🇳🇬 Nigeria · A realistic 2026 budget for newcomers — rent, food, transport, and what a month actually costs.
Wondering how far your salary goes in Abuja? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.
What things cost
One-bed, Maitama or AsokoroNGN 5,000,000–12,000,000 / year, usually demanded a year or two upfront
One-bed, Wuse 2, Utako or JabiNGN 2,500,000–6,000,000 / year
One-bed, Gwarinpa, Lugbe or KubwaNGN 1,200,000–3,000,000 / year
Diesel or petrol for a household generatorNGN 80,000–250,000 / month, less than Lagos on comparable bands
Groceries, one person, mixed local and importedNGN 180,000–400,000 / month
Good to know
Population
Roughly 3.8 million across the Federal Capital Territory and growing very fast; the planned city proper is a fraction of that, with most people in the satellite towns
Languages
English is official; Hausa is the widest-spoken local language; Nigerian Pidgin is the common informal register
Currency
Nigerian naira (NGN) — floating since June 2023 in a single willing-buyer, willing-seller market
Time zone
WAT (GMT+1), no daylight saving
Power plug
Type G, 230 V — the same plug as the UK
Climate
Tropical savannah on a plateau — a clear dry season from November to March, heavy rains June to September, and cooler nights than the coast
Driving side
Right
Status
Not a state. The Federal Capital Territory is administered by the FCT Administration, with its own revenue service and its own land allocation system
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.
A note on budgeting
Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Abuja checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.
Plan your move to Abuja
A free, AI-personalized plan — the language, culture, and setup steps timed to your move date.