don't waste my time

Chapter 3: Crossing the First Border – Seme (Nigeria to Benin Republic)

Welcome to No Man’s Land

After clearing Nigerian immigration at Seme, we drove into a stretch of road commonly known as “No Man’s Land”—the short, ungoverned space between Nigeria and Benin Republic. It felt like stepping into another world: fewer buildings, more open land, and a sudden shift in road conditions.

Our bus slowly approached the Benin Republic border post, where we saw two distinct buildings: one for immigration checks and another for customs.

The environment here was less chaotic than on the Nigerian side, but the presence of touts, money changers, and “agents” was still noticeable.

What to Expect at the Benin Border:

Benin Immigration Check – Passport stamps and document verification.

Customs Inspection – Checking for restricted items like certain electronics.

Bribery Requests – Officers might ask for “something small” before stamping your passport.

Currency Exchange – Converting Nigerian Naira to CFA francs.

The Benin Republic Immigration Process

We all had to step down from the bus again, this time to face Beninese immigration officers. They were dressed in light brown uniforms and spoke mostly French, with some broken English.
A tall officer approached us and pointed to a small window. “Passeports ici,” he said.
Those of us holding Nigerian passports or ECOWAS travel certificates were allowed to pass with relative ease.

I handed over my passport, and he checked my yellow fever card again. He hesitated for a moment and then said, “Give me 2,000 CFA.”

I frowned. “But why?”

He shrugged. “Stamping fee.”

I knew this wasn’t official, but I also knew arguing would only delay me. I had two choices: stand my ground and risk waiting for hours, or pay the bribe and move on.

Before I could respond, Abigail whispered, “Just give it to him. It’s normal.”
I sighed and handed him the money.

He stamped my passport and waved me through.

Tip for Travelers: It’s common for immigration officers at West African land borders to ask for small “fees.” It’s up to you whether to pay or challenge them, but refusing could lead to unnecessary delays.

A New World: Stepping into Benin Republic

Once we cleared immigration, we officially entered Benin Republic, and the change was immediate:

French replaced English as the dominant language.

The roads, though not perfect, were better maintained than those in Nigeria.

Traffic was calmer, with more motorbikes than cars.

Benin felt slower, quieter, and less chaotic than Lagos.

Currency Exchange: Naira to CFA

One of the biggest challenges of traveling across West Africa is dealing with multiple currencies. Benin Republic, Togo, and other Francophone West African countries use the West African CFA franc (XOF), while Nigeria uses Naira and Ghana uses Cedis.

At the border, we saw men standing with stacks of cash, calling out, “Change money! Best rate!”

I needed to convert some of my Naira to CFA for small expenses like food and tips. The official exchange rate was about 1 Naira = 1.3 CFA, but border changers often offered lower rates. I managed to negotiate and got 1 Naira = 1.2 CFA, which wasn’t too bad.**

Reboarding the Bus

With immigration and money exchange done, we got back on the bus. Our driver warned us, “From here, make sure you hold your things well. Don’t trust anybody.”

Abigail nodded. “There are a lot of pickpockets around. Some of them work in groups—one will distract you while the other steals your bag.”
I clutched my backpack tightly as the bus started moving again.

Our next destination: Cotonou, the economic capital of Benin Republic.



Kindly Çheck On My Signature, I Created a Facebook Page Where I'll Be Sharing Stuffs That's Beneficial. Just Like, Follow And Invite Friends.

The yellow card is not really important though, if you use the right transporter like GUO.
You need either valid passport or your NIN.

IT is better to change money at Togo boarder or Aflao when going. Other places are rip offs.
If you have Cedis left over, it is better to get to Togo boarder before changing back to Naira. Speaking from experience.

Riding with GUO to Ghana has been my best experience travelling so far. No hassle on the roads. It is their driver that handled everything. They will even give you complimentary breakfast.

Natbrowny:
I been think say HK journey u wan share.

Bad guy.

Ghana HK Na no-go-area these days oooo.

As street don hard, Alayes don dey out hand for bad things, Chairman fit use him boys run juju make client pay...

Boy go just dey there dey imagine millions wey him go pick, not knowing that chairman don use am.

davit:
The yellow card is not really important though, if you use the right transporter like GUO. Riding with GUO to Ghana has been my best experience travelling so far. No hassle on the roads. It is their driver that handled everything. They will even give you complimentary breakfast.

When I was staying in Ghana years ago, all my journeys back to Ghana from Nigeria, I never for once used a yellow card or even an international passport to cross all the borders.
I usually traveled using either EFEX when going to Ghana directly from Benin city or ABC when going from Lagos. They only needed a means of identification like National ID card or voter's card and we were good to go.

Nice one this is good for people like us that want to embark on this journey soon. Thanks for sharing, waiting for the conclusion.

Travelling to Ghana next week.i need passengers l.just three passengers only.

Wack, no pictures busy looking for cheap likes and validation

Where is this man? Come and complete your story joor.

