Western Africa
Western AfricaNigeriaTravel guide
- Abuja
- Benin City
- Calabar
- Enugu
- Ibadan
- Kano
Nigeria is a large country in West Africa. It has more than 250 ethnic groups, over 500 languages, varied landscapes, lively music and films, and many traditional foods. Serious security risks affect parts of the country.
Why go
Explore beaches and the Lekki Conservation Center in Lagos.
See the old walled cities of Kano, Katsina and Zaria.
Enjoy mountain scenery, forest walks and hiking around Obudu.
Try jollof rice, traditional soups and suya.
Experience Nigerian films, known as Nollywood, and Afrobeat music.
Getting there
By air
- Lagos is Nigeria's main international airport. Other international airports include Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and Uyo.
- Flights connect Nigeria with European cities including London, Amsterdam, Paris, Istanbul and Frankfurt.
- Direct services listed include Atlanta to Nigeria and Washington, DC to Lagos.
By land
- There are no international passenger trains to Nigeria.
By sea
- Boat transport is not widespread.
Getting around
Ride services and taxis
Bolt is usually the easiest option in major cities such as Lagos and Abuja. Lagos has many buses and taxis. Smaller cities generally have more taxis than buses. For trips between cities, go to a motor park and find a taxi going to your destination. It leaves when full, and the fare is fixed.
Car with a driver
Hiring a car with a driver is an easier and safer option for visitors unfamiliar with local roads. Roads can have large potholes or missing sections. Wear your seat belt. Keep away from large vehicles, which may have poor brakes, missing mirrors or unsecured loads. Grass or branches placed on the road warn of a broken-down vehicle ahead.
Driving yourself
Driving is on the right. Self-driving is not advised for short-term visitors unfamiliar with the roads, especially in Lagos. The source says a Nigerian driving licence or a special International Driving Permit valid for Nigeria is needed. The common international permit is not accepted. Unfamiliar routes may lead to areas controlled by gangs or gang roadblocks. On the last Saturday of the month, many people in Lagos and Kano limit travel until after 10 AM because of sanitation activities and extra police checkpoints.
Domestic flights
Domestic flying is widespread, with airports in most states. Ibom Air, Arik and Aero Contractors offer scheduled domestic flights. At Lagos airport, the domestic terminals are about 4–5 km by road from the international terminal. Take a taxi for this transfer.
What to see and do
Lagos beaches and Lekki Conservation Center
Beach options include Oniru, Landmark, Badagry and Tarkwa Bay. Lekki Conservation Center protects a small tropical rainforest.
Riyom Rocks, Plateau
Visit for rock scenery, sightseeing and hiking.
Marina Resort, Calabar
The resort has slave monuments, parks, a cinema and harbour boat rides.
Obudu Mountain Resort
This mountain escape offers forest walks, hiking, a cable car and swimming pools.
Kano, Katsina and Zaria
These cities have old walled centres.
Oyo
See the Palace of Alaafin, traditional markets and calabash carvers.
Food and drink
Jollof rice
A famous West African rice dish.
Suya
A type of kebab.
Pounded yam
Also called iyan in Yoruba, pronounced roughly “ee-yarn”.
Traditional soups
Options include afang, okra, egusi, ogbono and groundnut soup.
Plantain
Served fried, boiled or roasted.
Isi ewu
A goat's head stew.
Money
Nigerian naira (₦; currency code NGN)
- Exchange leftover naira before leaving Nigeria. Banks usually exchange foreign currency into naira but may not exchange it back.
- Currency exchange offices are available at airport terminals. The tourist market at Eko Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, is also mentioned as a safe exchange location.
- Count money carefully when using street money changers. Keep all the money visible until the exchange is finished.
- Some cash machines accept Visa, Mastercard or Maestro cards. Machines at Lagos airport may not always work.
Typical costs
- Bottled water was about ₦200 for a small bottle and ₦400 for a large bottle in June 2024.
- Water in plastic sachets was listed at ₦30 for one or ₦50 for two.
- The source lists a monthly mobile package of 40 gigabytes of data and 40 minutes of calls for ₦11,000.
Language
- English is the official and most widely spoken language, but it is less widely spoken in rural areas.
- Nigerian Pidgin comes from English and is widely used in informal conversation.
- Hausa is the country's second most spoken language.
- Yoruba is widely spoken in southwestern Nigeria.
- More than 500 languages are spoken across Nigeria.
Staying safe
- The source reports government warnings against travel to parts of Nigeria, especially northern areas. Risks include terrorism, armed attacks, kidnapping and clashes between communities.
