Many languages are spoken throughout Nigeria, but English is the official language and most commonly used.
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Nigeria’s official currency is the naira, which breaks down into 100 kobo. Don’t change money on the street; it’s illegal. Stick to the approved exchange facilities at the airport or in major hotels. Avoid using credit cards; fraud is a major problem all over the country. Many places don’t accept credit cards anyway. Traveler’s checks are also difficult to exchange. It’s a good idea to have several types of currency in your pocket.
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Nigeria’s international country code is 234. To call another country from Nigeria, dial 009 followed by the appropriate country code. Lagos has several Internet cafes.
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It’s customary to tip around 10 percent for almost every kind of service. Upscale restaurants expect a tip of 10 percent, unless a service charge has been added. Make sure you negotiate a taxi fare with tip included before getting in the cab.
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Lagos and the southern part of Nigeria have a lot violent street crime, muggings, armed robberies and carjacking. Be careful and watch your surroundings.
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If you’re coming from an area infected with yellow fever, you’ll need a yellow fever vaccination certificate. It’s a good idea to get vaccinations for yellow fever, malaria, typhoid, polio, hepatitis A and B and meningitis. Consult your doctor at least three weeks before leaving for Nigeria. There have been high risks and outbreaks of polio, cholera, meningitis and HIV/AIDs recently. Food poisoning is another common risk. Stick to bottled water and make sure any meat and vegetables are well cooked and eaten while still hot. Fruit should always be peeled. Some of the private hospitals are good, but government facilities aren’t nearly as good and should be avoided. Make sure you have good health insurance that includes provisions for medical evacuation.
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Nigeria’s electrical current is 240 volts, 50Hz and uses both round and square three-pinned plugs.
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A New England native but explorer at heart, Melisse has lived in four U.S. cities, spent a summer in Hawaii, made her way through wine-producing regions in Australia and New Zealand, and traveled around Europe while studying abroad in London. She is the Content Manager for the U.S. and Canada at Cheapflights.