TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
U.S
Driving Permit accepted |
| Currency |
(NGN)
Naira |
| Electrical |
240 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 234, City Code Lagos 1+7D, Ibadan 2+7D, Abuja 9+7D, Ado-Ekiti
30+6D |
Climate
Varies from area to area. The southern coast is hot and humid
with a rainy season from March to November. During the dry season,
the Harmattan wind blows from the Sahara. The north’s rainy
season is from July to September. Nights can be cold in December
and January.
Clothing
Lightweight cottons and linens are worn, with a warm wrap advisable
in the north. Rainwear is essential during the rainy season.
Food
& Drink
There are restaurants of all varieties in Lagos and the major
towns. European and Oriental food is readily available. Although
there are self-service cafes, mainly in department stores, most
restaurants have table service. Nigerian food is typical of that
found throughout West Africa, and meals will often include yam,
sweet potatoes, plantain and pepper soup, with regional variations.
In the north, meat is more popular than in other areas; specialities
are suya (barbecued liver and beef on sticks) and kilishi (spiced
dried meat), in the east egussi soup (stew of meat, dried fish
and melon seeds), and in the south goat meat and bush meat, particularly
antelope, which is considered a delicacy.
There are many brands of locally brewed and bottled beer which
are very good. Spirits are expensive. Larger hotels and clubs
have bars and cocktail lounges.
Shopping
Markets are the most interesting places to shop. Special purchases
include adire (patterned, indigo-dyed cloth), batiks and pottery
from the southwest, leatherwork and kaduna cotton from the north
and carvings from the east. Designs vary greatly, many towns having
their own distinctive style. Other purchases include herbs, beadwork,
basketry and ceremonial masks such as those of the Ekpo. Shopping
hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1700, Sat 0800-1630.
Currency
Naira (N) = 100 kobo. Notes are in denominations of N500, 200,
100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of N1.
Credit
& debit cards
American Express, MasterCard, Diners Club and Visa are rarely
accepted in Nigeria and, because of the prevalence of credit card
fraud, their use is ill-advised.
Travellers
cheques
Travellers cheques are generally not recommended.
