Nigeria
Capital:
Abuja
Official Language: English
Religions:
50% Muslim, 40% Christian and 10% Traditional Beliefs
Currency:
Naira = 100 kobo
Placements:
Education, Research and Conservation Centre
Map
Background
The very thing that makes Nigeria so ornery and
difficult to unite into a single peaceful republic is also its attraction. There
are over 250 different peoples, languages, histories, and religions all rubbing
shoulder to shoulder in this hectic, colourful and often volatile republic.
Special Events
Major events.
Climate
While Nigeria is literally bigger than Texas, wherever you are you're
guaranteed a hot day between 29 to 36°C (85-98°F). In the north the wet season
lasts from May til October, while on the coast and inland there are a couple of
wet seasons: a long one from around March to July and a brief reprise during
September and October.
Travel Info
Lagos International airport (Murtala Mohammed) is 22km (13mi) from Lagos.
Taxis to the city are also available. International carriers fly in and out of
Lagos but due to regular fuel shortages, scheduled flights may sometimes be
cancelled. The departure tax for international flights is 35.00.
There may be passenger speedboats from Oron, south of Calabar, to Idenao, a
small place 50km (31mi) northwest of Limbe (Cameroon), but these are often
suspended due to clashes on the Bakassi Peninsula. Check the security situation
before making any plans, and avoid the temptation to take one of the frequent
cargo boats - these are almost all smugglers' vessels. Share taxis can take you
by road to Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger. Most border crossings involve
dash handed over to customs officials in a pleasant manner.
Visas
All visitors are required to have a visa except for
citizens of countries belonging to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Safety
Terrorism
You should be aware of the threat from
terrorism in Nigeria. A statement issued by Usama Bin Laden in February
2003 called for an uprising by Muslims in a number of countries, including
Nigeria. He suggested that "faithful Muslims" rise up against the Nigerian
Government. He also referred to “support for brothers” in Nigeria in
December 2004.
You should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate
terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places
frequented by foreigners.
Crime
Armed militants took
four oil workers, including a British national, hostage off the Bayelsa Coast on
11 January 2006. The hostages were released on 30 January 2006. A
further group of nine expatriates, again including a British national, were
taken hostage 5 – 7 km offshore from Delta State on 18 February. Six of
these were released on 1 March 2006 and the remaining three were released on 27
March 2006. Militants have also carried out attacks on oil and gas
facilities in the Delta in recent weeks, including a car bomb attack on an army
barracks in Port Harcourt on 20 April 2006, during which they have killed
members of the Nigerian security forces. A group claiming responsibility
for these attacks and hostage-taking has threatened further attacks and made
specific threats against expatriates in the Niger Delta.
We advise against all travel to the riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa and
River States. We advise against all but essential travel to the rest of
these States. If you consider that your travel to the non-riverine areas
is essential, you should be vigilant at all times, seek local advice before
travelling and make sure that your local host and family know your travel plans
and timings. If you are a resident British national, you should follow
your employer’s local security guidelines.
There have been attacks of piracy/armed robbery against ships at anchor in
Nigerian waters and at many of the rivers and harbours in the Niger Delta
area. We advise mariners to take appropriate precautions.
Violent street crimes including armed robberies, muggings and car-jackings
are especially prevalent in the south of the country including Lagos.
Foreign visitors and residents can be targeted by scam artists. The
scams come in many forms, and can pose great financial loss to victims.
Relatives or friends in the UK should first check with the person who has
travelled to Nigeria before becoming involved in the transfer of money to
Nigeria. If you are concerned about someone who has travelled to Nigeria
you should contact Consular Section of the Deputy High Commission, Lagos.
Scam artists are also targeting individuals in the UK. There are a
myriad of schemes in operation by West African criminal networks designed to
facilitate victims parting with money, known as advance fee or 419 fraud.
Nigerian scam artists are also known to be targeting internet dating/personal
sites with the intention of soliciting money from victims.
Political Situation
Demonstrations and outbreaks of
localised civil unrest and violence can occur with little notice throughout the
country. The most recent incidents have occurred in the Niger Delta
(Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta and Anambra), North (Sokoto, Kano, Borno and Katsina)
and Central Nigeria (Taraba, Plateau, Adamawa and Benue states), South West (Oyo
and Lagos) and the Cross-Rivers and Ebonyi border. Details of these are
circulated to the British community via the British High Commission's Community
Liaison Officers' network.
Demonstrations for or against Sharia law may
occur in northern states and can become violent without warning. There
have also been demonstrations about the situation in the Middle East.
British nationals are not specifically targeted. However, they and their
vehicles may become caught up in a demonstration or disturbance.
