Courtesy of the Commonwealth Secretariat
Language
The official language in Nigeria is English. There are however three major ethnic languages – Hausa, Ibo and Yoruba. A multitude of more than 250 ethnic languages are also in circulation.
Air Transport
Lagos, Abuja, Port-Harcourt and other Airports in Nigeria are within easy reach. There are frequent airline services from major European capitals, African countries and the United States flying into Nigeria on daily basis. The major airline companies that serve Nigeria include:
- Virgin Atlantic
- Virgin Nigeria
- Air France : daily departure from Paris and from Cameroon
- Lufthansa Airlines
- Royal Air Maroc
- Iberia Airlines
- British Airlines
- KLM Royal Dutch
- Arik Airlines
- SWISSAIR
- Emirates
- Air Qatar
Other airlines include: Kenya Airways, Air Gabon, Air Ivoire, Bellview Airlines Ltd. The points of entry into Nigeria are Abuja, Lagos and Port-Harcourt. We recommend that all participants should book their flights for the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. The journey from this airport to the conference venue takes about an hour.
Getting Around in Lagos/Ota
The organizing committee shall provide transportation to delegates from the various hotels to the conference venue and back throughout the duration of the conference and for the different tours. However, for conference participants wishing to discover Ota and Lagos , getting around is easy. There are different types of taxis with varied fares for movement in town. A taxi drop within town costs N50 (fifty naira) (several passengers share the same vehicle). The cost of hiring a taxi within town is open to bargain though the normal rate is N2500.
VISA
Visas are required by all travellers entering the country. Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond intended stay. Visitors should make a copy of the photopage of their passport and keep it on them at all times, and store their passports in a hotel safe. A yellow fever vaccination certificate will be required by those arriving from infected areas. Travellers are prohibited from bringing champagne, beer, mineral water, soft drinks, fruit, vegetables, cereal, eggs, jewellery, textile fabrics and mosquito netting. However, for member countries in which Nigeria’s diplomatic mission is not established, visas shall be issued at the port of entry into the country. Citizens of all ECOWAS countries including Cameroon do not require a visa to enter Nigeria.
Travel within the Country
Traffic drives on the right and car hire is available in Lagos and Abuja, but it is advisable to book these through a hotel. An international driving permit is required, accompanied by two passport-size photos. Road travel is banned in Lagos between 0700–1000 on the last Saturday of every month for municipal road clean up, and this is strictly enforced.
Bus services and bush taxis connect all the main cities. Most hotels offer chauffeur-driven cars.
Trains are generally slow but are cheaper than buses. A daily service runs on the two main lines from Lagos to Kano and from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri. Sleeping cars are available but must be booked in advance. Domestic flights are very cheap, though visitors should be aware that they can be cancelled at short notice.
Travel Health
Visitors should make sure they have comprehensive health insurance which includes medical evacuation. Vaccinations against meningococcal meningitis, tuberculosis and Hepatitis B are sometimes recommended, but current inoculation requirements should be checked well before travel.
Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should first have been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised.
Money
The local currency is the Naira. Currency must only be changed at approved facilities. Visitors should ensure that they bring enough money (sterling, US dollars or euros) to cover their costs. Acceptance of travellers cheques is limited to Abuja and larger towns. Credit cards are rarely accepted
Banks and Money Exchange
Foreign currencies are easily exchanged to Naira by authorized exchange agencies, banks, big hotels and some travel agencies in Lagos and Abuja International Airports.
Facilities for cashing traveler’s checks in Nigeria are available at banks (opening hours 7.30 am - 3.30 pm), exchange agencies and at most hotels. Banks are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Cash dispensers/Automatic Teller Machines are also available all over the country including the conference venues and operete 24hrs. Many international banks have branches in Lagos. Please find out from your bank before traveling.
Tipping
Service is included in prices but tipping is encouraged.
Practical Matters
* Electrical current
The electrical current in Nigeria is 240V. Plugs and sockets are the same as in Europe. Adapters are widely available in departmental stores. In case your equipment requires different voltage, an electrical transformer will be needed.
* Weather
Nature's gift to Nigeria are two seasons, each providing unforgettable experiences. The climate of Ota is relatively cool, the air is fresh and clean. The month of March is generally sunny and humid. Temperatures range between 250C and 300C with the lowest temperatures experienced during the nights.
Time zone
West Africa Time (WAT), a time zone used in western and west-central Africa (though not in countries west of Benin, which instead use GMT). The zone is one hour ahead of UTC (UTC+1), which makes it the same as Central European Time. As most of this time zone is in the equatorial region there is no significant change in day length throughout the year, so daylight saving time is not observed. The exception to this is Namibia, which moves to West Africa Summer Time (UTC+2) in the summer months, September to April.
Immunizations
A vaccination against Yellow Fever is compulsory (the international Health Certificate is required at the airport). Immunization against malaria is highly recommended and it is preferable to drink mineral water. There are medical facilities at the conference venue with stand-by nurses for first aid attention when required. Although, the Yellow Fever vaccination is the only required vaccine to enter the country. Some participants have some interests in other recommended vaccines.
Culled from the Commonwealth of Nations http://www.commonwealth-of-nations.org/Nigeria/Travel
Contact Details
U.S. EMBASSY, ABUJAEmbassy of the United States of America
Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive
Central District Area, Abuja, Nigeria
Telephone: (234)-9-461-4000
Fax: (234)-9-461-4036
U. S. CONSULATE GENERAL, LAGOS
2, Walter Carrington Crescent
Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria
Telephone: (234)-1-460-3400
Fax: (234)-1-261-9856
British High Commission (Trade/Investment and Visa Sections), Abuja
Dangote House,
Aguyi Ironsi Street, Wuse, Abuja
Telephone: (00 234) (9) 413 2010/2011/3885-7
Facsimile: (00 234) (9) 413 4565 or 3552
Office Hours: GMT: 07:00-14:30 Monday-Friday
Local: 08:00-15:30 Monday-Friday
Deputy British High Commission, Lagos
11 Walter Carrington Crescent
Victoria Island, Lagos
Telephone: (00 234) (1) 2619531, 2619537, 2619541
Duty Officer: (00 234) (0) 8034022765
Facsimile: (00 234) (1) 2614021 or 2625940
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Office Hours: GMT 07:00-14:30 Local: 08:00-15:30
