Yes, you can rent a holiday home in Nigeria. Here it is usually called a shortlet: a furnished flat or house you rent by the night, and pay for in naira. How you find one and pay for it can differ from what you are used to abroad, so this guide walks you through it.
It is written for visitors, for Nigerians coming home from abroad, and for anyone used to booking holiday homes on an app. It covers what the words mean here, how booking works, paying in naira, and the checks to make before you pay.
What people mean by a holiday rental in Nigeria
Abroad you may say holiday rental, vacation rental or holiday home. In Nigeria most people say shortlet (or short let). Some people use the name of a well-known booking app as a word for any shortlet, whether or not it is on that app.
Whatever the word, it means the same thing:
- a whole furnished flat or house, not a hotel room;
- rented by the night, for a few nights up to a few months;
- looked after by a host, or a caretaker working for the host.
A few things matter more here than in many places abroad:
- Power. Grid supply can be patchy, so a generator, inverter or solar backup matters.
- Water. Many homes rely on a borehole or a tank with a pump.
- Security. Many shortlets are in gated estates with guards at the entrance.
- Handover. Check-in is often in person, with a host or caretaker meeting you.
New to the idea? What is a shortlet? explains it from the start, and shortlet vs vacation rental sorts out all the words.
How booking a shortlet works here
There are three common ways to book a shortlet in Nigeria:
- Directly with a host. You find them on social media or through friends, agree by chat, and usually pay by bank transfer.
- Through an agent. An agent shows you homes and arranges the booking. Ask who you are paying, and for what.
- Through a website. Some sites only show a host’s contact details. Others let you pick dates and pay on the site.
Booking directly can work well with a host you trust. The risk is that nobody stands in the middle if something goes wrong. Our guide on how to find a shortlet compares each way.
On Cabans, a shortlet that takes online bookings works much like the holiday apps you may know. You pick your dates on the listing’s calendar and see the full price before you pay. Press “Reserve” and your dates are held for 30 minutes while you pay.
With “Instant booking” your stay is confirmed as soon as you pay. With “Host confirms”, the host accepts first, and you are refunded if they decline. The address and the host’s directions appear on your stay page once the booking is confirmed. See how to book a shortlet in Lagos, step by step.
Paying in naira
Most shortlets in Nigeria are priced in naira (₦). If a host quotes you in dollars or pounds, ask for the naira total too, so you can compare homes fairly.
How people usually pay:
- Bank transfer. Common for direct bookings. Only pay into an account in the host’s own name or their company’s name.
- Card. Used on booking websites that take payment on the site.
- Cash. Some hosts accept it on arrival. Avoid carrying large sums, and always get a receipt.
Paying with a card or account from abroad? Your bank changes the money at its own rate and may add a fee. Ask your bank before you travel, and tell it you will be using your card in Nigeria.
Whichever way you pay, never pay a stranger to “hold” a flat before the dates and price are agreed. Keep a receipt for every payment, especially the refundable caution deposit.
On Cabans, a stay is always charged in naira, whatever currency you view prices in. You pay securely online through Paystack, by card or another way shown at checkout. Paystack’s payment processing fee is added to your total, and you see it before you pay. That fee is not refunded. If a refund is due, it reaches you within 14 days at most, usually in about 5 days. See how to pay for your stay.
What to check before you pay
Before you pay for any shortlet in Nigeria, make sure you know:
- The full price in naira. Nights, any cleaning fee, the caution deposit and the total.
- What is included. Hours of power, water, Wi-Fi speed and any cleaning.
- The caution deposit. How much, and when it comes back. See is a shortlet caution fee refundable?
- The cancellation terms. The last day you can cancel for a full refund.
- The house rules. Visitors, parties, noise and smoking.
- Check-in and check-out times. Do they fit your flights?
- The area and its security. Is it a gated estate? How far is it from where you need to be?
- How you get in. Who meets you, or how you get the keys.
- Who to call at night. A number that will answer if the power or water fails.
If you are paying a host directly, ask for a live video call of the flat. Our guide to shortlet scams in Nigeria lists the warning signs to watch for.