Local
Travel
We advise against all travel to the Bakassi Peninsula and to
the riverine area of Bayelsa State and all but essential travel to the rest of
Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States (see Crime section). Visitors with
essential business in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States should seek advice
locally before travelling. Resident British nationals should follow their
employer’s local security guidelines.
Because of a long running territorial dispute between Nigeria and Cameroon,
we advise against all travel to the Bakassi Peninsula in the southern border
area. Despite efforts to resolve matters peacefully, tension in the area
remains high.
Road Safety
You should arrange to be met on
arrival at all Nigerian international airports by someone who knows you or who
properly identifies himself (bogus greeters are a problem).
There are
frequent reports of robberies and carjackings, some involving armed gunmen, on
Nigeria's road network. You should be vigilant when travelling on all
major roads within Nigeria. You should avoid travel after dark outside
cities. You should also take care after dark within cities, avoiding
secondary roads and areas where other traffic is light. You should be
particularly vigilant when sitting in traffic jams or at traffic lights at
night. You should keep your car windows and doors locked and valuables out
of sight.
There are authorised as well as unauthorised vehicle
checkpoints throughout Nigeria. Some are for security checks, others to
extort small payments of money. You should slow down at any type of
checkpoint and use common sense at all times.
Public transport is
dangerous. Taxis and long distance buses are poorly maintained and are
often driven by fraudulent drivers. Most major hotels offer cars for hire
with drivers. We would recommend that you use these where
possible.
Road travel in Lagos is banned between 07:00 and 10:00 on the
last Saturday of every month for municipal road clean up; police vigilantly
enforce the ban.
Air Safety
The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an
operating ban or restrictions within the community.
There are a
number of domestic airlines, although there are concerns about their
reliability. A Boeing 737 operated by Bellview Airlines crashed en route
from Lagos to Abuja on 22 October 2005, killing all 117 passengers and
crew. An MD9 operated by Sosoliso Airlines crashed on landing in Port
Harcourt from Abuja on 10 December 2005, killing almost all 110 passengers and
crew. The causes of the crashes are not yet known.
Following the
crashes, British government staff based in Nigeria are strongly urged to use
Virgin Nigeria and Aerocontractors wherever possible but have discretion to use
other airlines to destinations not served by these 2 airlines where they judge
that the risks of travel by road are at least as great.
LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
Nigeria has the largest Muslim population in Africa. You should
exercise discretion in behaviour and dress, particularly in the north and
especially when visiting religious sites.
The Sharia penal code has been introduced in 12 northern states (Sokoto,
Zamfara, Kebbi, Kano, Yobe, Borno, Katsina, Jigawa, Bauchi, Kaduna, Niger and
Gombe). Homosexuality by Muslims in those states can attract a sentence of
100 lashes if the defendant is unmarried or stoning if married or
divorced. Alcohol consumption, infidelity and theft can attract harsh
sentences including stoning, amputation, lashings or long prison terms.
Non-Muslims are not bound by Sharia law.
Homosexuality is illegal under Federal law, covering the whole of Nigeria,
but individuals are rarely prosecuted.
Possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs is a serious offence and
can result in lengthy prison sentences and heavy fines.
It is illegal to import beer, mineral water, soft drinks, sparkling
wine, fruits, vegetables, cereals, eggs, textile fabrics, jewellery, and
precious metals. It is illegal to export pieces of African art,
particularly antiques, without written authorisation from the Department of
Antiquities. You should contact the Nigerian High Commission for
specific information regarding customs requirements.
Photography in
airports may lead to arrest.
Health
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
On 8 February 2006, the World Organisation for Animal Health confirmed that
H5N1 avian influenza had occurred on a commercial chicken farm at Jaji in Kaduna
State. The disease has now been detected at commercial farms in Kano,
Plateau, Katsina, Bauchi, Nassarawa, Bauchi, and the Federal Capital
Territory (Abuja and surrounds) as well as at other farms in
Kaduna. The authorities are taking measures to contain the disease,
including restricting livestock movement in affected areas. No human
infections have been reported.
The risk from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low, provided you
avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may
come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry
and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.
Basic, limited medical facilities are available in some parts of
Nigeria. You should ensure that you have comprehensive travel and medical
insurance, which covers a provision for medical evacuation. You should
check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you
want to undertake.
You should check with your doctor well in advance of travelling to Nigeria
about necessary inoculations. You should also consult your doctor about
anti-malarial measures. HIV/AIDS is prevalent. The WHO is
warning that there is currently a high risk of polio infection in northern
Nigeria; you should ensure that your immunisation is up to date. There are
regular outbreaks of cholera and measles.
Injections required
Immunisations advised
Diptheria/Tetanus,
Poliomyelitis, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Yellow fever
Immunisations that
maybe required
Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, Rabies, Meningococcal
Malaria Yes
Reciprocal Health Care None
