Greetings!  I'm an American woman preparing to move to Lagos for three years with my job.  Until now, my international work has mainly been in Latin America and Eastern Europe, and my employer is "trusting me to train myself" about Nigerian history, culture, and politics.  I'm doing my best to immerse myself in Nigerian fiction and am enjoying it very much so far.

I would be so grateful if you would take the time to make some recommendations.  What do you think the best non-fiction books about Nigeria and Africa are?  What is the one modern book of fiction that you would recommend to me?  (I love Chinua Achebe and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, but I know that there are so many more good authors out there.)  And, do you have any words of advice?   

I'm very excited about moving to Lagos!  I can hardly wait.

Many many thanks to you all,
Yaara

Wish I could help but to be frank I dont really read too many Nigerian authors. Used to back in high school and college. Hell, with work these days, I dont even get to read novels at all. Well that being said, just be careful when you get here. It's a jungle out here but once you learn the tricks, you will survive easily and love it. If you're gonna be staying in Lagos for the first time, I suggest living and moving around these 3 areas only for starters (Lekki Phase 1 & Phase 2, Ikoyi and Victoria Island). If you have trusted guides, you can visit other areas of Lagos but avoid night visits to these other areas at least until you know your way around. Always drink bottled water and make sure your meals are well prepared and heated. Make sure the windows in your homes have mosquito nets. Try to make friends, I hope you're a good judge of character. Avoid people who will later want to take advantage of you. Try to learn the local social custom. If you can stomach it, try out the local cuisine. If you get into an argument with someone. be calm and cool but stand your ground if you are right and apologize if wrong but never offer money as a solution. Avoid the local police as much as possible. They are corrupt and will try to milk you of money before they assist you. If you have major issues, be sure to first contact your embassy. Avoid visits to the Northern parts of Nigeria and the Niger-Delta, except Cross-Rivers State and Akwa-Ibom State. Make sure to get a detailed map of Nigeria listing all the the States. Try to avoid road journeys, fly between cities when available and if affordable for you. There is a lot of power failure here, so keep extra phone batteries and an extra laptop battery in handy. Get a sunscreen and good sun shades for your eyes (I take it you are caucasian). When buying stuffs locally, be sure to bargain well, except you are buying from supermarkets (malls or mini-marts) where the prices are fixed. Thats all I can think of for now. I wish you luck. Will post more when I remember. Cheers and welcome.

Thanks so much! I'm actually dying to try the local cuisine -- it sounds like just my taste. The spicier the better.


Yaara