₦airaland Forum

OBALORLA:
https://nomadicnegro.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/20180929_172602-640x360.jpg
Benin Republic (Originally ruled by the kingdom of Dahomey) through a treaty signed by Glele during his rule in May 19, 1868 was ceded to France before the French Navy occupied the city in 1883 to prevent the British from conquering the area.

58 years after gaining independence, a lot of things have obviously changed as Benin republic has had to undergo rapid phases of development largely due to the invasion by the French.

I paid a very close attention to the City of Cotonou during my weekend getaway and did a mental comparison between its fascinating peculiarities and that of Lagos- Nigeria’s most popular city.

Here are 10 Unbelievable ways Cotonou is different from Lagos.


Transport
1. Bikes (popularly called Taxi-Moto) is the most popular means of transportation in Cotonou. Though there are private cars, tricycles, buses and taxis, but the volume of Taxi-motos far outnumbers them.
https://nomadicnegro.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/20180930_110316-640x360.jpg
A typical Taxi-moto parked beside a typical public bus in Benin republic.

2. The official uniform for bikers is either green or yellow. This contributed immensely to the appeal it brought to the highways in general. And more ladies ride bikes compared to Lagos. Though I didn’t encounter any commercial female biker, I saw tons of ladies ride bikes comfortably and as good as their male counterparts.

3. The use of helmets is common. In Lagos, riders use helmets to evade arrest and pull it off once they away from traffic authorities, but in Cotonou, bike riders seemed to know the importance of using helmets every time they are on the road.

https://nomadicnegro.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/DSC_0166-640x427.jpg

4. The number plate of vehicles and motorcycles in Cotonou have just 6 characters, making it very appealing and easier to memorize. Compared to that of Lagos with as much as 8 characters.



Currency
5. The CFA is the standard monetary unit in Benin republic. This colourful bank notes and coins Popularly pronounced as ‘sefar’ are weaker to the Naira at the rate of 1.50 CFA to 1 Naira.

https://nomadicnegro.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Inked20180929_072720_LI-640x360.jpg


6. Coins are still very much in use and the highest denomination of coins is 500 CFA and the lowest coin being 50 CFA. 20,000 CFA is the highest bank-note in Benin Republic.

7. Unlike what is a major practice in tons of countries around the world, There are no images of any national hero on any of the currencies in Benin Republic. This I suspect is due to the fact that the CFA is jointly spent by 14 countries formerly ruled by the French.



Language
8. The official language is french Fon, Egun and Yoruba are popular indigenous languages used in Cotonou. It was a bitter-sweet experience for me to cope with buying things and asking for directions as a large fraction of the people speak French.


Housing
9. If you’ve been used to the 1 minimum year down-payment style of house letting in Lagos (a style I think adds to the accommodation problems in the city), it’s kind of different in Cotonou as landlords popularly let houses for as short as 1 month like what’s obtainable in Europe. Most of these houses too are already furnished, needing you to only bring in few personal belongings.

10. Almost all the buildings in Cotonou are roofless (let me put it at 9 out of every 10), unlike in Nigeria where roofing is popular. Most houses use these roofless tops creatively for stuffs like gym, mini swimming pools, laundry lines etc.

11. In Cotonou, you’d get taxed if you paint your building. Everyone is advised to use tiles instead. So stop wondering why the best tilers in west Africa are from Benin. This is kind of funny but it’s true.



Environment
12. Compared to Lagos, the streets are generally wider and mostly untarred. hardly will you also find streets with Gutters.

https://nomadicnegro.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/SAM_2226-640x480.jpg
A typical Street in Benin Republic

13. The electric socket in Benin Repubic according to world standards is of the type C / E which is of 220V, 50 Hz compared to that of Nigeria which is type C / E of 230V, 50 Hz. I had to spend 200 CFA in getting a multi socket plug to enable me use my laptop.

https://nomadicnegro.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/20180929_073153-640x360.jpg
Costs 200 CFA


14. There’s as many churches as there are mosques and shrines. The funny thing is that there is s huge catholic church right in front of the popular Snake Temple in Ouidah.

15. Pubs and strip clubs are almost available in every corner. I was at one of the clubs on my first night and unlike the shanawole and casket lifestyle of the Lagos club houses, things are far more calm and serene in Cotounou. I wasn’t too surprised when more than half of the songs played are from Nigeria, same thing in Accra.

16. Ankara is the official wear. there’s no such thing as preserving it till Fridays and Owambes.

Economy
17. It’s obvious the country isn’t rich but have managed to remain modest.

