I have a question or two.

No.

I've heard it's hot though and the locals can be a bit unpredictable.

Thanks, most informative. Unpredictability is a good thing in this case.

Similar but I was thinking of calling it X Factor 419.

I'm willing to bet that no-one on here has been to Nigeria lately (unless, possibly, Mr Hodcroft). But long ago I had a friend from Nigeria called Francis.
Does this help?

You're probably right that no one has been there but I bet everyone has had a letter from there. Tell me more about this 'friend' (but tell me slowly)

It was very sad, really. He was in London during the Biafran war, not able to go home and never having any news about his family. Plus ca change, for Nigeria, unfortunately.

But what do you want to know about Nigeria?

I've got an opportunity to go and work there. Good money but its slightly dodgy at the moment with kidnappings and islamist attacks but to what extent I'm not entirely sure.

Good grief...very dodgy indeed, I'd say.

A good mate worked there about three years back, outskirts of Lagos. It was very dangerous if you left the compound, he got his car followed a couple of times even though he had nothing to do with the oil business and had an armed escort with him. City centre was too dangerous to travel in a taxi at night as you'd get car jacked for your wallet.

He said the countryside was great when you got out to it but, even though he'd worked in other African countries before, he packed in after 18 months. Very good money kept him there that long. Things might have improved a bit recently but I think you still spend all your time in a secure compound or being very careful.

I think its got worse recently not better, hence they are starting to employ private military companies. Most of the guys involved have done PMC tours in Iraq and some are a bit trigger happy. My guess is that the situation is going to deteriorate further.

Moneys good though. $10'000 - $15000 a month tax free.

That is good money Mr I but, judging by my mate's experience, you are going to get shot at if you're in that line of work.

He seemed to reckon that the big dangers were random attacks by armed kids (wouldn't really apply to you unless they were very bad at choosing targets) and a couple of private armies/pirate groups that spout political or religious rhetoric but are basically running an illegal oil industry based on theft from the multi-nationals. Sounds like that is who you'd be dealing with so best of luck if you decide to go.

where do i sign up? That money would be very helpful to me :)

Here:

http://www.aegisworld.com/

Dodgy place ,whats the going rate for a Westerner over there at the moment?

about a fortnight

got a mate who works out there he's been there a few years good money and he doesn't seem to think its too dangerous compares it to church street on a saturday night there again he is a bit of a nutter

I'd like to see Pok in on the act , if theres a ransom demand for MrI on the bunker...

What, like Chief Negotiator?

I think if they caught you in one of your really on-form days, kidnappers would give you Mr I AND lots of money, just to go away.

No, but my uncle works in Afghanistan as private whatsits, good money, but very, very, scarey

The locals managed to breach their compound in two places the previous week, a load of Norwigian contractors were killed, the fight went on for a good few hours

I also think for tax reasons he can only come back to the UK about four times per yer, it may be different rules out in Africa

Theres still jobs in the sand pits are they're called but the money isn't that great any more. $300 a day is the going rate out there. Back in 2003/04 it was a grand a day.

Nigeria is dodgy but its nowhere near the same levels of danger.

I heard the money has dropped, but he is still on a good whack, however you can't spend it when you are in a wooden box