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Nigeria travel guide
Big-city energy, Afrobeats and lush highlands.
Nigeria is Africa's most populous country, known for its huge cities, creative music and film industries, and many cultures. Travelers explore busy markets and art scenes, the highlands of Obudu, sacred groves and waterfalls.
Travel tools
Getting there
Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja are the main gateways. Land borders with Benin, Niger, Chad and Cameroon exist but can be unpredictable.
Best time to visit: Nov–Feb – the dry season, with less rain and humidity.
Tougher months: June-September – heavy rains in the south can cause flooding and travel delays.
Weather by month in Lagos
- 32°J
- 33°F●
- 33°M●
- 32°A●●
- 31°M●●
- 29°J●●●
- 28°J●●●
- 28°A●●
- 28°S●●●
- 30°O●●
- 31°N●
- 32°D
Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).
Time zone: Africa/Lagos. Compare with your local time.
Visas: in our passport dataset, 18 of 198 other passports can enter Nigeria without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 180 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 0 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.
Background: Visa policy of Nigeria (Wikipedia).
Official advisory: Level 3: Reconsider Travel (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-06-12). Read the advisory.
Source and more: Nigeria travel facts on RoamSun
Stay
Most trips to Nigeria are based around Lagos, Abuja or Osogbo. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.
Typical daily budget: about US$35–60 for a backpacker and US$100–200 mid-range, per person.
Source: RoamSun Nigeria page · Browse hotel guides
Connect
Plug types: D, G. Voltage: 230 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.
Calling code: +234.
Mobile data: read the travel eSIM setup guide before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.
Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun
Do
- Lagos (Southwest · megacity): Nigeria's commercial hub, with beaches, galleries, markets and nightlife.
- Abuja (Centre · capital): A planned capital with Aso Rock, the National Mosque and Zuma Rock nearby.
- Osogbo (Southwest · sacred grove): Home to the UNESCO-listed Osun Sacred Grove.
- Calabar (Southeast · culture): Known for its colonial history, carnival and primate conservation.
- Yankari National Park (Northeast · wildlife): Nigeria's best-known wildlife park, with natural springs.
- Obudu Plateau (Southeast · highlands): Cool climate, rolling hills and waterfalls.
- Benin City (South · historic city): Seat of the Oba and centre of bronze-casting tradition.
- Kano (North · ancient city): One of West Africa's oldest cities with historic walls and dye pits.
Things to do
- Experience Lagos nightlife. Dance to Afrobeats in the city that drives Africa's music scene.
- Visit the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove. Walk among shrines and sculptures in a UNESCO-listed forest sacred to the Yoruba goddess Osun.
- Explore Lekki Conservation Centre. Cross one of Africa's longest canopy walkways above mangrove forest.
- Hike Olumo Rock. Climb the historic rock in Abeokuta for city views.
- See wildlife at Yankari. Spot elephants and bathe in the warm Wikki Springs.
- Tour the Benin City walls. Learn about the ancient Kingdom of Benin and its bronze-casting guilds.
- Relax at Obudu Mountain. Ride the cable car and enjoy cool highland air on the Obudu plateau.
- Eat jollof rice and suya. Taste Nigeria's famous party rice and spicy grilled meat skewers.
Source: full Nigeria guide on RoamSun
Eat and drink
- Jollof rice – spicy tomato rice, often with chicken
- Suya – spiced grilled meat skewers
- Pounded yam with egusi soup – yam dough with melon-seed stew
- Puff-puff – sweet fried dough balls
Source: RoamSun Nigeria guide
Money and safety
Currency: Nigerian naira (NGN). Currency and plug checker.
Tipping: Appreciated – around 10% in restaurants if service is not included.
Emergency numbers: 112.
- The currency is the Nigerian naira.
- Cash is king; cards are accepted in upscale places in Lagos and Abuja.
- Many governments advise against travel to parts of Nigeria, especially in the northeast and northwest – check your government's latest travel advice before going.
- Avoid travelling at night and keep a low profile.
Source: RoamSun Nigeria facts
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Nigeria?
Nov–Feb – the dry season, with less rain and humidity. Tropical, humid in the south and hotter and drier in the north, with a rainy season from about Apr to Oct.
What time zone is Nigeria in?
Nigeria uses Africa/Lagos.
Do I need a visa for Nigeria?
It depends on your passport. In our dataset 18 of 198 other passports can enter without a prior visa, 180 need an e-visa or eTA and 0 need a visa in advance. Use the visa checker and confirm with the official government source.
What plug and voltage does Nigeria use?
Nigeria uses plug type D, G at 230 V. Check whether your devices are dual-voltage before you plug in.
What is the calling code for Nigeria?
The international calling code for Nigeria is +234.
Do you tip in Nigeria?
Appreciated – around 10% in restaurants if service is not included.
What is the emergency number in Nigeria?
112.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Nigeria?
Traffic drives on the right.