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The short answer
Budget for the move itself, a year or more of rent upfront plus agency and legal fees, and a cash buffer for the first three months. Then switch the things tied to Lagos: tell your employer so PAYE goes to FCT-IRS, set up AEDC instead of Eko or Ikeja Electric, and rebuild your transport budget around taxis and buses rather than BRT or danfo.
Lagos to Abuja is one of the most common moves in Nigeria, usually for a government job, an NGO role, a posting or a new contract. The two cities feel very different, and so does the money. Lagos runs on density and speed; Abuja runs on distance and planning. This checklist covers what to budget before you go and what to switch in your first three months.
Before you move: the upfront budget
The biggest cost is housing. Abuja landlords commonly ask for rent a year or more in advance, plus agency and legal fees and sometimes a service charge for the estate. The Lagos Tenancy Law's limits on advance rent apply only in Lagos State, so do not assume the same protection in the FCT. Our guide to renting rules across the three cities explains the differences.
| Item | What to plan for |
|---|---|
| Rent | At least a year upfront in most cases; get the amount and period in writing |
| Agency and legal fees | Agree the percentage before viewing; ask for receipts |
| Service charge | Common in Abuja estates; ask what it covers, including backup power |
| Moving goods | Road haulage from Lagos is a full day or more; get two quotes and insure valuables |
| First month setup | Gas, curtains, meter tokens, internet installation |
| Buffer | Three months of living costs in cash or savings |
Worked example (illustrative figures). Kemi is moving from a flat in Surulere to a two-bedroom in Gwarinpa. Her example rent is ₦3,500,000 a year, with 10% agency and 5% legal fees (₦525,000), a ₦400,000 service charge, ₦600,000 for moving goods and ₦300,000 for setup. That is ₦5,325,000 before any buffer. Adding three months of living costs at ₦350,000 a month brings the target to ₦6,375,000. Our guide on moving house costs covers each line in more detail.
The first week: switch what is tied to Lagos
Tax
Personal income tax goes to the state where you are resident. Once you live in Abuja, your PAYE should go to the FCT Internal Revenue Service rather than LIRS. Tell your employer the date you moved, in writing, and check your next payslip. Our guide to which state tax office is yours explains how mid-year moves are split.
Electricity
You are now an AEDC customer. Note the meter number and band from the last receipt, confirm whether the meter is prepaid or postpaid, and make sure the previous occupant's debt is not passed to you.
Address and records
Update your address with your bank, employer, pension administrator and health insurer. Keep your Lagos address on file only where there is a reason, such as a property you still own.
The first month: rebuild your budget
Several Lagos habits do not carry over.
- Transport: there is no danfo or BRT network. Most people use shared taxis, buses and ride-hailing; the light rail runs only on the airport to Central Business District corridor. If you live in Kubwa or Lugbe and work in Wuse, transport can be a large monthly line.
- Food: markets such as Wuse Market and Garki Market are central, and prices can differ from Lagos. Track a month before setting a new grocery figure.
- Social life: Abuja's social calendar often follows work events and weekends in Jabi or Wuse 2, so leisure spending may cluster differently.
- Domestic help and school runs: distances are longer, so drivers and school transport can cost more than in a compact Lagos neighbourhood.
The first 90 days: settle and review
- After 30 days, compare actual spending with your Lagos budget line by line.
- After 60 days, decide whether to keep your old Lagos bank or service relationships.
- After 90 days, rebuild your emergency fund if the move used it, and set a rent savings target for renewal.
Rent renewal in Abuja can arrive faster than expected when you paid two years upfront. Start saving for it in month one. See how to save for rent.
Money traps in the first weeks
- Paying an agent for an inspection or a form before you have seen the flat. Pay only once terms are agreed in writing.
- Buying a generator before checking what the estate already provides and charges for.
- Carrying over a Lagos data, cable or gym subscription you no longer use.
If you are keeping a foot in Lagos
Many people keep a flat, a business or family responsibilities in Lagos. If you do, separate the two cities in your records: one budget for Abuja living, one for Lagos obligations. Pay Lagos electricity and bills remotely, and keep receipts, because disputes are harder to settle from a distance. If you rent out a Lagos property, the rent you receive is income, and your tax position changes; ask an adviser.
Where Pryme fits
A Pryme account works the same in both cities. You can pay AEDC, Eko and Ikeja Electric bills from one app, set up a Fixed or Flexible Savings Box for next year's rent, and ask your Personal Assistant to remind you before payments are due. It prepares the payment; you approve it.
Questions people ask
How much do I need to move from Lagos to Abuja?
Add up rent upfront, agency and legal fees, service charge, moving costs and setup, then add three months of living costs as a buffer. In the illustrative example above, the total was about ₦6.4 million.
Does the Lagos Tenancy Law apply in Abuja?
No. It is a Lagos State law. Tenancies in the FCT are governed by different law, so take advice and get every term in writing.
Do I need to change my tax office when I move to Abuja?
Yes, in most cases. Once you are resident in the FCT, your personal income tax should go to FCT-IRS. Tell your employer the date you moved.
Is Abuja more expensive than Lagos to live in?
It depends on the district and your lifestyle. Central Abuja districts can be costly, while satellite towns are cheaper but add transport costs. Track your first month and compare it line by line with your Lagos spending.
Sources
- Lagos State Tenancy Law 2011 (full text) · accessed Oct 2026
- Abuja light rail: routes and residents' views (Daily Trust) · accessed Oct 2026
- Navigating the tax landscape for itinerant workers in Nigeria (KPMG via Mondaq) · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.