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I have been given small ban on my other account. Lemme post chapter 3 from here....




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.

Awise09:
Nice one this is good for people like us that want to embark on this journey soon. Thanks for sharing, waiting for the conclusion.

I hope no be HK you dey plan go for Ghana ooo, You will most definitely regret going.

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.

Lies.

I left Ghana this morning, i wasn't asked for any yellow card. I boarded GIGM and nobody was asked for any yellowcard bs!!

And you can use your international passport or NIN as means of identification

AlphaNugget:
Lies.

I left Ghana this morning, i wasn't asked for any yellow card. I boarded GIGM and nobody was asked for any yellowcard bs!!

And you can use your international passport or NIN as means of identification

then maybe the yellow card situation has changed...it wasnt like that..most especially at hilakonji border.

double post*

ruggedtimi:
then maybe the yellow card situation has changed...it wasnt like that..most especially at hilakonji border.

Well, I entered Ghana last week Saturday and I was not asked of yellowcard, now I am in Benin going to Nigeria and I wasn't asked of it......none of the passengers was asked. So I think it is in the past

Yampotatocarrot:
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

I was given one after injection... But it's not yellow, it's likgle green

Injection is for yellow fever

janeedema:
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.

Is the vaccine for yellow fever?

I have it but my card is not yellow but yellow fever was ticked

So that is the end of the story? This OP na nonsense guy, mods should remove this dry post from front page joor!

AlphaNugget:
Lies.

I left Ghana this morning, i wasn't asked for any yellow card. I boarded GIGM and nobody was asked for any yellowcard bs!!

And you can use your international passport or NIN as means of identification

Wait
Nor be flight you use?

Samueltemi337:
Wait
Nor be flight you use?

na road 😂

Where e want see aeroplane money 💰

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

Hehe..meaning he is a content creator on Facebook, he forgot he was on nairaland when he made the request...lol

PP123:
na road 😂

Where e want see aeroplane money 💰

Na wa o

osuofia2:
Wack, no pictures busy looking for cheap likes and validation

Na picture of Ghana you one see?

This issue about vaccination before getting yellow card, kindly do a deep research about it;

Vaccination means the same virus/disease (a weaker one, they say) is injected into your body in hope your body will be activated to fight it and also prepare against any future incursion of the disease

Vaccine by the above definition is very unscientific and dangerous to the human body

HK boiz🤪

Nice

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

Think of the number of CCTVs and open cameras eg dashcams and go-pros. How do you intend to use those cams if you would need the consent of everyone who thousands of cameras would capture in the course of their business as usual.

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.

Where did u enter the GUO transport?

Salvation2:
Where did u enter the GUO transport?

The terminal at Okota.

Yampotatocarrot:
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

Is the card for yellow fever vaccine if yes, mine is green card not yellow card…

KingNom:
This issue about vaccination before getting yellow card, kindly do a deep research about it;

Vaccination means the same virus/disease (a weaker one, they say) is injected into your body in hope your body will be activated to fight it and also prepare against any future incursion of the disease

Vaccine by the above definition is very unscientific and dangerous to the human body

lol, i'll say you're being ignorant. let me paint you a better scenario for easy understanding, if you wanna sleep in any Nigerian home, you either use mosquito net or insecticide, sometimes there might not be mosquito but you just use this just incase there's mosquito. Yes, that's how vaccine works, if you're given a vaccine against yellow fever, you're being injected with an attenuated or non-pathogenic(incapable of causing disease) yellow fever "WHICH WOULD STIMULATE THE PRODUCTION OF ANTIBODIES AGAINST YELLOW FEVER" so if by mistake you come in contact with it, you already have tons of soldiers in your body ready to fight it off...

Shey you get now ? Kindly embrace vaccination pls

Samueltemi337:
Wait
Nor be flight you use?

Very wicked man!

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

Can you please let us know the cost of living in Ghana, especially Accra,compared to that of Lagos.

Samueltemi337:
Wait
Nor be flight you use?

You talk as if you can spend 202k on flight ticket

This guy can lie, most of his inputs are lies.....why will you pay for stamping fee? I and other passengers didn't pay for any fee aside from transport fare which is 89k in GIGM.

This is misinformation at its peak!!

Na your story?
Abeg remove body make we enjoy this story abeg

AlphaNugget:
You talk as if you can spend 202k on flight ticket

Is my life a template for yours?
Am I your role model?
If samuel doesn't use flight then AlphaNugget will not use?
Is that how it works?

Are you sure about this?
So we should not be collecting vaccines?

KingNom:
This issue about vaccination before getting yellow card, kindly do a deep research about it;

Vaccination means the same virus/disease (a weaker one, they say) is injected into your body in hope your body will be activated to fight it and also prepare against any future incursion of the disease

Vaccine by the above definition is very unscientific and dangerous to the human body

But that little amount of disease which was injected inside your body, can cause damages in your system later in life. Thats what he is trying to say.

Kola5281:
lol, i'll say you're being ignorant. let me paint you a better scenario for easy understanding, if you wanna sleep in any Nigerian home, you either use mosquito net or insecticide, sometimes there might not be mosquito but you just use this just incase there's mosquito. Yes, that's how vaccine works, if you're given a vaccine against yellow fever, you're being injected with an attenuated or non-pathogenic(incapable of causing disease) yellow fever "WHICH WOULD STIMULATE THE PRODUCTION OF ANTIBODIES AGAINST YELLOW FEVER" so if by mistake you come in contact with it, you already have tons of soldiers in your body ready to fight it off...

Shey you get now ? Kindly embrace vaccination pls

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

Go to Ports Health office at MMIA Ikeja before you climb the flyover straight to the airport.

It's straightforward, they will ask to see your international passport or travel certificate.