Nigeria - traveltalk.travel

From the traveltalk.dk family – started in Denmark in 2018

Read in: Dansk (original)

Guide to Travel in Nigeria

One of Africa’s largest countries by population, with over 300 million people, Nigeria is growing extremely fast. It is absolutely a country we will be keeping an eye on.

Facts about the country

Officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is a sovereign country in West Africa, bordered by Niger to the north, Chad to the north-east, Cameroon to the east and Benin to the west. Its southern coast lies on the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean. It is a federal republic made up of 36 states and a federal Capital Territory, where the capital, Abuja, is located. Lagos is the most populous city in the country and on the African continent, and one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world.

Safari destinations in AfricaAfrican food. Get to know African cuisine better

Getting around

Transport in Nigeria is not always predictable, and it requires patience. Between cities and regions, the road network is the most used, and buses and minibuses, known locally as danfo in Lagos, run on fixed routes. The seats are often full, and departure times rarely follow a fixed schedule; the bus leaves once it is full.Flying is a quicker option between the largest cities, particularly when travelling between Lagos and Abuja. Here, it is often a good idea to buy tickets through reliable channels and to be aware that cancellations and delays can occur. There is a railway, but its connections are limited and can vary in quality, so it should be checked carefully before you plan a journey on it.In the cities, taxis and private drivers are the most common forms of transport for travellers. It is recommended to agree on the price or to use a driver recommended by a hotel or a trusted contact, rather than taking random vehicles on the street. Many travellers choose to hire a local driver for their entire stay, which makes it easier to move through the traffic and get between areas.

Practical matters and safety

The official language of Nigeria is English, and it is used in administration, education and in most business and tourism settings. In addition, many local languages are spoken, including Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo. A simple greeting in a local language is often well received, but English is sufficient to get by in the cities.The country’s currency is the naira. Cash is still important, and you cannot pay by card everywhere. It is wise to carry local currency in small notes, and to avoid exchanging money on the street. Credit and debit cards work at large hotels and in some shops, but you should check the situation in advance.You should consult a doctor or a travel health clinic well before departure, as vaccination requirements and recommendations can change. A yellow fever vaccination may be required on entry, and malaria prophylaxis is often recommended. It is also important to have good travel insurance that covers illness and evacuation.Safety varies greatly between areas and over time. It is wise to keep up to date with the current situation, follow the travel advice issued by the Danish authorities and avoid being out alone at night. Expensive equipment should be kept out of sight, and you should avoid crowds and demonstrations. In Lagos and Abuja, it is recommended to travel with a trusted driver and to stick to areas that your hotel and local contacts have assessed as safe.

Getting to and from the country

Most travellers arrive in Nigeria via one of the two largest international airports, Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja. There are direct connections from several European airports, but route maps and departures change, so you should check current routes and airlines when planning your trip.Nigeria requires a visa for most foreign nationals, including Danish citizens. Visa rules and the application process are set by the Nigerian authorities, and they can change, so it is important to check the current requirements with the Nigerian embassy or the relevant consulate well in advance of departure. The same applies to any requirements for a valid passport with sufficient remaining validity and blank pages.On arrival, you will typically be asked to show your visa, and your luggage may be checked. It is wise to have copies of your passport, visa and important documents, both in physical and digital form. When returning home, you should also be aware of the rules that apply to departure and any formalities at the airport.

When is the best time to travel

Nigeria has a tropical climate with two main seasons, a rainy season and a dry season. The rainy season is the wet period, when it rains heavily and often daily, while the dry season is more pronounced in the northern parts of the country. The differences between the country’s regions are considerable, so it is a good idea to check the weather for the specific area you plan to visit.In the southern part of the country, where Lagos lies on the coast, humidity is high all year round, and rain can arrive in short, heavy downpours. Here, dry weather is generally more comfortable for travelling. In the northern savannah and Sahel areas, the dry season becomes more marked, and the air can be dusty and hot. The rainy season makes many roads in the north difficult to pass, so transport is also affected by the time of year.The most obvious travel period is therefore the drier months, when the roads are easier to use and the southern regions are at their most pleasant. Whatever the time, you should expect warm temperatures and high humidity, and plan your trip with flexibility, as the weather can affect both departures and daily transport.

