Nigeria is a vast country with about 932, 768 sq.km landmass, located wholly within the tropics. The country, aptly decsribed as the "Giant of Africa" is richly endowed with ecological and cultural resources. The country is blessed with a wamr, sunny climate, facinating beaches and savnnah grassland is overshadowed by alluring lnadforms. There are other interesting natural features in forms of hills, waterfalls, springs, pockets of mountainous areas with temperate-like ckimate and a range of unique and common species of tropical wildlife.

Nigeria indeed is a tourist paradise. Here tourism does not dwell only on wild life and national parks. In the scrubland and savannah in the central parts of Nigeria the visitor comes face to face with the most intricate works of the Creator. Beautiful, undulating valleys. Cool, clear, springs. Rolling plains that rise to merge with the horizon and hug the skies. The Yankari Games Reserve with its Wikki Warm Springs and the Borgu Game Reserve near Kainji provide a rare opportunity to see and mingle with game animals.

Climate

Nigeria’s weather pattern differs substantially between the north and the south. In the north, the climate is like that of the Sahel - hot and dry, with one long rainy season from late May to the end of September. Between March and May, temperatures reach 45ºC. Along the coast, temperatures average 5 to l0ºC less, but the humidity can be unbearable. There, it rains most heavily between April and July, peaking in June; September to October is a second, minor rainy season.

Currency

Nigerian naira, with notes issued in 5, 10, 20 and 50 naira denominations. Foreign currency may be changed only at authorized banks.

Post & Telecommunication

The Nigerian Postal service is not very reliable. Telephone and fax services are available in most parts of the country. Internet access is available only in big towns and cities.

VISAS

Required by all except the following:
(a) nationals of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo for stays of up to 90 days;
(b) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport, except for nationals of the USA who require a transit visa.

Note: Children under 16 years of age accompanying their parents residing in Nigeria (provided the name of such a child is entered in the passport of one of the parents) do not require visas, but must, however, complete one application form accompanied by a photo. All children holding their own passport must have separate visas or re-entry permits.

Types of visa and cost: Tourist, Business: £45 (single-entry); £75 (multiple-entry). Transit: £45. The prices quoted are for UK nationals; visa costs depend on nationality. Nationals of some African countries receive visas free of charge. Contact High Commission or Consular section at Embassy for further information.