Packing for a trip, as a Nigerian, means preparing for a war, a wedding, a flood, a red carpet, and casual chilling at Lekki all at the same time.
Let’s not deceive ourselves, you’re not going to pack light. It’s just a 2-day trip, but the bags you packed are screaming “I’m relocating”. And that’s okay. You’re Nigerian; overpacking is your birthright.
You start off with a sensible list and a compact bag, but the Nigerian in you never agrees. Soon enough, you’re sitting on your bag like it’s a stubborn goat that refuses to close, because how did your mummy end up convincing you to pack 12 pants, Vitamin C, Aboniki Balm, extra padlock, small bible, and even dry fish, for a 3-day conference, omoooo!
If you’re travelling as a Nigerian, whether by road or by air, these guides will help you pack smarter, not lighter, though (because let’s be honest, you will overpack anyway).
Your Nigerian Travel Essentials
Forget what other bloggers say, this is the real list;
- Toothpaste – Because the ones in the hotel are tiny and disrespectful.
- Toiletries – Even if the hotel says “all amenities included,” it could be one small toilet paper that has been there for over 2 months.
- Torchlight or Rechargeable Lamp – Because NEPA means “Never Expect Power Always”, even if there’s a standby Mikano.
- Power Bank – Because your phone must not die before your Instagram story uploads.
- Slippers – If you forget, get ready to buy one overpriced rubber slippers in the hotel or at the airport.
Food To Travel With
Because who knows what you’ll be getting, where you are going?
- Chin Chin or Puff Puff – Travelling a long distance can be boring, you need to keep your mouth busy.
- Plantain Chips – Because it’s not a real trip, without some chips.
- Gala and La Casera – If it’s a road trip, you already know.
- Garri – If you’re traveling out of Nigeria and you know your tummy is racist, best believe you’ll need to soak garri at one time or the other.
ALSO READ: 5 Lies Every Nigerian Tells At The Airport
Your Nigerian Drip Emergency Kit
You’re not just packing clothes, but packing to serve looks.
- Complete Owambe Attire – Don’t forget you’re Nigerian, there’s always an uncle, brother’s wife, or sister’s wedding to attend.
- Hoodie and Bootcut Jean – “Never to be caught unfresh”, even if it’s just to go and buy suya.
- Hot Weather Outfit – Sunscreen, sunglasses, and that mini hand fan that makes you feel like royalty.
- Cold Weather Outfit – Sweater, socks, and don’t forget to add a small raincoat.
Things You’ll Not Use (But Still Must Carry)
We all do this, right? There’s always that item that suddenly seemed important to pack at 2am, just when you finally closed your eyes to sleep.
- The book you swore you’ll read; you don’t even like reading, but yeah carry it for the trip aesthetic.
- Fancy Pyjamas; for the gram of course, because you most definitely sleep without clothes.
- Gym clothes; lol, you suddenly think you’ll be a gym rat on the trip?
- Swimwear; the hotel you booked has a pool, but you know you can’t swim. Sha pack it, for the gram.
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We get it, you can’t help but overpack, no matter how hard you try. Let’s help you with important tips, for when next you pack more than you can handle:
- Roll up your clothes like fish roll. This will give room for more stuff to pack.
- Use Ziplocs and clear pouches. So when your bag gets searched, they won’t see the 12 pants you packed for your 3-day conference.
- Label your bag. After packing 5 bags for a weekend getaway, you definitely need to do this, so you don’t end up picking someone else’s bag filled with baby clothes.
Packing in Nigeria is not about what you need, it’s about what might happen. That small outing could become a wedding.
So, pack like the world is ending, and zip that bag with ease. Or sit on it. Either way, you’re ready. Just make sure you’re not forgetting your charger, very important!
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