18. The most popular bank is Bank of Africa while The most popular mobile telecommunication network is Moove, closely followed by MTN and far behind is Glo.

https://nomadicnegro.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/20180929_075832-640x360.jpg
A zoom sim card I bought for 1,000 CFA,. That’s approximately N650


19. Suya sellers are neater, but might need to ask for tasting before you’re being spared a slice. and instead of newspapers, thick brown papers are used instead.

20. popular street foods include:

Acheke: A combo of cassava grains, Fish, vegetable and beans.

https://nomadicnegro.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/20180929_092146-640x360.jpg
Costs 300 CFA per plate. That’s like N200

Adepe: smoked tiny snails
Baguette: the most popular of them is a long bread without sugar you must have seen in some parts of Lagos.

Did you find this insightful or interesting? Please I’d love to read your opinion through the comment box below.

Source: https://nomadicnegro.com/facts-about-benin-republic/

OlaAshawo:
i want to have sex with you

BastardMicheal:
Grow up dude. Are you s3x starved?
Why all this s3x s3x s3x?

Bhol28:
So the CFA is almost catching up with naira,the first and last time I went,almost like 20years ago,1naira was almost like 10 CFA .Hope things like quality clothes are still cheap there sha.

awelekiti:
Yea, I like the place. I have visited a couple of their beaches too, including the popular Obama Beach. I used to lodge in one hotel built on the sea called Hotel Du Lac. I love festival Des Glases where I do relish the western delicacies too. It's such a modest town.

OlaAshawo:
my guy how far naa

you just dey low key abi busy with your alternate moniker

tell me the moniker let's have some fun

GodIsFoolish:
So you're from Cotonu and claiming Lagosian?

Investorsci:
Pls chat me whatapp I need to ask some questions
09082373402

BastardMicheal:
[s][/s]
I'm using my cilicmarin, sarrki and ngadaawo handles

Jemi7:
Lol, hotel du lac is like the most popular hotel there, and Obama beach is like the biggest and most beautiful beach there too

Jamestown123:
U did not tell us about lodging and hotels.

OBALORLA:
https://nomadicnegro.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/20180929_172602-640x360.jpg
Benin Republic (Originally ruled by the kingdom of Dahomey) through a treaty signed by Glele during his rule in May 19, 1868 was ceded to France before the French Navy occupied the city in 1883 to prevent the British from conquering the area.

58 years after gaining independence, a lot of things have obviously changed as Benin republic has had to undergo rapid phases of development largely due to the invasion by the French.

I paid a very close attention to the City of Cotonou during my weekend getaway and did a mental comparison between its fascinating peculiarities and that of Lagos- Nigeria’s most popular city.

Here are 10 Unbelievable ways Cotonou is different from Lagos.


Transport
1. Bikes (popularly called Taxi-Moto) is the most popular means of transportation in Cotonou. Though there are private cars, tricycles, buses and taxis, but the volume of Taxi-motos far outnumbers them.
https://nomadicnegro.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/20180930_110316-640x360.jpg
A typical Taxi-moto parked beside a typical public bus in Benin republic.

2. The official uniform for bikers is either green or yellow. This contributed immensely to the appeal it brought to the highways in general. And more ladies ride bikes compared to Lagos. Though I didn’t encounter any commercial female biker, I saw tons of ladies ride bikes comfortably and as good as their male counterparts.

3. The use of helmets is common. In Lagos, riders use helmets to evade arrest and pull it off once they away from traffic authorities, but in Cotonou, bike riders seemed to know the importance of using helmets every time they are on the road.

https://nomadicnegro.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/DSC_0166-640x427.jpg

4. The number plate of vehicles and motorcycles in Cotonou have just 6 characters, making it very appealing and easier to memorize. Compared to that of Lagos with as much as 8 characters.



Currency
5. The CFA is the standard monetary unit in Benin republic. This colourful bank notes and coins Popularly pronounced as ‘sefar’ are weaker to the Naira at the rate of 1.50 CFA to 1 Naira.

https://nomadicnegro.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Inked20180929_072720_LI-640x360.jpg


6. Coins are still very much in use and the highest denomination of coins is 500 CFA and the lowest coin being 50 CFA. 20,000 CFA is the highest bank-note in Benin Republic.

7. Unlike what is a major practice in tons of countries around the world, There are no images of any national hero on any of the currencies in Benin Republic. This I suspect is due to the fact that the CFA is jointly spent by 14 countries formerly ruled by the French.



Language
8. The official language is french Fon, Egun and Yoruba are popular indigenous languages used in Cotonou. It was a bitter-sweet experience for me to cope with buying things and asking for directions as a large fraction of the people speak French.