Ride on

I think u have got enough likes to continue, abi

Oga poster, 12pm never nack for Ghana, or you wan use senior men catch cruise abi

Ghana is expensive . Even other regions hold better money . Or get better income . Currently in Tamale with my Muslim sugar mummy Thank God for adjoa

Miramonica:
Oga poster, 12pm never nack for Ghana, or you wan use senior men catch cruise abi

Ghana is one hour behind Nigeria.

divinetouch24:
Chapter 2: The Road to Seme Border

Leaving Lagos Behind

As the bus pulled out of Jibowu Terminal, I leaned back in my seat, ready for the long journey ahead.

The early morning streets of Lagos were already alive with activity—commuters rushing to work, yellow Danfo buses honking aggressively, and street vendors balancing trays of snacks on their heads.

We took the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, a road notorious for traffic congestion and potholes. The first hour was relatively smooth, but as we got closer to Okokomaiko, the roads became rougher, slowing us down significantly.

The driver, a stout man with an Igbo accent, maneuvered through the potholes like a pro, muttering complaints about the government’s failure to complete the expressway construction.


...............

you wrong on that road and that a false information that road is 80percent complete i drove from agbara to mile2 last week to and fro so where did you get the pothole, you can say commercial vehicles causing traffic but not a bad road

divinetouch24:
If You're Enjoying My Trip Write Up, Hit The Like Button... 15 Liukes, I'll Drop The Chapter 3

What's it with you and likes? Is NL paying you for likes? Biko drop story jare

AlphaNugget I am waiting for your thread

davit:
The yellow card is not really important though, if you use the right transporter like GUO.
You need either valid passport or your NIN.

IT is better to change money at Togo boarder or Aflao when going. Other places are rip offs.
If you have Cedis left over, it is better to get to Togo boarder before changing back to Naira. Speaking from experience.

Riding with GUO to Ghana has been my best experience travelling so far. No hassle on the roads. It is their driver that handled everything. They will even give you complimentary breakfast.

Okay
But how can one get the yellow card and what are the procedures in doing so?

Nice thread. I am following you sharply

ShenTeh:
If you are in public you waive your rights to NOT be photographed. It is courtesy to not capture people in your photos without their consent, but it is not law.

Waive your right ke?
In most climes, the law is simply silent on that.

divinetouch24:
My Topic Just Made Front Page. I Guess I'll Have To Drop The Next Chapter In Celebration Rather Than Wait Till 12pm

Please continue Boss

I'm enjoying it

I love travelling too

davit:
The yellow card is not really important though, if you use the right transporter like GUO.
You need either valid passport or your NIN.

IT is better to change money at Togo boarder or Aflao when going. Other places are rip offs.
If you have Cedis left over, it is better to get to Togo boarder before changing back to Naira. Speaking from experience.

Riding with GUO to Ghana has been my best experience travelling so far. No hassle on the roads. It is their driver that handled everything. They will even give you complimentary breakfast.

yellow card is more important than id/nin through the road.....I have travelled without id/nin by road.
But yellowcard was a must especially at hilakonji border.

Erikiel:
Okay
But how can one get the yellow card and what are the procedures in doing so?

I have no idea because I never used it. You will need it if you travel by air though especially to countries.

Erikiel:
Okay
But how can one get the yellow card and what are the procedures in doing so?

at any general hospital.

ruggedtimi:
yellow card is more important than id/nin through the road.....I have travelled without id/nin by road.
But yellowcard was a must especially at hilakonji border.

I ónly shared my experience. I was in Ghana last week of last year till first week of January this year.
I used GUO both to and fro.

Erikiel:
Okay
But how can one get the yellow card and what are the procedures in doing so?

If you're in Lagos, go to any health centre, you'll take the injection and get the card... Few weeks ago, they were even going from house to house giving injection and card to those that wanted to collect

mmadu4:
Ghana is expensive . Even other regions hold better money . Or get better income . Currently in Tamale with my Muslim sugar mummy Thank God for adjoa

No be lie. It is expensive to live well in Gahna.

davit:
I ónly shared my experience. I was in Ghana last week of last year till first week of January this year.
I used GUO both to and fro.

using those buses is luxury and comfort. You wont really see shege because you probably stayed for a short time..But when you have an over stay and your passport has issues you go know say using GUO and other transport companies na big scam. 10yrs ago using all those GUO you will likely spend around N18k _N35k.....but i usually spend nothing more than N7k Badagry to koftown[ farther than accra]. In all this i found out yellowcard was important. I HELD to it like a Gold. Still have mine

Why is op asking for likes? Abeg, if you no wan post this your tory, leave am jor

If you are in Abuja, the vaccine is gotten in the Ministry of Health for N2500 at most. N2000 for the vaccine and issuance of the card and Remita will charge you N500 for the transaction.

You are given the vaccine, then you wait to collect the card. Simple process and you can be sure you have the original card.

Regards.

quote author=Erikiel post=134127449]

Okay
But how can one get the yellow card and what are the procedures in doing so?[/quote]