This page contains practical information on life in Abuja for Expats in Abuja, Nigeria. You can either use the following links, or scroll down to find information on:
- How to transfer money to Nigeria and where to exchange it
- How to open a bank account in Nigeria
- How to get a Nigerian Sim Card
- All the Expat Facebook Groups available in Abuja
Money Issues for Expats
The currency is called Naira. The official exchange rate is 420 (four hundred and twenty) Naira per USD.
However, the currency is not doing very well and there is a black market which currently offers 590 per dollar. Obviously, exchanging on the black market is illegal and not recommended but in practice, most people use it.
Changing Money in Abuja
There are hundreds of currency exchange merchants grouped outside the Sheraton hotel and people stop by the side of the road to exchange their money. However, there are also a couple of more reputable exchange agents inside the Sheraton and Hilton hotels, which feel more official even they are still exchanging on the black market.
International credit cards are accepted in some places in Abuja but some shops only take local credit cards; you have to ask specifically if they accept international ones. Note that if you pay with an international credit card, they charge you at the official exchange rate.
Transferring money from Abroad
There are many Moneygram and Western Union agents around Abuja but they are not open on the weekends and many require a bank verification number to allow you to withdraw. The following branches allow you to withdraw USD with only passport and the transfer number:
- UBA Bank on Usama Street
- Polaris Bank at the Sheraton Hotel
Fun fact: The Central Bank of Abuja gives you 5,000 Naira for every 1,000 USD that you transfer into Nigeria. The banks give it to you in cash when you collect your money transfers. This helps significantly offset the cost of the transfer which, for me, is a fixed rate of 25 GBP.
Opening a Bank Account in Abuja
Tourists and other short-term visitors are not allowed to open a bank account here in Nigeria. However, if you are working here (legally), once you’ve got your paperwork in order, you can go to any bank and open a bank account.
BVN: First you will need to get a Bank Verification Number, but the bank can help you get that.
Security issue: When you register for a BVN, some of your personal information is uploaded to a database which is accessible my many people so after you register, you can expect calls and texts from a range of scammers. Initially, we thought that the bank must have leaked our information, but the only information that they have is name, phone number, and photo (which is a bit scary). When this happens to you, don’t be alarmed. Just ignore the calls and texts and they will soon stop.
Once you have a local bank account, it is much easier to pay for bills here in Abuja. For information on transferring money into Nigeria to put in your bank account, click here: https://welcome2abuja.com/money/.
Getting a Nigerian Sim Card for Expats
All SIM cards in Nigeria have to be registered to a person. For Nigerians, they have to present a National Identity Number (NIN), whilst foreigners can use their visas. Foreigners can register SIM cards only for the duration of their visas, after which time they will expire (to stop them falling into unregistered hands).
MTN is the strongest network. There is an MTN booth at the airport (just before the final exit from the terminal building) where you can buy a SIM card and credit. However, if you plan to stay longer than your entry visa allows (by extending your visa in country), then you’ll need to extend your SIM card at a local MTN shop. They also sell internet dongles which are quite reliable – it’s what we use at home.
If you don’t buy a sim card at the airport, you can buy one only from the service providers’ shops, such as MTN or AirTel, which are dotted all over town.
Expat Facebook Groups about Abuja
Like many cities around the world, there are some expat facebook groups which foreigners use to connect with each other. Unfortunately, there are quite a few different ones in Abuja and most are used for buying and selling things, as opposed to really connecting, but just so your don’t miss out, here’s a quick summary:
| Name | No. of Members | Created | Posts per month | Privacy | Link |
| Abuja Expatriates Group | 5,600 | July 2011 | 110 | This group is private | facebook.com/groups/166359220102831/ |
| Abuja Expats | 11,700 | April 2016 | 10 | This group is open | facebook.com/groups/871663432945989 |
| Expats in Abuja Nigeria | 5,100 | Jan 2014 | 180 | This group is private | facebook.com/groups/1443659815850793 |
| Foreigners in Nigeria | 491 | April 2020 | 3 | This group is private | facebook.com/groups/668665890561764 |
There are also some local groups (not for expats) which may be of interest
| Name | No. of Members | Created | Posts per month | Privacy | Link |
| Abuja Social Hangout | 35,600 | Sept 2020 | 21 | This group is open | facebook.com/groups/741510086425826 |
| Abuja Connect | 178,000 | Sept 2019 | 800 | Private | https://www.facebook.com/groups/754231798371249 |
| People Living in Abuja | 117,000 | 2021 | 2,000 | Private | facebook.com/groups/200410175183335/ |
| People Living in Abuja | 37,500 | Feb 2021 | 360 | Open | facebook.com/groups/127893492497149 |
I hope that this practical information on expat life in Abuja has been helpful.