Housing
9. If you’ve been used to the 1 minimum year down-payment style of house letting in Lagos (a style I think adds to the accommodation problems in the city), it’s kind of different in Cotonou as landlords popularly let houses for as short as 1 month like what’s obtainable in Europe. Most of these houses too are already furnished, needing you to only bring in few personal belongings.

10. Almost all the buildings in Cotonou are roofless (let me put it at 9 out of every 10), unlike in Nigeria where roofing is popular. Most houses use these roofless tops creatively for stuffs like gym, mini swimming pools, laundry lines etc.

11. In Cotonou, you’d get taxed if you paint your building. Everyone is advised to use tiles instead. So stop wondering why the best tilers in west Africa are from Benin. This is kind of funny but it’s true.



Environment
12. Compared to Lagos, the streets are generally wider and mostly untarred. hardly will you also find streets with Gutters.

https://nomadicnegro.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/SAM_2226-640x480.jpg
A typical Street in Benin Republic

13. The electric socket in Benin Repubic according to world standards is of the type C / E which is of 220V, 50 Hz compared to that of Nigeria which is type C / E of 230V, 50 Hz. I had to spend 200 CFA in getting a multi socket plug to enable me use my laptop.

https://nomadicnegro.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/20180929_073153-640x360.jpg
Costs 200 CFA


14. There’s as many churches as there are mosques and shrines. The funny thing is that there is s huge catholic church right in front of the popular Snake Temple in Ouidah.

15. Pubs and strip clubs are almost available in every corner. I was at one of the clubs on my first night and unlike the shanawole and casket lifestyle of the Lagos club houses, things are far more calm and serene in Cotounou. I wasn’t too surprised when more than half of the songs played are from Nigeria, same thing in Accra.

16. Ankara is the official wear. there’s no such thing as preserving it till Fridays and Owambes.

Economy
17. It’s obvious the country isn’t rich but have managed to remain modest.

18. The most popular bank is Bank of Africa while The most popular mobile telecommunication network is Moove, closely followed by MTN and far behind is Glo.

https://nomadicnegro.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/20180929_075832-640x360.jpg
A zoom sim card I bought for 1,000 CFA,. That’s approximately N650


19. Suya sellers are neater, but might need to ask for tasting before you’re being spared a slice. and instead of newspapers, thick brown papers are used instead.

20. popular street foods include:

Acheke: A combo of cassava grains, Fish, vegetable and beans.

https://nomadicnegro.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/20180929_092146-640x360.jpg
Costs 300 CFA per plate. That’s like N200

Adepe: smoked tiny snails
Baguette: the most popular of them is a long bread without sugar you must have seen in some parts of Lagos.

Did you find this insightful or interesting? Please I’d love to read your opinion through the comment box below.

Source: https://nomadicnegro.com/facts-about-benin-republic/

DebTem:
Sorry.... I am not on whatsapp ATM.

planetx:
Tell us about the electricity, and why do the streets not have gutters how do they deal with the run off from rain.

OBALORLA:
https://nomadicnegro.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/20180929_172602-640x360.jpg
Benin Republic (Originally ruled by the kingdom of Dahomey) through a treaty signed by Glele during his rule in May 19, 1868 was ceded to France before the French Navy occupied the city in 1883 to prevent the British from conquering the area.

58 years after gaining independence, a lot of things have obviously changed as Benin republic has had to undergo rapid phases of development largely due to the invasion by the French.

I paid a very close attention to the City of Cotonou during my weekend getaway and did a mental comparison between its fascinating peculiarities and that of Lagos- Nigeria’s most popular city.

Here are 10 Unbelievable ways Cotonou is different from Lagos.


Transport
1. Bikes (popularly called Taxi-Moto) is the most popular means of transportation in Cotonou. Though there are private cars, tricycles, buses and taxis, but the volume of Taxi-motos far outnumbers them.
https://nomadicnegro.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/20180930_110316-640x360.jpg
A typical Taxi-moto parked beside a typical public bus in Benin republic.

2. The official uniform for bikers is either green or yellow. This contributed immensely to the appeal it brought to the highways in general. And more ladies ride bikes compared to Lagos. Though I didn’t encounter any commercial female biker, I saw tons of ladies ride bikes comfortably and as good as their male counterparts.

3. The use of helmets is common. In Lagos, riders use helmets to evade arrest and pull it off once they away from traffic authorities, but in Cotonou, bike riders seemed to know the importance of using helmets every time they are on the road.

https://nomadicnegro.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/DSC_0166-640x427.jpg

4. The number plate of vehicles and motorcycles in Cotonou have just 6 characters, making it very appealing and easier to memorize. Compared to that of Lagos with as much as 8 characters.



