Nigeria Sightseeing Places

By | July 5, 2020

Visa requirements

Passport: is generally required for travel to Nigeria, the passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the stay in Nigeria.

Visa: is a Generally required

Transit: Transit travelers who fly to the next connection within 24 hours, do not leave the transit area and can present valid travel documents for the destination country do not need a transit visa. However, U.S. nationals require a transit visa.

Application: online at https://portal.immigration.gov.ng/visa/newvisa

With the documents received in the course of the online application, first-time applicants present themselves personally in the consular section of the Nigerian embassy (see Nigeria – important addresses). Only applicants for tourist visas who have received a visa for Nigeria in the past (this can be proven by a copy of the previous passport + visa or by an original visa in the current passport) can submit their visa application through a visa agency. Business visas, temporary work permits and long-term work visas in Nigeria (STR visas) must always be applied for personally by the applicant.

Documents:

Tourist visa: a completed visa application – passport that is still valid for at least 6 months and with at least two opposite free pages – two identical, biometric passport photos – printout from the online process “Payment Receipt” – printout “Acknowledgment Slip” – invitation from Nigeria (with address, Telephone number and signature) – copy of the passport of the host – fee (in cash) – valid yellow fever vaccination certificate – booking confirmation for round-trip or onward travel ticket – proof of sufficient funds (at least 2,500 euros).

Business visa: three instead of two identical, biometric passport photos – additionally an invitation from a company in Nigeria, in which the purpose of the trip is described in detail and the responsibility for the applicant in connection with his stay in Nigeria is assumed – a company letter in English in which the German company assumes all costs associated with the trip.

These formalities only cover pure consultations and meetings in Nigeria. If practical work is to be carried out by the visa applicant in Nigeria, a temporary work permit (TWP) or a long-term work visa (STR) must also be applied for

Cost of issuing a Visa: tourist visa, single entry EUR 60.00

Business visa, single entry: 75.00 euros

multiple entry, 6 months: additional 100.00 euros

multiple entry 12 months: additional 150.00 euros

Processing time: about 7 days.

Nigerian visas can after arriving in Nigeria in Nigeria Immigration Service extended are.

Entry with children:
German: German children’s ID with photo or own passport (children’s passport or electronic passport). The Nigeria Immigration Service recommends that children have their own passport regardless of their age.
Austrians: own passport for children.
Swiss: own passport for children

The same visa requirements apply to children as to their parents. All children with their own passports require visas or re-entry permits.

Nigeria Sightseeing Places

Money

National currency: 1 Naira is divided into 100 Kobo.

Currency abbreviation: N, NGN – ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG

There are banknotes worth 1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20 10 and 5 N. Coins are no longer used.

The Naira can be used as a currency in West Africa, at least in the immediate neighboring countries of Nigeria, without any major problems.

Currency exchange: It is advisable to take US dollars with you in cash. Most banks do not offer money exchange, very rarely there are official exchange offices. You can try exchanging money in better hotels. Otherwise only money exchange remains on the street, always keep your eyes open here!

Exchange rate for Nigerian Naira:

Currency converter at OANDA

Credit Cards: are almost never accepted. Generally, the use of credit cards is not recommended due to frequent fraud.

Travelers checks: are practically useless in Nigeria.

ATMs: currently none that work, but it is likely that there will be ATMs nationwide in the future.

Foreign exchange regulations: The import and export of local currency and foreign currencies is subject to declaration from an amount equivalent to US $ 5,000.

Bank opening times: Mon – Thu 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Fri 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Health and Diseases

The health service of the Foreign Ministry recommends as sensible vaccinations: protection against tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A, for long-term stay over three months also hepatitis B. With special exposure (stay in the country, hunting, jogging etc.) vaccination against rabies and typhoid, possibly meningococcal meningitis ACWY can be very useful. These and other decisions are reserved for a personal consultation with the tropical doctor or the vaccinator with tropical and travel medicine experience.

Experience has shown that a valid yellow fever vaccination and cholera vaccination as well as vaccination against meningitis (CSM) upon entry from African countries are often required upon entry.

HIV / AIDS is a major problem and danger in the country for everyone who runs the risk of infection: Sexual contact, dirty syringes or cannulas and blood transfusions can pose a life-threatening risk.

Various prescription drugs (e.g. malarone, doxycycline, Lariam) are available on the market for malaria prophylaxis. The selection and personal adjustment as well as side effects or intolerance to other medications should be discussed with a tropical or travel doctor before taking chemoprophylaxis.

