Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa with the largest city of Lagos being home to over 15 million people. The country has a vibrant palette of over 250 ethnicities spread throughout the land. The country is divided almost evenly between Muslims which mostly inhabit the northern part of the country and Christians to the south. It is also the largest producer and exporter of oil on the continent making it one of the most promising business destinations for foreigners. Nigeria has also the largest economy of all the African nations. Nigerian tourism is continuously growing however along with is grow the risks and hazards of exploring all the incredible attractions the country offers.

Traveling info

Nigeria offers no exemptions from visa to any nationals, therefore all are required to obtain a visa and have a valid passport in order to enter the country. Additional requirements include 2 passport sized photographs, proof of sufficient funds and a letter of invitation from a company or a host in Nigeria accepting immigration responsibility. Certain nationals do not have to pay for the visa whilst others are charged a variety of prices depending on their nationality. (visa fees in sources). Those tourists who decide to drive in Nigeria may do so using their domestic driving license for up to 3 months. An international driving permit may be used for a period of 1 year. During that time tourists may apply for Nigerian driving permit if staying for a period exceeding 1 year.

Traveling hazards

Road conditions in Nigeria are generally poor. Paved roads receive poor maintenance and are especially damaged during the wet season which usually lasts from March to October. In addition during the wet season, many roads are flooded and might require a 4×4 or a car with high clearance to pass through. Potholes and larger holes are difficult to detect during that time as these are usually concealed with water. Many of these are serious enough to cause damage to vehicles. Local drivers also contribute to the driving hazards, aggressive driving is common. Vehicle maintenance is poor which often results in breakdowns on the road. Additionally, vehicles often lack proper illumination making them particularly dangerous during the night. Drivers often run red lights however few of these traffic lights work in an orderly manner. Public transport should be generally avoided as it is considered dangerous. Buses are badly maintained and often overcrowded and driving at excessive speed. It is advised to avoid local taxis known as “Okada”. These are motorbike taxis which often offer lifts however these cause serious danger on the roads due to dangerous driving and crime. (see crime section). Fuel shortages happen from time to time causing a huge line at gas stations. The safest way to move around is to rent a car. Major hotels and customer service centers in airports offer reliable car renting services.

Environmental hazards

Nigeria is a vast country with a diverse landscape and what follows is a diverse flora and fauna. Various species including some of the most famous animals in the world may be found in the country. Although Lions are present in Nigeria these are very few. Ranging from 250 to 1800 species are free in the wild. Seeing this might beast in Nigeria would be a rarity however whilst out in the country it is important to stay vigilant as humans are easy prey for the king of the jungle. The hippopotamus is a semi-aquatic animal which inhabits areas of Nigeria. This giant may look docile but it will attack any intruder. These animals are very territorial. Another dangerous creature dwelling in Nigerian freshwaters is the Nile crocodile. This large reptile is the most notorious of its species for killing humans. Nile crocodiles are territorial however they will also attack humans as prey. These are apex predators and usually, do not fear to approach anything coming close to their hunting spot. Although Gorillas inhabit southern jungle areas of Nigeria these animals are docile however it is worth mentioning that coming close to them might result in an attack from the alpha male of the group. These, however, will first warn the intruders to get away before attacking. It is extremely unlikely to meet these primates unless venturing deep into the jungle. It is worth mentioning to avoid snakes in Nigeria. There are many venomous species of snakes however several are worth mentioning as these are particularly dangerous. The west African carpet viper, the Gaboon viper, the black-necked spitting cobra and the most notorious of all the puff adder. The puff adder is responsible for more deaths in Africa than all of the other snakes taken together, its effective venom kills people within hours. Although antivenom is widely available it is usually not given in time resulting in over 30 thousand deaths across the continent. All the beachgoers and those who choose to take a plunge should beware of the dangers lurking in the water. Stonefish and the lionfish are two venomous marine creatures which can give a nasty sting to anyone willing to touch them. Their sting is extremely painful however their venom is not potent enough to kill. It may kill in a different way, however. Their sting may cause temporary paralysis and leave the person unable to move which is particularly dangerous when alone in water due to the possibility of drowning. Shark attacks are rare however these are still a possibility, to minimize the risk of shark attacks it is advised to swim without any cuts or bleeding injuries and to avoid swimming after dusk as these creatures are most active around that time. Inexperienced swimmers are advised to stay close to the shore as strong currents may carry away even an experienced person far from the shore very quickly. Guarder beaches are recommended over those that lack any rescue services.
Nigeria does not suffer from earthquakes nor does it have any active volcanoes however the country suffers greatly from floods during the wet season which starts in March and lasts through to October. During that time infrastructure of certain parts of the country usually gets badly damaged. During the summer season droughts are a possibility which may, in turn, cause wildfires or deprive the locals of their crops.

