Nigeria: Travelling

Means of Transport Recommended in the Rest of the Country

Train reservation services

Nigerian Railway Corporation

Major airlines

You Can Consult The EU Air Safety List. Look Also at the rating of the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Different Forms of Tourism

Historical

Some of Nigeria's historic buildings include the Chief Ogiamen's House, the wall and moat of Benin City, the Emir's Palace and the wall of the ancient city of Kano. The minaret of Gobirau in Katsina is the largest mud brick building in Nigeria. The Eredo of Sungbo is the oldest African precolonial archaeological site known to date. The cities of Lagos and Calabar illustrate the colonial history and the slave trade.

The Sukur Cultural Landscape with the Palace of the Hidi (Chief) is included on the World Heritage List. The site is located on a hill overlooking the terraced fields. Another major cultural heritage site in Nigeria is the Yoruba Osun-Osugbo Sacred Grove that contains many relics.

Cultural

Music and dance are an integral part of the Nigerian culture. Nowadays, Nigerian music is very diverse, ranging from traditional music to gospel, juju, reggae and Afrobeat. Afrobeat, one of the more popular forms of music in Nigeria, was created by Fela Anikulapo-Kuti a famous musician of the 1980s. His son Femi Kuti has been dubbed the 'Bob Marley of Africa' ​​because of his success and the social message his music transmits.

Nigeria has a film industry known as 'Nollywood' is a $3 billion industry and the second biggest in terms of volume, according to a Forbes article. It exports films throughout Africa.

Ancient sculptures made ​​of bronze and other metals have been found in Nigeria. Additionally, Ebony and ivory are also traditional materials used for sculptures.

In the literary world, Chinua Achebe and Ken Saro-Wiwa are well-known Nigeria's authors. Another one, Wole Soyinka was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986.Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie won the Orange Prize for Fiction in 2007.

Nature

Nigeria has a lot to offer to nature lovers such as natural landscapes, parks and reservations, wildlife and diverse flora. The national parks include the Chad Basin, Cross River, Gashaki-Gumpti Lake Kainji, Kamuku, Okomu, Old Oyo and Yankari. Yankari National Park, the country's main tourist attraction, is the largest park in Africa and a popular ecotourism centre. The Lekki Conservation Centre, located just outside Lagos, is home to many endangered species endemic to Africa. The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, listed as a World Heritage site, is one of the last among the Yoruba sacred groves. The Mambilla Plateau offers an astonishing landscape of ochre sand, which is emblematic of Africa.

Religious

The Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove, the National Mosque of Abuja, the Shitta Bey Mosque, the Great Mosque of Kano, the Gidan Makama Mosque and the Duke Church are some of the largest religious centres in the country.

Thermal

Nigeria has many thermal springs that are mainly located in the Benue Trough. Among these are the hot springs of Ikogosi Ekiti (southwestern Nigeria) located in a resort with many facilities, the Awhum falls and hot springs in Enugu and the Wikki springs in the Yankari National Park.

Beach

Nigeria has an abundance of beautiful beaches that attract many tourists. These include the Lekki Peninsula in Lagos, popular among foreign tourists with shelters made ​​of palm leaves and parasols. Eleko, located on the Lekki Peninsula, ideal for those seeking a serene and private environment. Tarkwa Bay, a sheltered beach, only accessible by boat from Maroko and with safe swimming conditions. Coconut beach, a beautiful beach surrounded by palm trees and located near the town of Badagry, west of Lagos.  Bar or Victoria beach, the most popular among locals is located on Victoria Island. It can be found opposite the Federal Guest House and Calabar beach, isolated, accessible only by boat and surrounded by marshes, for those looking for privacy and seclusion.

Outdoor Activities

Nigeria offers conditions for a great number of outdoor activities such as climbing the Chappal Waddi, the highest mountain in Nigeria, visiting the Mambilla Plateau by ATV, hiking on the Obudu Plateau, horse-riding, safari, boating or canoeing, or enjoying the Calabar beach and marshes.

Shopping

On Jankara market, the largest market in Lagos, one can find a wide selection of traditional Nigerian textiles and light, loose and colourful clothes. The materials used are lace, the Adire (indigo-dyed fabric) and Ankara (wax-dyed fabric). Women traditionally wear loose blouses falling below the waist (buba), iro (a rectangular piece wrapped around the waist) and a cap (gele). The Sokoto are loose trousers worn by men. There are also handmade beads, jewelry and pottery. Part of the market is devoted to the sale of traditional herbs, medicine (juju), potions and powders. The Balogun market in Lagos also offers a wide range of similar products. Good deals can also be found on the Isaiah Eko or Bar beach markets.

There are several shopping centres, including the modern Palms Shopping Mall in Lagos, which sells electronics, jewelry and fashion by international brands. It houses over 30 stores, including banking and other services for foreigners, as well as restaurants offering international cuisine.

Tourism Organisations

Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria

Health and Safety

Health Precautions

An international certificate of vaccination against yellow fever and cholera is required, if one is coming from an infected area. During the rainy season, cholera is endemic in the northern part of the country, which means that extra care must be taken when consuming water (drinking from sealed bottles, normal water is not drinkable), vegetables and fruit, as well as when handling cash. Prophylaxis against malaria and immunisation against tuberculosis are also recommended.

International Hospitals

Nigerian health facilities are generally of poor quality compared to Western standards and offer limited medical services. Material shortages are frequent and the blood supply is not considered safe. Hygienic conditions are problematic, especially outside major cities.

It is strongly recommended that foreigners only use private clinics and hospitals. In the event that a serious treatment is required, it is recommended one seek medical assistance in South Africa. However, for routine checkups and minor problems, private clinics in the urban areas of Nigeria provide satisfactory level of service.

For a list of recommended hospital see this link.

For Further Information on Sanitary Conditions

Health Ministry
World Health Organisation

For Further Information on Safety Conditions

Country Travel Information from the Government of Canada

Time Difference and Climate

Time and Time Difference

It is %T:%M %A In Abuja (GMT+1)

Summer Time Period

None