Medical care in Nigeria cannot be compared to European conditions. Especially outside the big Nigerian cities, hygiene, technology and medical devices are of a low standard. There are often no adequately trained or English or French speaking doctors. For travel in Nigeria, health insurance coverage that is valid in Nigeria, reliable travel return insurance and a well-equipped first-aid kit are strongly recommended.

Bilharzia germs can occur in some ponds and rivers, swimming and paddling in fresh water should be avoided. Well maintained swimming pools with chlorinated water are harmless.

Epidemic outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis can occur. To protect yourself, get vaccinated and avoid large crowds.

Rabies occurs. Carriers include dogs, cats, forest animals and bats. Vaccination is recommended for backpackers, children, professional risk groups and for longer stays. Get medical attention as soon as possible in the event of bite wounds.

Avian flu With the detection of influenza A (H5N1) in a poultry farm in a village in the state of Kaduna in early February 2006, the causative agent of avian influenza first appeared in an African country. At the end of January 2007, the death of the bird flu virus H5N1 was confirmed for the first time in Lagos. Travelers should therefore keep away from poultry and avoid any contact with live and dead animals. Raw poultry dishes and eggs should not be consumed. When cooked well, poultry dishes and eggs can be enjoyed without hesitation. Generally, as a precautionary measure, a thorough cleaning of the hands with water and soap or alcoholic hand disinfectant solutions.

Health certificate for work staysnot necessary for travelers from Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Nationwide there is an increased risk of infection for various infectious diseases (e.g. hepatitis A, typhoid, Bacterial dysentery, amoebic dysentery, lambliasis, worm diseases), which are transmitted through contaminated food or beverages. Therefore, careful food and drinking water hygiene measures should always be carried out. In general, water should either be boiled or otherwise sterilized prior to use for drinking, brushing teeth, and making ice cubes. Milk is not pasteurized outside of urban areas and should also be boiled. Avoid dairy products from uncooked milk. Meat and fish dishes should only be cooked well and served hot. Avoid eating pork, raw salads and mayonnaise. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

In addition to my general disclaimer, please note the following important note:

A guarantee for the correctness and completeness of the medical information as well as a liability for possible damage cannot be assumed. You stay responsible for your healthy.

Transportation and travel options for stays in Nigeria

Airplane: Virgin Nigeria connects Lagos with most cities in Nigeria. Other companies are Bellview or Sosoliso. Charter planes can be booked in Lagos with Aero Contractors and Pan-African Airlines. Domestic flights should be booked in advance if possible, long delays must always be expected.

Ship: Ferries operate on the south coast and on the Niger and Benue rivers.

Rail: Passenger traffic does not exist defacto. The previous main routes were Lagos – Kano and Port Harcourt – Maiduguri.

Cars: A very good road network connects all of Nigeria’s cities. In some regions, roads can be closed to traffic during the rainy season. The biggest problem with most traffic victims is the driving style in Nigeria, wrong-way drivers can be expected on motorways. If it can be avoided, do not drive at night. There are gas stations everywhere, but it can always happen that there is no diesel. Buses, minibuses and bush taxis are the main means of transportation in Nigeria and travel between all cities, the minibuses also go to remote areas. Rental cars are best available in Lagos and Abula. Rental cars with a driver are recommended. Documents:International driver’s license and 2 passport photos. Seatbelt duty.

City traffic: The public transport system in Lagos is chaotic, the city suffers from chronic traffic jams. In Lagos there is a state bus network and thousands of private minibuses. For the yellow taxis in Lagos you should definitely negotiate the fare before you start the journey, change is practically never available…. Furthermore, moped taxis (okada) drive. A ferry commutes to the island of Lagos.

Nigeria Landmarks

Places to visit in Nigeria

Messy and crowded – Lagos is not a tourist city and will never develop into one. The island of Lagos is located in the city center and is connected to the mainland by two bridges. The islands of Ikoyi and Victoria are also connected to the island of Lagos. In the National Museum in Onikan on the island of Lagos you can see everyday objects from ancient Nigerian civilizations. The Jankara market offers printed cotton and hand-woven fabrics, spices and leather items. Ibadan is known for the university and the market, which is one of the largest in Nigeria. From Ibadan you can easily visit the old cities of the Western State.
There are some well-preserved Portuguese colonial buildings in the former capital of the Yorouba kingdom of Oyo.
The well-known Oshogbo Art School was founded in Oshogbo. The Oshun shrines and the Oshun grove of the Yoruba goddess of fertility are also located here.
The city ​​of Ife is the cradle of Yoruba culture. Bronze and terracotta sculptures from the 13th century are shown in the museum.
The seven Olumirin waterfalls are best reached from Akure.

