Nigeria has a vast population. It is also the leading and most robust economy of Africa. It was a former British colony, but it gained independence in 1960. Located on the west of Africa, it boasts of natural beauty like all other African countries. 

On the north of Nigeria, in  Hausa and Fulani, you can find mainly Islamic groups. To the southeast, near the Gulf of Guinea, is the booming oil industry. The southwest part of the country has the important city of Lagos. In the heart of the land, you will find dense forests and a savannah. The eastern region is a bit underdeveloped when compared to the rest of the country.

Abuja is the capital city, which abounds with culture and architecture. Other cities worth a visit are Lagos (colonial capital), Ibadan (largest city in Africa), Calabar (oil city), Kano (commercial center) and Port Harcourt, Enugu (city of coal). A

natural getaway is Osogbo, a world heritage site. Owerri is a secluded town with a peaceful atmosphere. Makurdi is a beautiful place to taste Nigerian cuisines at low prices.

The roads of Nigeria are not in a good condition. Traveling will be a tiring chore, whether you drive yourself around or use Okada. Keeping in mind the unreliable roads, you should avoid the dangers which come with riding the risky Okada (motorcycle). It is also better to hire a car with a driver, for reasons of safety, insurance, and bureaucracy. 

Airways connect the major cities. Domestic flights are efficient. They will help you get around popular destinations.

The official currency is Naira. The approximate exchange rate is ₦317.5 for US$1. The government of Nigeria has fixed an artificially high rate for local currency in terms of its value in exchange for foreign currencies. Trading on the black market is extremely dangerous and could lead to arrest. Therefore, it is advisable to exchange currency at the official rate and at official exchange facilities, which include major hotels. Credit cards are rarely acceptable, because of the frequent credit card fraud. 

As for electricity, Nigeria uses type D and G sockets. You need to bring a travel adapter to fit the proper socket type. Check out the above-linked page to see the photos and other useful information. The standard voltage is 230 V.  Many of your devices may need a step-up transformer to match the electrical voltage.

This is a country of diverse culture, hence it has around five hundred languages that are spoken. But keep in mind English can help you get around the urban regions. If you are going to the rural places, learn a bit of Pidgin. It is a creole language of English used in Nigeria as lingua franca. Hotels require prior booking and upfront payment. 

August 15, 2016 12:00 am Published by Leave your thoughts

Join the Travel Club


Warning: Parameter 2 to posts_where_recent_post1() expected to be a reference, value given in /home/customer/www/artoftravel.tips/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-hook.php on line 324