The expat housewarming is a rite of passage in Lagos. Done well, it puts you on the social map for the rest of your posting. Done poorly, it becomes one of those nights people politely never mention again. Here is how to host one that lands.
Invite Strategically
Thirty to fifty guests maximum, split across two or three overlapping circles. Include colleagues, a few Nigerian friends you have made, and at least one well-connected expat who can bring context. Avoid inviting everyone you have met — curation matters more than volume, even for a housewarming.
See also: The Expat's Guide to Living in Lagos.
Respect the Format
Nigerian housewarmings follow a loose but real script. Welcome drinks, a small tour, shared food, music. A toast to the new home is traditional. Skip the tour and you feel stingy; skip the toast and you miss a moment guests expect. Embrace the rituals.
Keep reading: Victoria Island vs Ikoyi: Where Expats Actually Live in Lagos.
Protect the Guest List
The single biggest risk at housewarmings is the plus-one spiral. One invited friend brings two, each of those brings one more, and suddenly your apartment has fifty strangers in it. Whispers enforces your list with verified guests and private invites — your apartment stays the size you designed it to be.