Lagos is Nigeria’s commercial hub and has a busy startup scene, but it needs more planning than many nomad cities. This guide covers 2026 costs, internet speeds, power, coworking spaces, visa rules, safety, and the best time to go. The guide is written for stays of a few weeks to a few months.
Internet Speed in Lagos
Internet speeds in Lagos are improving, and they vary by building and provider. Ookla data gives a useful baseline.
- Fixed broadband: Nigeria’s median fixed download speed reached 34.47 Mbps in the first half of 2026, up from 13.50 Mbps in 2023, according to Ookla. Median upload speed was 25.17 Mbps.
- Mobile: Nigeria’s median mobile download speed was 44.14 Mbps in December 2025, which ranked 85th in the world. For Lagos, Ookla measured 40.26 Mbps on mobile and 23.44 Mbps on fixed in the second half of 2024.
- Providers: In the same period, Ookla named MTN the fastest mobile network and ipNX the fastest fixed provider, with a median of 37.78 Mbps.
- Satellite backup: Starlink lists a residential plan at ₦57,000 a month (about $43). BusinessDay reported months of sold-out blocks for residential plans in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, and a Business Priority plan costs ₦159,000 a month (about $120).
Nomads.com shows a much lower average of about 5 Mbps for Lagos, so the sources disagree. A national median does not describe any single building, so it helps to check the wifi speed before booking a stay. A second connection is a sensible backup.
A local MTN or Airtel SIM requires a passport and a biometric check at an official store. A travel eSIM avoids that registration and can be installed before arrival.
Power Cuts and Electricity Costs
Grid power in Lagos is cheap when it arrives, and outages are common. Backup power is a normal part of the monthly budget.
- Grid price: Band A customers pay about ₦209 per kWh, according to SweetCrude Reports. Band A is meant to supply at least 20 hours a day.
- Downgrades: In February 2026, Eko DisCo moved several Lagos areas out of Band A because national power generation fell, which cut daily supply hours in those areas.
- Generators: A small petrol generator costs ₦4,000 to ₦10,000 a day to run, or ₦120,000 to ₦300,000 a month, according to SweetCrude Reports in April 2026. Techpoint reported that remote tech workers in Nigeria spend up to ₦390,000 a month on power.
- Plugs and voltage: Nigeria uses 230 V power at 50 Hz with type D and G sockets. A travel adapter is usually enough for dual-voltage laptop and phone chargers.
A serviced apartment or coworking space with backup power described in writing removes much of this risk. It also helps to ask whether generator fuel is included in the rent.
Cost of Living in Lagos
Early October 2026 reports put the official exchange rate near ₦1,330 per dollar, with street rates around ₦1,370 to ₦1,385. Dollar figures below use the official rate.
- Monthly total: Estimates range from about $1,500 for a moderate lifestyle (Costliving.net) to $2,200 (Nomada) and $2,665 (Nomads.com, October 2026).
- Island rent: A serviced one-bedroom in Victoria Island, Ikoyi, or Lekki costs about $750 to $1,250 a month, according to Nigeria Housing Market. Nomads.com lists $714 for a one-bedroom in the center.
- Mainland rent: One-bedrooms on the mainland cost about 40 to 60 percent less than on the Island. Listings for Yaba and Surulere range from about $150 to $600 a month.
- Lease terms: Standard leases ask for one to two years of rent upfront, and agent and legal fees can add 25 to 40 percent. Serviced apartments are priced monthly, which suits shorter stays.
- Food: A mid-range restaurant meal costs ₦8,000 to ₦20,000 per person (about $6 to $15). Nomads.com lists a coffee at about $3.
- Transport: Cowrywise estimated ₦420,000 a month (about $316) for daily Bolt or Uber rides between Yaba and Victoria Island. Buses on the same route came to about ₦82,000 (about $62).
Where you live can change the total more than food or coworking does. Island rent is higher, but a mainland address can cost more in ride fares if the coworking space is on the Island.
Coworking Spaces in Lagos
Nomads.com lists 242 coworking spaces in Lagos and puts the median hot desk at about $185 a month. At some spaces the members are mostly Nigerian founders building local companies, which suits networking with the startup scene.
- Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB), Yaba: Opened in 2010 at 294 Herbert Macaulay Way and is one of the first innovation hubs in Lagos. Nomads.com lists it as the top coworking pick for the city.
- Impact Hub Lagos, Ikoyi: Located at 7A Milverton Road and part of the global Impact Hub network. The hub opened in 2017 and has a green outdoor setting. It advertises high-speed internet and power.
- Workstation, Victoria Island: Located at 7 Ibiyinka Olorunbe Close, with fixed and flexible membership plans.
- Regus, Ikoyi and Victoria Island: A day pass costs ₦17,900 per person (about $13), with no minimum rental term.
- MHQ Lagos: Lists a ₦20,000 day pass and monthly plans from ₦80,000 (about $60) to ₦300,000 (about $225).
Posted prices differ a lot between spaces, and rates change often. It helps to confirm current prices and backup power directly with a space before the first visit.
Best Neighborhoods for Remote Workers
According to Expat Arrivals, most expats live on Victoria Island or in Ikoyi, Lekki, or the Ikeja Government Reserved Area (GRA).
