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Tourism in Nigeria

Background

A map of present day Nigeria

Land and Climate

There are a few different tropical climate zones within Nigeria. The seasons are categorized as rainy or dry. The rainy season in the south is long and ranges from March to November. In the north, which is closer to the desert, has a rainy season from July to September. During the dry season in between those months, the Harmattan wind blows sand and dust from the Sahara into the region. Nights can be a bit cold in December and January. Refer to the chart for average temperatures in Nigeria.

Land Valleys, such a the Niger River Valley dominate most of the land in Nigeria. Another prominent land feature in the Niger Delta to the south. This delta is one of the world’s largest arcuate fan-shaped river deltas. Around the delta there is extensive swamp land. Towards the north there is more rugged highlands and plateaus.

A Brief History

There is evidence that man has been living in this region since the Stone Age. People in the early days of time were probably nomadic or sought land near rivers or larger bodies of water. These settlements are the ancient ancestors of many of the ethnic tribes still present today. Early on these tribes had a sophisticated system of rulers. These kingdoms were in place when Spaniards came to Africa in the 15th Century. The British came to Nigeria in the early 19th Century. They had colonized surrounding regions but were slow to colonize this region due to the internal structure already in place. Something odd about European presence in Nigeria is that the British were actually trying to stop the domestic slave trade between tribes. The British found that Palm Oil from the delta region was much more valuable and worth their time and effort. The British involvement led to high tensions among Nigerian nationalists and a series of wars and uprisings began. After years of contention and conquest the British assumen rule of Nigeria on January 1, 1914. There rule was limited because they felt the need to preserve some local customs. However, the English language and Christianity were spread throughout the region which is why this influence is so prevalent today. WWII began in the 1920s, and Nigeria helped the British fight against German land in Africa. With the start of the war also came the weakening of British rule in Nigeria. Their power lessen more and more due to Nigerian political campaigns encouraging the natives to take back rule of their land. To ease the mind of the Nigerians, a new parliamentary system was put into place. This did not work and finally Nigeria gained independence on October 1, 1960. The first few years of independence were hard on the nation. Tensions rose up concerning ethnic regions that were being created. Starting in 1962, the first regional government collapses and in the following years other governments began to collapse as well. In July 1967 a Civil War broke out after the Prime Minister and two of his assistants were assassinated. Fighting continued for two years and devastated the population. Every leader that tried to step forward was eventually assassinated until Lieut. Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, became head of the government. He called for a new constitution, in which they would replace the British parliamentary system with a presidential one. Despite efforts political tension is still high today. Most elections since the 1970s have led to conflict and violence.

Source: https://www.britannica.com/place/Nigeria/History#ref55309

PEOPLE

Population

The population of Nigeria is 190,632,261. Nigeria is the most populated nation in Africa.

Government

The Nigerian Government is a Federal Presidential Republic made up of 36 states. Since May 29, 2015 Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari has served as President. He and the Vice President Oluyemi "Yemi"Osinbajo make up the country’s executive branch. President is elected by majority popular vote and is elected for a four year term. The government also consists of and Legislative branch, with a House of Representatives and a Senate, and Judicial branch led by a Supreme Court. They follow a mixed legal system consisting of English common law, Islamic law and traditional law. Due to the rich cultural and ethnic diversity in Nigeria political tension and uprising are still a common occurrence.

You become a Nigerian citizen by descent not birth, meaning at least one of your parents must be a Nigerian citizen for you to qualify.

Economy

Nigeria has the second largest economy in Africa mainly due to it being the largest oil producer. Tourism is fragile in the country and thus doesn’t improve the economy much

Language

There are over 520 languages spoken throughout the country but the official language is English. The main ethnic languages include Hausa, widely spoken in the north, Yoruba widely spoken in the West and Ibo widely spoken in the East.

Religion

Religious practices are regionally based. Islam is practiced by 50% of the population and Muslims can be found mostly in the Northern regions of Nigeria. 40% of the population practices a form of Christianity and they tend to live in the south. The remaining 10% of the population practice a set of indigenous beliefs specific to their tribe.

Food and Diet

The diet in Nigeria varies greatly from region to region. Foods differ between ethnic group and are highly dependent on the agricultural production of the region. Meals normally consist of a large portion of carbs such a s rice, corn or yams, accompanied with a stew or soup of vegetables. Most foods are spicy. Tea refers to any type of hot beverage and it is usually served with sweet bread or cakes. Beer, gin,and malt beverages are common. Alcohol is not available in the North due to Islamic Law.

Customs and Courtesies

There are a number of customs and courtesies practiced throughout Nigeria. At markets, you are expected to haggle for your goods. The real price is usually about half the price that was first asked. If the seller thinks you are a rich tourist they may exaggerate the price. One important exception is bread, for which is the price is fixed. Once you have agree on a price, it would be extremely rude to walk away without buying. If you are concerned about haggling you can avoid the exaggerated price by shopping in the market with a local. Avoid using your left hand to pass or receive anything such a food or money, this hand is preserved for personal hygiene. The normal amount for a tip is 10%.

The Nigerian people tend to me more emotional than other cultures. This is true whether they be happy, sad, or angry. You may think people are being loud or argumentative but they are really just having a conversation. Nigerians also seem more aggressive physically, and you may feel like your personal space is being invaded. They may get in your face when talking to you but they mean no harm in this.

Nigerians are also more relaxed about physical touch. Handshakes, which are an appropriate initial greeting, can be prolonged past the initial greeting. Greet in order of Seniority. Nodding your head and saying a greeting is appropriate in all social situations, even if you are just walking down the street and pass someone. Out of respect do not make eye contact with elders for too long. Touching especially between genders is not common in the northern muslim regions.