Currency
5. The CFA is the standard monetary unit in Benin republic. This colourful bank notes and coins Popularly pronounced as ‘sefar’ are weaker to the Naira at the rate of 1.50 CFA to 1 Naira.

https://nomadicnegro.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Inked20180929_072720_LI-640x360.jpg


6. Coins are still very much in use and the highest denomination of coins is 500 CFA and the lowest coin being 50 CFA. 20,000 CFA is the highest bank-note in Benin Republic.

7. Unlike what is a major practice in tons of countries around the world, There are no images of any national hero on any of the currencies in Benin Republic. This I suspect is due to the fact that the CFA is jointly spent by 14 countries formerly ruled by the French.



Language
8. The official language is french Fon, Egun and Yoruba are popular indigenous languages used in Cotonou. It was a bitter-sweet experience for me to cope with buying things and asking for directions as a large fraction of the people speak French.


Housing
9. If you’ve been used to the 1 minimum year down-payment style of house letting in Lagos (a style I think adds to the accommodation problems in the city), it’s kind of different in Cotonou as landlords popularly let houses for as short as 1 month like what’s obtainable in Europe. Most of these houses too are already furnished, needing you to only bring in few personal belongings.

10. Almost all the buildings in Cotonou are roofless (let me put it at 9 out of every 10), unlike in Nigeria where roofing is popular. Most houses use these roofless tops creatively for stuffs like gym, mini swimming pools, laundry lines etc.

11. In Cotonou, you’d get taxed if you paint your building. Everyone is advised to use tiles instead. So stop wondering why the best tilers in west Africa are from Benin. This is kind of funny but it’s true.



Environment
12. Compared to Lagos, the streets are generally wider and mostly untarred. hardly will you also find streets with Gutters.

https://nomadicnegro.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/SAM_2226-640x480.jpg
A typical Street in Benin Republic

13. The electric socket in Benin Repubic according to world standards is of the type C / E which is of 220V, 50 Hz compared to that of Nigeria which is type C / E of 230V, 50 Hz. I had to spend 200 CFA in getting a multi socket plug to enable me use my laptop.

https://nomadicnegro.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/20180929_073153-640x360.jpg
Costs 200 CFA


14. There’s as many churches as there are mosques and shrines. The funny thing is that there is s huge catholic church right in front of the popular Snake Temple in Ouidah.

15. Pubs and strip clubs are almost available in every corner. I was at one of the clubs on my first night and unlike the shanawole and casket lifestyle of the Lagos club houses, things are far more calm and serene in Cotounou. I wasn’t too surprised when more than half of the songs played are from Nigeria, same thing in Accra.

16. Ankara is the official wear. there’s no such thing as preserving it till Fridays and Owambes.

Economy
17. It’s obvious the country isn’t rich but have managed to remain modest.

18. The most popular bank is Bank of Africa while The most popular mobile telecommunication network is Moove, closely followed by MTN and far behind is Glo.

https://nomadicnegro.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/20180929_075832-640x360.jpg
A zoom sim card I bought for 1,000 CFA,. That’s approximately N650


19. Suya sellers are neater, but might need to ask for tasting before you’re being spared a slice. and instead of newspapers, thick brown papers are used instead.

20. popular street foods include:

Acheke: A combo of cassava grains, Fish, vegetable and beans.

https://nomadicnegro.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/20180929_092146-640x360.jpg
Costs 300 CFA per plate. That’s like N200

Adepe: smoked tiny snails
Baguette: the most popular of them is a long bread without sugar you must have seen in some parts of Lagos.

Did you find this insightful or interesting? Please I’d love to read your opinion through the comment box below.

Source: https://nomadicnegro.com/facts-about-benin-republic/

Earthbound:
Food and accommodation and light (power). Especially accommodation, you'd be surprised how much a 3-bed flat would cost you. It's cheaper than Ibadan sef.



These are more than enough to make some people emigrate from this hell hole.

VIPERVENOM:
Schooled in Cotonou for 5 yrs & i could count the number of times there was power outage. You could play a video game for a week without saving........

ally2014:
in the country u hardly police collecting bribe...u go to their beach,u don't see any tout or agbero harassing anyone or see anyone smoking India hemp...the people there are really friendly..no one is tries to cheat u,even when three know u are new

akinszz:
Official work start at 9 a.m, when it is 12noon they go for break and return 3pm. They work 6hours a day.

1Sharon:
So they take 3hour breaks?