Nigeria
Abuja (300.000)
924.000 km2
English
Islam and Christianity
100.000.000
Republic
Nigeria is a large country, home to more than half of the population in West Africa. Nigeria's southern coastline is characterized by a humid climate with mangrove swamps and dense forests. This is where the oil industry of the country is situated. On the other side of the River Niger, which traverses the country, are the great savannas. The eastern part of the country has many mountains.
You will benefit most from travelling to Nigeria from December to March. This is when the weather is nicest and you avoid the rainy season and the worst humidity. Furthermore two very exciting festivals take place in the northern part of Nigeria in February: the Sallah Festival and the fishing festival of Sokoto are both major attractions.
Lonely Planet West Africa
Lonely Planet Africa on a Shoestring
To Timbuktu - a journey down the Niger
Naira (N)
Nigeria only has very few internet cafés. Most of them are in Lagos.
As a rule you give a 10 percent tip in restaurants, taxis and the like. In expensive hotels it is also expected that you tip the staff. In Nigeria tipping is associated with status. This means that tips are not expected from backpackers and in cheap restaurants.
When the time is 12.00 in the U.K., it is 13.00 in Nigeria.
In Nigeria the following weight and measure units are used:
Length: metre
Weight: kilo
Avoid taking pictures of airports, bridges, military equipment and anything that can be considered as strategic information. If in doubt, ask. Otherwise your film and your camera might be confiscated. Don't forget that the heat, the humidity and the sunlight can damage your camera.
You shouldn't drink the tapwater. Use bottled water (incuding for brushing your teeth).
In Nigeria the following power source is used:
220/250 volt AC/50 Hz.
In the northern (and Muslim) part of the country, women should cover their arms and legs so as not to give offence. In Lagos and in the southern part of the country there is a much more relaxed attitude towards clothes, and in the nightlife in Lagos there are no restrictions whatsoever.
Shops are open from 8.30 to 17.00 (Monday to Friday).
Public offices are open from 7.30 to 15.30 (Monday to Friday) and from 7.30 to 13.00 (Saturday).
Banks are open from 8.00 to 15.00 (Monday to Thursday) and from 8.00 to 13.00 (Friday).
Nigeria is a regular soup paradise. Soup is eaten all the time, and there are soups in all imaginable colours and taste variants. Try the paella-like jollof-rice, too, and the cookie-like moin-moin, a real West-African speciality.
Wheelchair slopes and similar facilities for disabled people are practically non-existent in Nigeria. So it can be difficult to get around if you are in a wheelchair.
New Year's Day: January 1st
May Day: May 1st
Natinal Day: October 1st
Christmas: December 25th - 26th
Shifting holidays:
Good Friday: March or April
Easter Monday: March or April
Tabaski (2 days of praising Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son)
Eid al-Fitr (the end of the Ramadan): December, January or February
Eid al-Moulid, the birthday of the profet Muhammed: about 3 months after Tabaski
Only a few towns have camping facilities. The prices are very reasonable indeed.
It is pretty easy to find hotel rooms at a reasonable price in Nigeria. Note that the prices are a bit above average in Lagos and Abuja. Look for something in the suburbs if you think the prices are too high.
They are not common.
They are not common.
In some towns (for instance Jos, Sokoto, Kano and Ibadan), mission stations are renting out rooms at very favourable prices.
It is cheap to fly. Please note that tickets for national flights can't be booked in advance. Just go to the airport and be prepared for a wait. The private airline companies are much better than the state-owned ones.
The many private bus companies connect all larger towns and offer safer and much more comfortable transportation than alternative ways of travelling.
The railway system only connects the largest towns. Be prepared for constant delays and many cancellations.
It can be dangerous to go by taxi. Many taxi drivers seem to be involved in armed robberies. Be particularly careful when choosing a cab at the airport. Remember to write down the license plate of the taxi.
Bush taxis are not as comfortable as ordinary buses, but they are quick and cheap and run 24 hours a day.
The last Saturday of the month is an official 'clean-up' day. A permit is required to be on the streets between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. Nigeria has a very high crime rate. The towns in the southern part of the country especially can be extremely dangerous at night. There is a risk of catching a number of serious diseases during a visit. Contact your doctor to get the required vaccinations before the departure. To be safe read any current Foreign Office guidelines before visiting Nigeria.