- Victoria Island and Ikoyi: Business districts with serviced apartments, hotels, and several coworking spaces. Rents are among the highest in Lagos.
- Lekki Phase 1: A residential area with coworking spaces. One-bedrooms run about $600 to $900 a month, according to Costliving.net.
- Yaba: A mainland tech district near CcHUB, with lower rents. The UK government advises extra care on the mainland, where security can be unpredictable.
- Ikeja GRA: A mainland residential area that expats also choose.
Visa and Entry for Remote Workers
Nigeria has no digital nomad visa. Most visitors enter on an e-visa, which launched on May 1, 2025, and replaced visa on arrival for most travelers.
- E-visa: Standard e-visas are single-entry and valid for 90 days from the issue date.
- Processing and fees: Approval usually takes 24 to 48 hours, and it can take up to five business days in December. Fees depend on the passport. Reports range from about $180 for US passports to $300 to $329 for UK, EU, and Australian passports.
- Length of stay: Sources disagree on whether the visitor visa allows 30 or 90 days in the country, so it is worth reading the approval document closely before booking flights.
- ECOWAS passports: Citizens of ECOWAS countries can enter visa-free for up to 90 days.
- Health entry rule: Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required, according to the Federal Ministry of Health. Nigeria also asks visitors to complete an online arrival card.
- Working legally: A business visa does not allow paid work in Nigeria. Whether remote work for a foreign employer fits a visitor visa is unclear.
Stays longer than 90 days need a visa from a Nigerian embassy in the country of residence, and work or residence permits go through the CERPAC system. A lawyer who handles Nigerian immigration can confirm what fits a specific case. We checked the visa and entry rules in October 2026. Rules can change, so the Nigeria Immigration Service is the final source. For background on how a tourist visa differs from a nomad visa, see our visa comparison.
Timezone Fit
Lagos uses West Africa Time (UTC+1) all year, with no daylight saving.
- US East Coast: Lagos is 5 hours ahead of EST and 6 hours ahead of EDT. A 9 to 5 workday in Lagos overlaps with US Eastern business hours for about three hours in US summer and two hours in US winter.
- US West Coast: Lagos is 8 hours ahead of PDT and 9 hours ahead of PST, so most calls fall in the Lagos evening.
- UK: Lagos matches London during British Summer Time and is 1 hour ahead in winter.
- Central Europe: Lagos matches Paris and Berlin in winter and is 1 hour behind in summer.
The time difference favors clients in the UK and Europe. East Coast clients work with late-afternoon calls. Our guide to managing client meetings across time zones has more on handling the overlap.
Safety and Health in Lagos
Official advisories for Nigeria are serious, and they apply to Lagos State as well.
- US advisory: The State Department rates Nigeria Level 3, “Reconsider Travel.” An April 8, 2026 update let non-emergency staff at the Abuja embassy leave. The advisory also says crime is widespread in Southern Nigeria.
- UK advice: The FCDO says mugging, carjacking, armed robbery, and kidnapping are common in Lagos, and it advises caution on the mainland and avoiding travel after dark.
- Rental scams: Startup Guide reports cases of agents collecting rent from several tenants for the same apartment.
- Airport arrival: Uber and Bolt have designated pickup zones at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, and unofficial drivers have imitated app drivers, so the plate and driver should match the app. The drive to Victoria Island can take about an hour late at night and several hours at peak times.
- Health: Malaria risk runs all year, according to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Nomads.com notes that tap water is not drinkable, and the US advisory warns that many hospitals lack medicines and equipment.
- Emergencies: The number 112 reaches Lagos State emergency services.
Travel health insurance with medical evacuation cover is worth arranging before arrival. Lagos suits experienced travelers who use secure housing and ride-hailing apps. First-time visitors to Nigeria may want local contacts in place before landing.
Best Time to Go
- Dry season, November to March: Rain is lightest in these months. Harmattan dust from the Sahara usually arrives in mid-December and stays through February, and air quality can reach unhealthy levels during those months, according to Champion Traveler.
- Rainy season, April to mid-November: Rain is heaviest from June to August. Lonely Planet notes that heavy rains can slow movement around the city.
- December: “Detty December” brings concerts and higher prices. January and February are quieter, and arriving in November can cost less than December.
- Temperature: Daytime highs sit around 27 to 30°C for most of the year, with humidity of about 80 to 89 percent, according to Nomads.com.
Who Lagos Suits and Who Should Skip It
Lagos may suit:
- Remote workers with UK or European clients, since the time zones overlap well.
- Tech workers who want to join Nigeria’s startup scene at hubs such as CcHUB.
- Travelers with a budget for serviced housing and backup power.
Lagos may not suit:
- Anyone who needs steady power on a low monthly budget.
- First-time visitors to Nigeria who want a low-risk base.
- People who want a large, easy-to-join nomad community.
Readers who want another African base to compare can look at Cape Town or Accra. Those still deciding can weigh cost, safety, and internet across several cities before choosing.
Plan Your Trip to Lagos
Lagos works best for remote workers who plan for power, traffic, and security before landing. A serviced apartment on the Island, a coworking membership with backup power, and a travel eSIM cover many of the practical risks. If the trip fits your plans, search flights to Lagos on FlyBibe and pick an evening or late-night arrival to avoid the worst traffic.