- Crime levels are high, particularly in Lagos.
- The far northeast is affected by Boko Haram attacks. The source reports advice against travel to this area.
- The Niger Delta has violence involving government forces and militant groups. Foreign oil workers have been kidnapped.
Local customs
Do
- Show respect to older people and people in authority. Disagree politely and tactfully.
- Show respect when greeting elders, especially in traditional villages.
- Before visiting a home in the mainly Muslim north, let the household know you are coming.
- Knock and wait to be invited inside. You may need to wait while women in the household cover themselves.
Don't
- Do not hand things to people with your left hand, especially older people. This is considered insulting.
- Do not step or jump over someone's outstretched legs.
- Avoid shaking hands with elders in non-Igbo villages, where this can be disrespectful.
- During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight hours. Non-Muslims do not have to fast, but public eating and drinking are considered impolite.
Staying healthy
- The source says yellow fever vaccination is required, preferably 10 days before arrival.
- Malaria is common. Malaria pills and mosquito nets are recommended.
- The source reports a high rate of polio infection in northern Nigeria.
- Choose bottled water and check for a printed registration from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, known as NAFDAC.
Phone and internet
- Mobile providers listed are Airtel, MTN, 9mobile and Glo.
- These providers offer prepaid services and data packages.
- The source says all mobile operators have roaming agreements with operators in other countries.
- Mobile providers offer data services and home wireless internet devices.
Where to stay
- Almost all hotels require payment before giving you a room key.
- Hotels typically request 125% of the room rate in advance. The excess is refunded when you settle the bill on departure.
- For stays longer than one night, you may need to add more money to your hotel account.
- The source warns that paying a hotel deposit by credit card can expose your card details to later fraud.
Outdoor adventures in Nigeria
Nigeria has rainforest reserves, wildlife parks, rocky hills and beaches. You can hike, watch wildlife, visit waterfalls and take boat rides. Security risks are serious in parts of the country, especially the north, and some governments advise against travel to certain areas.
Yankari Game Reserve
Wildlife
Visit the reserve for wildlife and natural warm springs. Access and booking details are not given.
Okomu National Park
Wildlifenear Benin City
The park is south of Udaken. Contact the Nigerian National Park Service on +234 7069666450 for directions.
Cross River National Park
WildlifeSouth South Nigeria
Visit the national park. Access and booking details are not given.
Gashaka Gumti National Park
Wildlife
The park is near the Cameroon border. Access and booking details are not given.
Kainji National Park
WildlifeNorth Central Nigeria
Visit this protected savannah park. Access and booking details are not given.
Kamuku National Park
Wildlife
Visit the park for wildlife and landscape viewing. Access and booking details are not given.
Old Oyo National Park
More to doOyo, South West Nigerianear Ibadan
The park office is on Iseyin–Oyo Road in Isokun, Oyo, about 57 km north of Ibadan. The park is about another 40 km north. Contact the park on +234 8035928616.
Tarkwa Bay Beach
BeacheLagos, South West Nigerianear Lagos
Visit this Lagos beach. Transport details are not given.
Landmark Beach
BeacheLagos, South West Nigerianear Lagos
Visit this Lagos beach. Transport details are not given.
Oniru Beach
BeacheLagos, South West Nigerianear Lagos
Visit this Lagos beach. Transport details are not given.
Badagry Beach
BeacheLagos, South West Nigerianear Lagos
Visit this beach in the Lagos area. Transport details are not given.
Lekki Conservation Center
WildlifeLagos, South West Nigerianear Lagos
Visit the fenced tropical rainforest reserve in Lagos. Access and booking details are not given.
Ado Awaye Mountains and Suspended Lakes
HikeSouth West Nigerianear Ibadan
Travel about 110 km northwest of Ibadan to Ado Awaiye. From the central mosque, take the road east for about 1 km to reach the hiking area.
- The route has 600 steps, so prepare for a physical workout.
Obudu Mountain Resort forest walks and hiking
HikeSouth South Nigerianear Obudu
Rent a car with a driver at Calabar airport. Ask to travel to Obudu via Tinapa. Obudu is a few hours north of Calabar, near the Cameroon border.
Riyom Rocks
HikePlateau, North Central Nigeria
Go to Riyom Rocks in Plateau for hiking. Transport and guiding details are not given.
Usuma Lower Dam trails
HikeFederal Capital Territory, North Central Nigerianear Abuja
Head to Usuma Lower Dam for hiking trails around the rounded rock hills. Transport and guiding details are not given.