Arriving from abroad
A little planning makes your first night much easier:
- Match your flight to check-in. If you land late at night, agree with the host who will meet you.
- Plan the airport trip. Book a driver you trust, or use a ride-hailing app. In Lagos, allow plenty of time for traffic.
- Get data on your phone. A local SIM or an eSIM lets you message the host when you land.
- Keep the address and host’s number offline. Screenshots work when your data does not.
- Carry some naira for the first day. Enough for transport, food and small tips until you find a cash point.
- Pack the right plug adapter. Nigeria uses three-pin plugs of the British type, and some older round-pin sockets.
- Ask about power at night. Some generators are switched off for a few hours to rest; ask when, and whether an inverter covers the gap.
- Film the flat when you arrive. It protects your caution deposit when you leave.
Moving to Nigeria rather than visiting? Our guide to relocating to Lagos covers the next steps.
Choosing a city and an area
In Nigeria, the area you stay in shapes your whole trip. Traffic can turn a short distance into a long journey, so stay close to where you will spend your days and evenings.
- Lagos. The city splits into the Island (Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lekki) and the Mainland (Ikeja, Yaba, Surulere). Crossing between them at busy times can take a long time. Pick the side where your plans are. The international airport is on the Mainland, in Ikeja.
- Abuja. A planned city of districts, such as Maitama, Wuse 2, Garki and Gwarinpa. Pick a district near your meetings or family.
- Other cities. Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Benin City, Owerri, Calabar and Uyo all have shortlets. Ask the host how far the home is from where you need to be.
Wherever you go, ask the host about the road to the home, parking, and whether the estate gate closes at night. For Lagos in detail, read the best areas for a shortlet in Lagos.
Where to find shortlets you can book online
Start with the area you will spend most of your time in. On Cabans you can browse shortlets by area:
- Shortlet apartments in Lagos, including Lekki, Victoria Island, Ikoyi and Ikeja;
- Shortlet apartments in Abuja, including Maitama, Wuse 2 and Gwarinpa;
- other cities, such as Port Harcourt, Ibadan and Benin City.
A shortlet that takes online bookings shows a booking box with a calendar on its own page. If you see “Contact Agent” but no calendar, that host takes enquiries instead.
Find a shortlet you can book and compare the full price for your dates before you choose.
Own a furnished home in Nigeria? Guests from abroad are looking for one. List your short let so they can find it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent a holiday home in Nigeria?
Yes. In Nigeria a holiday rental is usually called a shortlet: a furnished flat or house you rent by the night. You will find them in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan and many other cities.
Can I pay for a shortlet in naira from abroad?
Usually, yes. Most shortlets in Nigeria are priced in naira. If your card or account is from a bank abroad, your bank changes the money at its own rate and may add a fee. Ask your bank before you travel.
Is it safe to book a shortlet in Nigeria?
Most hosts are honest, but fake listings exist, especially in December. Get the full price and the cancellation terms in writing, never pay a stranger to “hold” a flat, and keep every receipt.
Do shortlets in Nigeria have power and Wi-Fi?
Most do, but it varies. Ask how many hours of power you get from the generator, inverter or solar, and whether the Wi-Fi is fast enough for video calls. Ask about water too.
Do I need ID to rent a shortlet in Nigeria?
Many hosts ask to see a passport, driving licence or national ID card before or at check-in. Share it only with the host or the site you booked through, and ask who will see it and how it is kept.
What time is check-in at a Nigerian shortlet?
Usually in the afternoon of your first day, with check-out by late morning on your last day. Each host sets their own times, so check them against your flights before you book, and agree a plan if you land late.
How do I pay for a shortlet on Cabans?
Pick your dates on the listing and press “Reserve”. Your dates are held for 30 minutes while you pay securely online through Paystack, always in naira. Paystack’s payment fee is added and shown before you pay, and it is not refunded. If a refund is due, it reaches you within 14 days at most, usually in about 5 days.
Related guides
What is a shortlet? · Shortlet vs vacation rental · How to find a shortlet · Shortlet scams: warning signs · Best areas for a shortlet in Lagos · The Nigerian staycation
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