Health hazards

There is currently a risk of contracting yellow fever in Nigeria. All those who travel from nations with the risk of yellow fever must provide proof of yellow fever vaccination. Those who are not required to provide such proof are recommended to get vaccinated anyway. There are several other vaccinations which are not required but are strongly recommended. These are the routine vaccines, typhoid, hepatitis A and B, rabies, cholera, meningitis and polio vaccine. There is a possibility of contracting Lassa fever in Nigeria currently. There is no known vaccine against it. To minimize the risk of contracting the disease it is advised to avoid rats and infected people. Those who contract the disease should seek immediate help from physicians. There is also a risk of contracting malaria through mosquito bites. There is no approved vaccine for it. There is however medicine on prescription against it. Alternative ways to protect against contracting the disease is to use mosquito repellents. Healthcare in Nigeria is developing, however, the country has the largest human resources out all of the remaining African nations. This, however, is not enough to deliver services to the entire population of the country. The public system lacks coordination and services are not always properly delivered. Waiting times for services are usually very long. Private sector delivers much better services however these will come at an expense. Private clinics and hospital are only located around major cities. It is advised to purchase medical insurance that will cover private services to avoid poor quality service and long waiting times. Nigerian hospitals will generally be able to deal with most emergencies meaning that medical evacuation is unnecessary.
In case of an emergency dial 112.

Crime

The crime rate in Nigeria is relatively high. Tourists in the country are particularly targeted for economic gain. Kidnappings and armed robbery is a serious concern in the country. Petty crime such as theft is also common. There are occasional street clashes between local gangs known as the “area boys”. These particularly operate in Lagos. Home invasions remain a serious threat. Budget resorts will receive more of these criminal assaults than the more expensive resorts with security. Carjacking is also common therefore whilst driving it is important to keep all windows rolled up and doors locked. Valuables and bags inside the car should be kept out of visibility under seats etc. Public transport should be avoided due to crime such as theft or pickpocketing. Particularly the “Okada” motorbike taxis should be avoided as many fares have led to kidnappings or money extortions. Passengers are usually taken through a secluded area where traps are prepared. Using ATMs and credit cards is discouraged as thieves are awaiting potential victims. People are usually watched and tracked down until an occasion for robbery arises. Traveling to the far north of the country is discouraged as Boko Haram operates in these areas. This Muslim terrorist group is notorious for kidnapping and murder. Solo female travelers should stay vigilant particularly if traveling through the northern part of the country where Boko Haram operates. Drug laws in Nigeria state that possession of any kind and amount is illegal and usually results in jail time for both expats and locals.

Summary

Nigeria offers more business opportunity than tourist attractions however nonetheless it remains in the top 10 most visited nations in Africa. The nations offer a variety of attractions as well as vibrant cultures to be explored by the visitors. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
https://portal.immigration.gov.ng/pages/visaguidelines
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/nigeria
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2018/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/yellow-fever#5291
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/watch/lassa-fever-nigeria