General Security Information
Terrorism/Security
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.

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 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 carried out attacks on oil and gas facilities in the Delta in recent weeks. There have also been car bomb attacks in Port Harcourt and Warri. 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.

PRACTICAL INFO

Basic Facts

Capital
Abuja

Language
English is the official language, but there are many local languages. The main regional languages are Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba.

Ethnic Groups
There are around 250 ethnic groups in the country, divided into four main groups: the Hausa and Fulani in the north, the Yoruba in the southwest and the Igbo in the southeast.

Religion
The north is predominantly Muslim, while the southeast is mainly Christian. There is a mix of Muslims, Christians and followers of traditional African religions in the southwest.

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.

Crime
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.

Useful Information

Time Zone
GMT +1

Climate
Relatively high temperatures throughout the year. August and September are the rainiest months throughout the country.

Telephone dialling code
(+) 234

Currency
The currency is Naira. Nigeria is a cash economy. You should ensure that you bring enough currency (Sterling, US Dollars or Euros) to cover your costs. It is illegal to change money on the street. We strongly advise against the use of credit cards throughout Nigeria. Travellers' cheques are difficult to cash in Nigeria.

As many crimes involve the theft of British passports, you should keep a photocopy of your passport, separately from your passport. This will speed up the process of issuing a new one.

Travel

Visa Requirements
All nationals travelling to Nigeria must hold a valid visa before entering the country. Nationals planning to work in Nigeria must obtain the correct visa before doing so.

Travellers holding passports with less than six months validity left may be turned away by airlines. You are advised to get a replacement passport before travelling.

Driving (Left/Right)
Right

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
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, you 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.

Airlines advise travellers to reconfirm their return booking at least 48 hours before they are due to depart, and to check in early.

The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community. You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel: http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/flywell_en.htm

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. Visitors with essential business in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States should seek advice locally before travelling.

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.

Health

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. Please see: Travel Insurance.

Diseases
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.

Avian Influenza
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.

Medical supplies and facilities
Basic, limited medical facilities are available in some parts of Nigeria.

Landmines

Nigeria is not mine-affected. Mines laid in the Biafra Civil war have all been cleared.

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