Getting In and Around

Visas: All foreigners require a visa to enter Nigeria regardless of the length of the stay. Fees may vary depending on one’s home country, the length of stay, and the purpose of the trip. We advise allowing ample time to arrange for your visa in order to prevent confusion or delay. Visa application requirements vary depending on country; for requirements for a specific country, visit the official Nigerian immigration website.

Transportation: In/Out and Within Nigeria: Most travelers will fly into the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, formerly known as the Lagos International Airport.

Within the country, car travel is the best mode of transportation. Traveling by bus is also an option, but do so with the knowledge that it won’t be a luxury ride. For traveling within cities, taxis and private hire cars offer the best ways of getting around without too much expense. If you’re planning to hire a chauffeur for the duration of your trip, make sure that you make arrangements with a reputable country, and try to do so in advance. Taxis (called taking a “drop”) are easy to catch throughout the city during the day, and cost around GBP 1 per ride. Inside major cities, it is also common to strike deals for a full day of service with cab drivers. In Abuja, the Abuja Leasing Company runs the only properly-licensed cab service (green cabs) and represents the safest and most comfortable way to move around town. In Lagos, several private formal companies offer the service and have small booths or agents at the airport’s international terminal. Alternatively, in all cities many informal cab drivers and their associations exist. They can be hired for any number of hours or days. They generally operate private cars without identification. Although they represent a very common way of transport for both Nigerians and foreigners, you may want to leave this option out and prefer a more “formal service” until you become a more seasoned traveler and can discern among them in the interest of security.

Local airlines provide the safest and most efficient means of traveling between cities in Nigeria. Nonetheless, it is worth checking the security record of some of the airline companies. Currently, no Nigerian airline is a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Their safety standards are, however, cleared by the national authority, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Albeit with declining incidence, deadly crashes have continued to occur in recent years. Among the airlines, Aerocontractors, Arik, and Air Nigeria (former Virgin Nigeria) own the newest and most modern fleet of airplanes and have a more solid reputation for security, with their ticket prices coming accordingly at a premium. They provide connections to most domestic as well as some regional and international travel destinations.

Mobile Phones: The major network providers in Nigeria are MTN, GLO, and Etisalat. You can buy a cheap phone or a SIM card upon arrival.

Safety and Security

When traveling between cities in Nigeria, it is best to start the journey early and arrive before nightfall, especially if you are traveling by bus or car. Late-night travel can be dangerous, especially when it’s between states. As always when you’re traveling to a foreign country, it is important to be street smart and aware of your surroundings. Petty theft is common in Nigeria, so keep belongings such as cell phones close to you at all times. The U.S. Department of State’s travel page on Nigeria has more details on safety and security.

Nigeria is infamous for being a hub for credit card fraud. We strongly suggest that you use only cash during your stay in Nigeria.