Ideere Hills
HikeSouth West Nigeria
Reach the hills from Igbo Ora–Eruwa Road. Guiding and booking details are not given.
Onyeama coal mine
HikeEnugu, South East Nigerianear Enugu
Visit the former Onyeama coal mine from Enugu. It is open to public visits, but route and guiding details are not given.
Okpara coal mine
HikeEnugu, South East Nigerianear Enugu
Visit the former Okpara coal mine from Enugu. It is open to public visits, but route and guiding details are not given.
Afi Mountain Drill Ranch and canopy walkway
WildlifeAfi Mountainsnear Calabar
Arrange a visit in advance with the Drill Monkey Rehab Centre team in Calabar. The ranch is near Katabang. You need a suitable vehicle and a map to reach it.
- The forest canopy walkway is 25 m above the ground.
IITA Forest Reserve
WildlifeSouth West Nigerianear Ibadan
The reserve is at IITA on Oyo Road in Ibadan. Visitor access and booking details are not given.
Agbokim Waterfalls
More to do
Visit the waterfalls. Transport and guiding details are not given.
Awhum Waterfall
More to doEnugu, South East Nigerianear Enugu
Travel to Awhum in Udi Local Government Area. Route and guiding details are not given.
Calabar River speedboat ride
More to doCross River, South South Nigerianear Calabar
Go to Marina Resort on the river, downhill from the National Museum. Take a speedboat ride from the resort, which has on-site tour guides.
- Cost: ₦100 resort entry; approximately ₦1,000 for a boat ride, negotiable.
Jabi Lake boat rides
More to doFederal Capital Territory, North Central Nigerianear Abuja
Go to Jabi Recreational Park at 26 Alex Ekwueme Way, Jabi, for a boat ride on the lake.
Airports, metros and trains in Nigeria
Airports with scheduled flights
- ENUAkanu Ibiam International AirportEneguMain international airport
- ABBAsaba International AirportAsabaMain international airport
- ILRGeneral Tunde Idiagbon International AirportIlorin/OgbomoshoMain international airport
- KADKaduna International AirportKadunaMain international airport
- MIUMaiduguri International AirportMaiduguriMain international airport
- KANMallam Aminu Kano International AirportKanoMain international airport
Metro and subway
- LagosLagos Rail Mass Transit5 stations13 kmsince 2023
Trains
- Rail network
- 3,600 km
People and safety in Nigeria
Religion
No single faith is a majority. Mixed.
- Christian49%
- Muslim49%
- Folk religions1%
LGBT+ travellers
Illegal, with the death penalty in law
- The law allows death penalty.
- Some laws protect against discrimination.
Check your own government's travel advice before you go, and be careful with public displays of affection and dating apps.
Women travellers
Ranked #162 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.
51% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.
Who can visit without a visa
Travellers from 26 of 198 countries can visit Nigeria easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Visa not required18
- Visa on arrival8
- eVisa168
- Visa required4
Who can visit easily, by part of the world
For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Africa25 of 53 countries
- Americas1 of 35 countries
- Asia0 of 50 countries
- Europe0 of 46 countries
- Oceania0 of 14 countries
Questions
Is Nigeria safe for a first visit?
There are serious security risks, and the source reports government advice against travel to some areas. Crime is particularly high in Lagos, while the northeast faces attacks and the Niger Delta has violence and kidnappings.
Can I get by with English?
English is the official and most widely spoken language. It is less widely spoken in rural areas, and Nigerian Pidgin is common in informal conversation.
How do I find a taxi to another city?
Go to a motor park and find a taxi travelling to your destination. The fare is fixed, and it leaves when full.
Can I pay by card?
Many larger hotels, restaurants and shops accept major cards, but ask first whether they accept your international card. Keep your card in sight when paying.
Can I drink the water?
The source recommends bottled water with a printed NAFDAC registration. Buy it from convenience stores rather than roadside sellers.
What should I expect when checking into a hotel?
Most hotels require payment before giving you a key, typically 125% of the room rate. The excess is refunded when you settle your bill.
What food could I try?
Options include jollof rice, suya kebabs, pounded yam, plantain and soups such as egusi, afang and okra.
Is alcohol available everywhere?
Beer is widely available in Lagos, but northern states apply Islamic law that prohibits alcohol. Some hotels there do not serve it.
What should I know about visiting during Ramadan?
Avoid eating or drinking in public during daylight hours. Many restaurants close until dusk, and working hours are shorter.
What is the climate like?
The south has an equatorial climate, the centre is tropical, and the north is dry. Flooding and periodic droughts occur.
Reviewed by @snuck