Nigeria

Visitor Information

Climate | Latest Travel Advice | Visas & Immigration | Money | Local Time | Getting Around | Public Holidays | Electrical Power | Travel Insurance

CLIMATE

Although Nigeria lies wholly within the tropical zone, there are wide climatic variations in different areas of the country. Near the coast, the seasons are not sharply defined. Temperatures rarely exceed 32°C (90°F), but humidity is very high and nights are hot.. Inland, there are two distinct seasons: a wet season from April to October, with generally lower temperature, and a dry season from November to March, with midday temperatures that surpass 38°C (100°F) but relatively cool nights. On the Jos Plateau, temperature are more moderate

Average rainfall along the coast varies from 70 inches in the west to about 170 inches in certain parts of the east. Inland it decreases to around 50 inches over most of central Nigeria and only 20 inches in the extreme north.

Two principal wind currents affect Nigeria; the harmattan, from the northeast, is hot and dry and carries reddish dust from the desert. and causes high temperatures during the day and cool nights. and the southwest wind brings cloudy and rainy weather.

Climate Chart for Lagos

For today's weather forecast see    CNN - Africa Weather Forecasts

LATEST TRAVEL ADVICE

Foreign & Commonwealth Office (London)
US State Department - Travel Warnings

VISAS & IMMIGRATION

Visas are required by everyone except national from Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo. Passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months after the intended departure date. Visas are not issued on any land borders or on arrival at the airport.

Listing of Nigerian Tourist offices and/or embassies located around the world

MONEY

Official Currency:  1 Niara=100 kobo
Current Exchange Rate:    Today's Exchange Rate

VISA Teller Machines for cash advance are available at Standard Chartered Bank branches 24 hours

MASTERCARD services are available at ECOBANK branches.


BANKING & BUSINESS HOURS

Banking:   Monday to Friday: Open: 0800hrs Close: 1600hrs - Only a handful in busy commercial locations are open on Saturdays.

Shops:     Monday to Friday: 0800-1700    Saturday: 0800-1630


LOCAL TIME

Nigeria is one hour ahead of GMT

TRANSPORT & GETTING AROUND

Air:

International Flights fro Europe to Nigeria

Click for flights from Europe with KLM

Click for flights from Europe with BA.com


Domestic Flights

Domestic flights operate between Lagos and Maiduguri, Abuja, Kaduna, Benin City, Enugu, Kano, Jos, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Sokoto and Yola and someother cities. Helicopters have regular flights to the oilfields, and charter services are available as well. Fares can be paid for in local currency.

Rail:
The service connects Lagos to Kano and Port Harcourt to Maiduguri with stopovers at various towns. The service is unreliable and poor and often does not run. but when it does it is a cheap way of getting around.

Public Transport:
The southern part of the country is well connected by a bus service but further north the main form of transport is shared taxis of up to six people.. Motorcycle taxis are common in the cities and outskirts.


Self Drive / Hire Cars:

Road conditions are deteriorating and there are many pot-holes. Some lesser used roads are impassable during and after the rains. Beware of unmarked roads blocks. Petrol is very cheap in Nigeria. Driving is on the right hand side and an International Driving Licence is required. Car Hire is available in Lagos and Abuja.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

ELECTRICAL POWER

TRAVEL INSURANCE

If you need medical care whilst in Nigeria, it is best to be aware that medical providers may not accept payment through your insurance company. In these circumstances you will have to pay in full after your treatment and file a claim with your insurance company for reimbursement. Therefore you should have access to cash, either from a credit card or by wire transfer. If you need assistance contact the country's local embassy or representative.

To be compensated you must be treated by licensed medical personnel and provide your insurance company with proper documentation and receipts.

It is advisable to always ensure you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy which covers you for repatriation to your home country.

You can check out the following websites which specialise in long term travellers, adventure travellers, backpackers and workers based abroad.

	Insure and Go - UK Travellers whether it's for a one off holiday or if you travel many times over the year, if you're off backpacking before university or you're retired and looking to explore the world; if you're after winter sports cover or if it's for a business trip, a wedding abroad or a golfing weekend away, we have a policy at the right price to ensure you have the peace of mind that you are covered for the unexpected while you're away.
	- UK Travellers Offering a full range of policies, single trip, young travellers, long stay, annual cover for UK residents. Get your quote and policy on-line....
	Insure My Trip - USA travellers offer 63 different travel insurance plans from 14 different companies - no other site has such product depth or comparison features. You can compare each policy giving you the information you need to make an informed decision about your travel insurance needs. .
	Downunder Insurance - UK - Australia and New Zealand Travellers offers travel insurance to travellers and residents in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Our cover ranges from basic to highly comprehensive, with affordable policies aimed at backpackers and gap-year students, but with cover available to travellers and holiday makers up to 55 years of age.