Shopping
Overview
Popular souvenirs include adure (patterned and indigo-dyed fabrics), southwestern batiks and ceramics, northern leatherwork and kaduna cotton, and eastern carvings, spices, beadwork, basketry, ceremonial masks, and traditional instruments. The design is very different depending on the region, many towns have their own characteristic style. In recent years, more and more modern shopping centers have sprung up in the country’s larger cities, where internationally renowned brands are also sold. There are several shopping centers in the big cities of Abuja and Lagos, but shopping centers have also been opened in Calabar, Delta and Kwara, for example. A particularly interesting shopping experience is a stroll through one of the country’s many markets, where bargaining is welcome. The Wuse Market in Abuja is particularly well-known, where you can buy electronics, clothing, carpets and furniture in addition to groceries such as fresh fruit and vegetables. In the evening hours, however, you should expect quite a large crowd. There are also specialized markets such as the Maitama Fruit Market, which sells almost exclusively fresh fruit and fruit juices, the Dei Dei Building Material Market, where you can buy building materials, or the Gudu Market, where you can mainly find car spare parts . The prices on the markets are usually much cheaper than in the shops.
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Opening hours
Mon-Fri 08.00-17.00, Sat 08.00-16.30. Many markets are also open in the evenings.
Culinary
Overview
There is a good range of restaurants in Lagos and the other larger towns. In all towns and even in many smaller villages, roadside food stalls serve traditional Nigerian dishes. The local cuisine is typical of all of West Africa; Tuberous vegetables such as yams and sweet potatoes are common, but plantains, peas and rice are also often on the menu. In the south of the country, dishes with corn and millet are also served. Goat and beef as well as poultry expand the menu. Fish, crab and other seafood are also prepared along the coast. The frequently used chillies usually give the dishes a very spicy note.
Regional specialities
Suya (grilled liver and beef on skewers) Kilishi (dried and seasoned meat) Pepper soup Egussi Soup (meat stew with dried fish and melon seeds) Ikokore (fish and sweet potato soup) Boli (baked plantains)
Tip
If service is not already included in the bill, 10% is expected.
Regional drinks
The local beers are good, the traditional beer is made from sorghum. In some regions one can enjoy palm wine. In the larger hotels there are clubs, bars and cocktail bars; Spirits are expensive. Zobo is a non-alcoholic juice made from, among other things, the dried leaves of the roselle (African mallow).
Minimum age for consumption of alcoholic beverages
In Nigeria, you can drink alcohol from the age of 18.
Accommodation
Hotels
There are top hotels in Lagos and the other larger cities, but they are often fully booked. Advance booking is recommended. Most of the good hotels are on the island of the same name. Hotels are expensive. Information from the Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism (see addresses).
Culture
Religion
50% Muslim (in the north); 40% Christian (in the south) and 10% followers of indigenous religions.
Social Rules of Conduct
Manners: When greeting someone shakes hands. It is considered disrespectful to look someone in the eye for too long. Older people in particular are treated with great respect in Nigeria. In Yorubaland, it is a sign of respect to curtsy at the introduction and to ask about your relatives at the first meeting. Invitations to private houses are rather rare, especially in Lagos one is mostly entertained in restaurants and clubs. The social customs are similar to British customs. Small gifts are gladly accepted and corporate gifts are appropriate. Dress Code: Casual attire is accepted, light suits and ties are expected from business people only for formal meetings. In some nightclubs and discotheques, shorts are not allowed. Women, especially in the Islamic north, should dress modestly (avoid trousers) and observe local customs. Photography: Military installations and police facilities may not be photographed. The same applies to security-relevant facilities (e.g. airports, bridges or government buildings), even if they are not marked as such. People should be asked before being photographed. Some indigenous people do not allow themselves to be photographed for religious reasons. For your own safety, you should be careful not to continuously present an expensive camera to everyone. Tipping: Service providers such as taxi drivers expect a tip. Porters are paid per bag and expect a tip as well. Hotel and restaurant bills usually include the service charge, but an additional tip of 10% is expected. Smoking: Smoking in public is prohibited in Abuja.
Climate
Best travel time
Regionally different. On the south coast it is hot and humid, rainy season is between March and November. In the dry season, the Sahara wind harmattan blows. The rainy season in the north lasts from April to September. From December to January the nights can be quite cold. The best travel time is from November to February.
Country data
Phone prefix
+234
Area (sq km)
923,768
Population
206,139,589 (Source: homosociety)
Population density (per square km)
197
Population statistics year
2020
Main emergency number
112