Clothing trends

In the south you will see more western clothing. Nigeria does also have a rich heritage of traditional dress, which is worn in more casual contexts. Women will often be seen wearing long flowing robes and headscarves in bright colors.

The most popular style of traditional dress is called “Buba”. For men this entails a long, loose-fitting shirt which comes down to halfway down the thigh, and for women a loose-fitting blouse that comes down to just below the waist. Men can also be seen wearing a traditional cap, known as a “fila”.

For tourists it is appropriate to dress casually. Women should wear longer shorts and shirts that cover their shoulders. It would also be wise to bring a scarf in case there are areas you wish to visit that require you to cover your head. This is especially true if you are travelling to Muslim regions of the country. Men should wear long pants.

Holidays

Holidays differ in practice depending on the part of the country you are in. For example, Islamic states will not practice Christian holidays. A list of holidays can be found below. It is important to know that social activities are a main part of life in Nigeria. People will gather and have large celebrations for many of life’s achievements such as births and weddings.

TOURISM

Visa and Entry Requirements

When travelling into Nigeria, visitors must have a Visa, a passport, and a return ticket. The Visa must be valid for up to 6 months after period of intended stay. Travelers are also required to get a vaccination for yellow fever.

Currency and Conversion

The currency used in Nigeria is called the Naira. The Naira has both banknotes and coins. The current exchange rate is $1 = 360N. Inflation is high and the money is worthless outside of Nigeria. It is smart to exchange your money back to your home currency before you leave the county or you may not find a bank that will take it. Credit or Debit cards are accepted in some places but risky to use. For your protection some hotels will only accept American dollars in cash

Key Niche Markets

Religious tourism/ pilgrimages are common in Nigeria. There are a number of sacred lands and temples for many religions found in the country.

Medical Tourism, those travelling to seek medical assistance, is on the rise in Nigeria. This is mostly a domestic market as of now but many medical professionals are seeking ways to bring aid to Nigeria and surround countries. There is a change more travellers from other countries will start coming soon for this reason.

Levels of Development

The level of infrastructure will vary depending on your location in the country. The larger cities will be more developed and the rural towns will most likely offer very limited facilities and resources. Chain hotels are available in the city and most will require that you pay in advance. Beware of giving out too much information to hotels, including credit card information. It is always safest to pay with cash.

Another good options for accommodation is Airbnb. Airbnbs will be available but mainly in large cities as well. Most will be very modern and comfortable and cheap. There are also number of family friendly resorts. For example the Obudu Ranch Resort which has swimming pools golf, horseback riding. While it may be a resort the amenities are limited and the rooms are vary basic.

Transportation

Nigeria has one the better developed transportation systems in Africa. There are four international airports in Nigeria, which are located in Abuja, Kano, Lagos and Port Harcourt. There are also smaller domestic airports. The flights in and out of the country are limited. Buses are also available and will go to most parts of Nigeria. Smaller towns are more likely to have taxis. The best way to travel is in a car, whether you rent one yourself or hire a driver. Road conditions are are good and gas is cheap. They drive on the right side of the road in Nigeria.

Attractions

Many tourist friendly places are national parks, nature preserves, or specific tourist complexes located in cities or villages. This is to allow for more safety and security.

Must See Places

Nike Art Centre Erin Ijesha Waterfall Lekki Conservation Park Abuja National Mosque Osun- Osogbo Sacred Grove

Secondary Attractions

Secondary attractions are a bit harder to stumble upon in Nigeria since many things are far away from one another and there is also a lack of infrastructure in many areas. Most attractions you will come across will be churches, both mosques and cathedrals. These churches may range from the simple to the highly ornate depending on the region. There may also be local museums or statues dedicated to important events or people from history.

Weather or Climate Concerns

There are very few concerns related to weather or climate that affect the tourist. Pay attention to the time of year you are traveling in to know if it will be rainy or dry and dusty. It is not uncommon to see flooding during heavy rain storms but nothing that would be of hazard. Periods of drought do occur from time to time in certain regions which would limit resources such as food and water.

Safety Concerns

Safety is a huge concern for tourists, especially for westerners. There are definitely areas to avoid. Avoid the Niger Delta area because there are serious problems between government and militant groups. The Northern region can also be dangerous due to ethnic and religious tensions. Crime is high in Lagos but Abuja, the capital, is fairly safe because most of the country’s politicians live there so there is a higher security presence. The US Embassy will release travel warnings when they are in place. Visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Nigeria.html for updated information. Also be aware that homosexuality is illegal so be careful when travelling with a partner.

Most importantly do not travel alone. People that travel in groups will tend to be safer. It is smart to carry cash to give to people who may give you a hard time. Traveling at night can be dangerous for anyone, especially on the road, because people will rob.

Be careful with where you get water for drinking and sanitation.. Never drink anything from a bag and be weary in eating in smaller places as they don’t have proper sanitation for cleaning dishes.

Environmental Concerns

Due to deforestation air pollution is a problem especially in the crowded cities. Due to a tropical climate diseases such as Yellow Fever and Malaria are common. It is advised that Chloroquine Phosphate be taken once a week starting two weeks before departure, continued throughout the stay here until two weeks after returning. In recent years the Ebola Virus has also been a huge risk in many African countries. Consult your physician for more details

Socio-cultural Concern

Due to the extensive diversity you will need be aware of local customs in each area. Pay attention if you are in a Muslim or Christian region because that will need to change your behavior radically.

Emergency Contacts

The US Embassy in located in the capital city of Abuja. The address is Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive Central District Area, Abuja, Nigeria. The phone number is (234)-9-461-4000. If you need emergency services dial 112.