Benin Cityis a modern, fast growing city. The National Museum with its exhibition of royal art is worthwhile. To visit Oba’s Palace you should apply for a permit in Lagos.
Many villages in the Cross River State are known for handicrafts and magical rituals, but are often only accessible by canoe or on foot. Sapoba, Abaraka, Warri and Auchi, on the other hand, can be reached by road.
Ikom lies on the transit route to Cameroon, whose monoliths attract numerous visitors.

Port Harcourt has long been a major port and has recently been the center of the oil industry.

The northern administrative capital of Kaduna was built by the British. The old, walled city of Zaria in the north retains much of its old character. The impressive Sallah festivals take place in Katsina.

The Arungu Fishing Festival in the northwestern state of Kebbi is worth a visit. This festival usually takes place in March / April. On the last day of the festival, thousands of participants at the Argungu river are waiting for the starting signal to catch the biggest fish within an hour (sometimes with their bare hands).

A comparable festival can be found in the state of Tabara in eastern Nigeria. The annual Nwonyo Fishing Festival has its origins in 1826. Here there are boat and canoe races as well as competitions in diving, swimming and traditional dancing. The main event is fishing with a price for the heaviest fish. This competition takes place in Lake Nwonyo

The walled old town of Kano exudes a medieval atmosphere. Richly embroidered Fulani horse blankets and festive decorations can be bought at the Kurmi market. The dye pits (Kofar Mata) are among the oldest in Africa. The Great Mosque and the Emir’s Palace are also interesting.

In Daura, in the very north of Nigeria, there is an Emirates Palace worth seeing. In Hausa mythology, Bayajidda reached Daura after crossing the Sahara. Here he freed the residents from a snake that blocked access to the well, married the Queen Magajiya Daurama. Her descendants are said to have founded traditional home marriages.

At the end of Ramadan, Durbar festivals are held every year in Nigeria’s traditional emirates. The highlight is the parade of the Emir and his entourage on horseback. Durbar festivals that are particularly worth seeing take place in the cities of Kano, Zaria, Bitsa and Katsina.

The pleasant climate of Jos (on a plateau, around 1,200 m altitude) makes this city a pleasant holiday destination. The museum has a collection of ceramic items that have been collected across the country. The architecture museum shows a collection of full-size replicas of the different Nigerian construction methods. The small zoo is also somewhat interesting.

The Sallah Festival is celebrated in Maiduguri three months after the Eid al-Fitr. The Borno riders show themselves in all their glory at this festival. During a stroll through the city you can see the palace, the zoo and the museums.

The Farin Ruwa waterfall can be found in the state of Nasarawa in central Nigeria. in the house language Farin Ruwa means “white water”. The river source is on the Josplateau. At the edge of the plateau, the water falls approx. 150 m deep (the Victoria Falls have a height of “only” 108 m). However, the waterfall is not accessible for tourists, you need an all-terrain vehicle to get there.

Large animals can also be observed in Nigeria, but the conditions are not comparable to those in South or East Africa. A national park rich in wildlife for Nigeria is the Yankari National Park with the Wiki Warm Springs near Bauchi (approx. 120 km away). The landscape of the national park is characterized by dry savannah and the Gaji River.

Lake Kainji National Park to the west, together with Yankari National Park, is one of the Nigerian parks that are open to tourists, but Lake Kainji National Park is much less attractive because there are hardly any animals to be seen here. The main camp, Oli River Tourist Camp, is said to be in poor condition.

The flat surroundings of Lake Chad are flooded during and after the rainy season. This region is a paradise for ornithologists due to the diversity of birds. Hikers get their money’s worth in the mountain landscape around Biu.

Abuja, the new federal capital of Nigeria since 1991, is not yet equipped for tourism and will not be in the foreseeable future.

Gurara Falls are about 80 kilometers northwest of Abuja (travel time between 1.5 and 2 hours) on the way to Minna. The waterfall is about 200 m wide and about 30 m high. In the rainy season the water masses are impressive, in the dry season the water flows much more calmly.

On the way from Abuja to the Guarafalls you can see the Zuma Rock at Suleja. The mountain is the subject of many local myths and stories, and permission from the local chief is required to climb.