Nigeria

Do

Nollywood is a huge film industry based in Nigeria. By the early 2010s, Nigeria was producing more films than any country other than India, and the value of production was third after the U.S. and India. Nollywood films are enjoyed around the world. With diverse cultures in Nigeria, the Nigerian film industry isn't language biased: movies are shot in English, Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Edo, and 300 other Nigerian languages. There are cinemas in most cities and large towns where you can experience this important side of Nigerian culture.

Eat

thumb|Afang soup

There are many types of traditional cuisine to enjoy. For example: afang soup, okra soup, owo soup and starch in the Niger Delta, plantain (fried, boiled, roasted), pepper soup, amala, eba, efo, pounded yam (iyan - Yoruba for "pounded yam", pronounced " ee-yarn" ), jollof rice, ground nut soup, ogbono soup, isi ewu (goat's head stew), egusi soup, suya (kebab), moin moin, ewedu, gbegiri soup (beans soup), edikangikong, ground-rice, puff-puff, chin chin, ikokore, owerri soup (ofe owerri), which is the most expensive African soup in Nigeria. Not to forget 404 pepper soup - it will make you act like "Oliver Twist." You must realise that 404 means "dog meat." And yes, it can only be found in certain parts of the country because in the west it is seen as barbaric.

For the less adventurous traveller, there are loads of "foreign" restaurants in Lagos, e.g. Sky Bar and the grill at Eco Hotel, Churasco's, Lagoon and Fusion all three next to each other (all-you-can-eat Brazilian grill, Indian and Sushi respectively) with a nice view of the lagoon, Piccolo Mondo, Manuella's Residence (great Italian Pizza from Manuella the Italian lady), Bungalow (close to Coschari's BMW in VI) - good sports bar, grill and Sushi, great Sunday buffet at Radisson Blu. Chocolate Royal is a nice family restaurant with excellent ice cream selection (including ice cream cakes) and pastries in VI. Inside Chocolate Royal is an Oriental restaurant called Métisse. Bottles in VI is a grill and Mex…

Drink

Nigeria is one of the places where Guinness is brewed outside of Ireland. And they do it pretty well, although it's not the same product. The Guinness brand (with logo and copyrights where they should be) is also used to brew both an alcohol-free malt version of the black stuff, and an extra strong (about 7.5%) version of Guinness in Kenya (in the case of the latter) and Tanzania (in the case of the former). Beer is a big business in Nigeria, although the move toward evangelism and Islamic law is making its mark. Lagos is relatively unaffected due to its cosmopolitan nature. Heineken, Star, Harp, Gulder and other international beers are available. Malt beverages (non alcoholic) are very common in Nigeria. The other cheap drink of choice is gin, which is locally made. It may contain toxic methanol due to lack of quality control, so steer clear.

Other drinks to consider include: palm wine, wine, zobo (red soft drink, is a tea of dried roselle flowers), kunun, kai kai (also called ogogoro).

The northern states have implemented Sharia (Islamic) law, which means that alcohol is prohibited. Ironically, the only places where you can drink a beer in these states are the police staff bars and the army barracks, because these are institutions under federal law. Beer is available in Kano, in restaurants managed by foreign or Christian people, Chinese restaurants, and/or French cafes.

For a real night out, go to the Sabongari area of the old town. Plenty of bars around that stay open …

Sleep

Almost all hotels in Nigeria require you to pay before you get your key. This applies even to the Sheraton and the Hilton. Typically you are requested to pay 125% of the room rate and you will be refunded when settling the bill at your departure. If you stay more than one night you need to keep the credit up. However, paying this deposit by credit card can leave you open to subsequent fraudulent use of your details.

Stay safe

Nigerian crime levels are fairly high, particularly in Lagos. The far north eastern regions of Nigeria are troubled by the Boko Haram jihadist group which is known for its attacks on non-Muslims and taking the law into their own hands. This Islamist group is also known for its harsh interpretation of sharia law, which includes flogging. Boko Haram attacks Christians and proselytizers, so avoid travelling to the north east in large groups. The US State Department and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise against travel to this area, while Global Affairs Canada recommends against non-essential travel to Nigeria (other than Abuja, Calabar and Lagos) because of the risks of terrorism, and recommends practising special health precautions because of the risk of contracting malaria.

The Niger Delta area is unsafe for tourists. There is continual low-level violence between government and militant groups, and there have been several kidnappings of foreign oil workers.

Stay healthy

Travellers to Nigeria are required to vaccinate themselves against yellow fever, preferably 10 days before arrival in Nigeria. As malaria is prevalent, malaria pills and mosquito nets are also recommended. Polio vaccination in Nigeria is intermittent and there is a high rate of infection in the North.

Water is sold in different sizes (sachet and bottle). The bottled water and other soft drinks are safe. It is approx ₦200 for a small bottle and ₦400 for a big bottle (June 2024). The satchet/pure water is sold at ₦30 per one and ₦50 for two. The cheap "pure water" sold in plastic bags is cheaper but not as "pure" as Eva water, a brand by Coca Cola Company, or Nestle water by Nestle Nigeria. Do not buy water that does not have NAFDAC registration printed on the bottle. It is advisable to purchase bottled water from convenience stores rather than by the roadside. These upscale convenience stores usually purchase their supplies directly from the suppliers.

For the latest traveller's health information pertaining to Nigeria, including advisories and recommendations, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Nigeria destination website.

Respect

Respect for elders is a part of Nigerian culture. If someone in a position of authority (policeman, teacher, someone older than you, and the like) tells you to do something, respect them and do it. There's absolutely nothing wrong with disagreeing with someone older than you so long as you do it respectfully and tactfully.

Some of the country's languages have different ways for someone to address someone older than themselves. Handing things over to people, especially adults and people older than you, with your left hand is considered an insult.

You don't cross or jump over someone's legs if they are sitting with the legs extended out. It's considered bad luck.

Avoid shaking hands with elders and older people in non-Igbo villages. It's disrespectful to do that. Bowing down a little and kneeling or genuflecting for women or prostrating by men (especially among the Yoruba) is the normal thing to do. You may not need to do it either, but just show some form of respect when greeting older people. You can get away with not doing that in big cities or urban areas; they are less traditional there.

When entering a house in the predominantly Muslim north, you have to let them know in advance that you are visiting so that the women can prepare (cover themselves up). Some Islamic customs require women to cover their hair and bodies to other men and this is practised in the North. Knock on the door and wait to be answered before going in. They will ask you to wait while the women ar…