Nigeria

Living in Nigeria: the short version

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country, with a fast-moving tech and entertainment scene centred on Lagos. Foreigners usually move for work with oil, finance, telecom or tech companies; security, infrastructure and currency swings are significant considerations.

Best for: Professionals posted by international employers and entrepreneurs targeting Africa’s largest market.

How to move to Nigeria: main visa and residency routes

Summaries only — requirements and income thresholds change. Always check the official sources below.

Subject to Regularisation (STR) visa

Entry visa for foreigners taking up employment with an approved company.

CERPAC residence permit

Combined expatriate residence permit and aliens card issued after arrival.

Business visa

For short business trips; does not permit employment.

Healthcare for newcomers

Private hospitals in Lagos and Abuja are the main option for expats; comprehensive international insurance with evacuation cover is strongly advised.

How Nigeria compares

Calculated from our data for all 55 countries. How we calculate this

Cost of living rank

2nd cheapest of 55

Single person, core costs

$335/mo

Family of four, core costs

$788/mo

Take-home on $60,000

$42,736/yr

• Renting a one-bedroom home takes about 45% of the average local salary in Nigeria, more than the median of 36% across the countries we cover.
• Core monthly costs for one person (rent, groceries, transport, utilities, internet and eating out) come to about $335, or 101% of the average local monthly salary.
• On a gross salary of $60,000 taxed locally, our estimate leaves $42,736 a year after income tax and employee social security (an effective rate of 29%), the 31st highest take-home pay of 55 countries. After single-person core costs, that leaves roughly $38,716 a year to save or spend.
• Countries with a similar overall cost of living: India, Egypt, Vietnam.
• Cheaper options in Africa: Egypt.

Estimates for planning, using simplified national tax brackets in US dollars; local taxes, deductions and your own spending will differ. Try your own numbers in the tax calculator or budget planner.

Sources and methodology

Figures on this page are estimates in US dollars, compiled from the international datasets below and converted at recent exchange rates. The cost of living index uses New York City as 100. Guidance was last reviewed on September 30, 2026. Found something out of date? Tell us.