From Benin to Nigeria

[gvdaa]

What is te best border crossing if driving from Benin to Nigeria? Many people seem to travel through Nikki, nut I have the impression this crossing is not really pleasant.

[Surfy]

Originally Posted by gvdaa

What is te best border crossing if driving from Benin to Nigeria? Many people seem to travel through Nikki, nut I have the impression this crossing is not really pleasant.

We try that one on the coast to Lagos. We can not recommend this border crossing.

Nigeria itself was nice to travel - but i would suggest to take one of the other border crossings. Smaller is better

[MountainMan]

A Surfy says, the crossing near the coast can be a bit of a hassle. At least in my experience, they were pretty aggresive in trying to charge you a fee for not having brown card insurance (which I had) and then they tried to claim that something was wrong with it, (which it wasn't).

They then finally made up some document stamping fee that they tried to insist I had to pay and refused to give me back my passport unless I paid it. Not necessarily recommended, but a couple of kicks to the door of the booth and some general yelling about the fact that the passport belongs to the govenrment of the issuing country and they gave it back and I rode away sans fee.

Other than that, it wasn't bad. Not much of a line up in early morning and traffic was to and from the border. I think most people cross at one of the crossings to the north though.

[Matt Roach]

The Ketou - Ilara crossing was very relaxed, with no hassle on the Nigerian side. Just be aware that the road from the Nigerian border to Abeokuta has a lot of road blocks that will want to inspect and record your passport details.

Don't try to run through these road blocks as they are not averse to putting nail boards in front of your tyres if you try. There is another thread on this elsewhere in the HUBB.

[Zombie025]

Originally Posted by Matt Roach

The Ketou - Ilara crossing was very relaxed, with no hassle on the Nigerian side. Just be aware that the road from the Nigerian border to Abeokuta has a lot of road blocks that will want to inspect and record your passport details.

Don't try to run through these road blocks as they are not averse to putting nail boards in front of your tyres if you try. There is another thread on this elsewhere in the HUBB.

I had the same experience there, the border officials were very friendly, the road blocks after a huge pita.
Thats why i choose Nikki the next time i traveled (Christmas, a special season). No problems at all, scenic bush road, passing the big Kainji Dam, no check points, really recommendable.

[gvdaa]

Thanks a lot guys. Any advice on the best road from Ouagadougou to Cotonou?

[brendanvanson]

Originally Posted by Matt Roach

The Ketou - Ilara crossing was very relaxed, with no hassle on the Nigerian side. Just be aware that the road from the Nigerian border to Abeokuta has a lot of road blocks that will want to inspect and record your passport details.

Don't try to run through these road blocks as they are not averse to putting nail boards in front of your tyres if you try. There is another thread on this elsewhere in the HUBB.

Yup, I went through here to Ibadan a couple weeks ago and it was easy. As mentioned, lots of roadblocks. They never once asked me for any bribe or anything though, usually just a couple questions and maybe a quick look at the passport to make sure it was stamped.

It's worth it too to go and visit Abomey, Benin when you're up there. Massive history and brutal warriors in the past. The UNESCO museum and palace is really interesting.

[Niva Say Never]

Hi,
We crossed from Nikki in January, found it an absolute breeze.
We'd certainly recommend it based on our experiences.
The only issue we had in Nigeria was on the way through a suburb on the way into Abuja (non-official check points and an aggressive drunk guy on a moped with a big stick!)

Happy travels
Sam & Cat