Food and drink

Nigerian cuisine is heavily spiced and often built around rice, beans, maize, yam and meat or fish. Jollof rice is probably the best-known dish. It is cooked with tomato, pepper and spices and is often served at parties and larger gatherings. There is strong disagreement among the nationalities of West Africa about who makes the best one, and it is a topic that makes for lively conversation at the table.Suya is grilled meat, typically beef, seasoned with a dry blend of ground peanuts, pepper and local spices. It is often sold from small stalls and cooked over an open flame, and served with onion and tomato. Egusi soup is a thick soup made from melon seeds, which gives it a nutty flavour, and it is usually served with fufu or another starch-based dish.Drink water only from sealed bottles, and avoid ice unless you know where it was made. The same applies to cut fruit and salads that may have been washed in untreated water. Street food stalls can be perfectly fine, but choose with care: a busy place with a steady flow of customers and hot food served straight from the pot is usually the safest bet. Be cautious with raw food and dairy products, and keep your hands clean with hand sanitiser or bottled water.

Costs and budgetPrices in Nigeria vary widely between cities, standards and times of year, and the Nigerian naira has experienced considerable fluctuations. This makes fixed figures difficult to give, so it is wise to check current prices with your hotel, driver and transport company before committing. A realistic budget often combines fixed costs with a margin for unexpected expenses.Staying at larger international hotels in Lagos and Abuja is generally considerably more expensive than staying at smaller guesthouses. Between these there is a wide range, and it is sensible to book well in advance, especially during busy periods. Hotel prices are often quoted in dollars or euros, while payment is made in naira, so check the exchange rate when you book.Transport is one of the biggest outlays, especially if you use a private driver for your whole stay. The daily rate for a reliable driver is typically far higher than a public bus fare, but it offers flexibility and peace of mind in traffic. Contacting local transport firms or your hotel can give you a good starting point for comparing offers.Food and drink at local restaurants is cheaper than at hotels, and the same goes for daily shopping at the markets. Also factor in costs for visas, vaccinations, malaria medication, insurance and any guides, and add a margin for unforeseen situations. Carry both naira in cash and a card for emergencies, as payment options do not always work.

Selected destinations and routes
Beyond Lagos and Abuja there are several destinations that give a different impression of the country. Calabar in the south-east is a coastal city with a climate similar to the rest of the south, and it is known for its history from the era of the slave trade and for a distinctive festival culture. The journey there from Lagos is long, typically taking a full day by car, so it requires good planning and a reliable driver.
The Jos Plateau in central Nigeria sits higher than the surrounding areas, and its climate is milder and cooler. The region is known for its granite formations, its local villages and its great variety of cultures. The security situation there should be assessed carefully before departure, and it is important to follow current advice.
Yankari Game Reserve in north-eastern Nigeria is one of the country’s largest nature reserves, where you can see elephants, buffalo and various antelope in the savannah landscape. The reserve has warm springs where you can bathe, and it is one of the few places where wildlife is a natural focus of the trip. Access requires long-distance transport and often a local guide, so arrange it well in advance.
The routes between these destinations are often long, and road conditions vary. There are flight connections to some of the larger cities, but they are not always regular, and you should expect that a car is the most flexible option. Plan your trip well in advance and leave some slack in the itinerary.

Local cultural norms

Nigeria is a religiously observant society, where Islam is widespread in the northern parts of the country, while Christianity predominates in much of the south. In many places religion is part of everyday life, and it affects both dress and behaviour. When visiting mosques and churches, dress modestly, cover your shoulders and knees, and follow the rules that apply at the site, including removing your shoes when required.

Dress in everyday situations is often more conservative than many travellers expect, especially outside the tourist areas of the big cities. Long trousers and T-shirts with sleeves are a safe choice, and you should avoid clothing that is very short or see-through. In the northern, Muslim-majority areas it is particularly wise to be mindful of this.

Always ask permission before photographing people. Many Nigerians react negatively if they are photographed without being asked, and in the worst case this can lead to conflict. This also applies to military installations, police posts and public buildings, where photography may be prohibited. Greetings matter a great deal, and it is considered polite to start a conversation with a friendly greeting and a smile before getting straight to your business. Use your right hand when handing something to someone, and be reluctant to point or to use your left hand alone.