Nigeria Country & Tourist Information

Location
West Africa.

Area
923,768 sq km (356,669 sq miles).

Population
130.2 million (UN estimate 2005).

Population Density
140.9 per sq km.

Capital
Abuja. Population: 1.4 million (2006 census). Lagos, which was the capital until 1991, is the largest urban agglomeration with 10 million (UN estimate 2003).

Government
Republic since 1963. Gained independence from the UK in 1960. Military regime from 1983-1999.

Language
The official language is English. A variation of English (Pidgin English) is also spoken. The three main Nigerian languages are Yoruba, Ibo (also spelt Igbo) and Hausa; another 400 languages are also spoken in the country.

Religion
50% Muslim (mainly in the north and west of the country), 40% Christian (mostly in the south) and 10% traditional beliefs.

Time
GMT + 1.

Electricity
240 volts AC, 50Hz. Single phase.

Head of State
President Umaru Yar’Adua since April 2007.

Recent History
Olusegun Obasanjo and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) came up for election again in April 2003. The election was a tense one since, if concluded successfully, this would be the first time since Independence that Nigeria had held two consecutive elections without military intervention. Despite allegations of widespread fraud and ballot-rigging, both the PDP and president Obasanjo were returned with comfortable majorities. (Obasanjo’s main opponent was yet another ex-military dictator, Mohammed Buhari.) Obasanjo’s chosen successor Umaru Yar’Adua was proclaimed victor in April 2007 in a presidential election which observers said was not credible.

Telephone
Country code: 234.

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. Coverage is average.

Internet
Internet and e-mail services are available in Internet cafes in Lagos.

Media
Nigeria’s media scene is one of the most vibrant in Africa. State-run radio and TV services reach virtually all parts of the country and operate at a federal and regional level. All 36 states run their own radio stations, and most of them operate TV services. Despite high levels of violence, the private press still occasionally criticizes the Government.

Post
Airmail to Europe is unreliable and takes up to three weeks. Delivery may be more reliable through international couriers who are represented in major towns.

Press
• English-language newspapers include the the Daily Times, the Guardian, New Nigerian, This Day and the Vanguard.

Radio
• This is the main medium of information for most Nigerians.
• The state-run Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria operates Radio Nigeria stations in Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, Kaduna and Enugu.
• Ray Power is commercial and mainly music- and speech-based.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day. 
10-13 Apr Easter. 
9 Mar Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet).
1 May Workers' Day.
1 Oct Independence Day. 
21 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). 
28 Nov Eid al-Kabir (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25-26 Dec Christmas.

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day. 
26 Feb  Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet).
2-5 Apr Easter. 
1 May Workers' Day.
1 Oct Independence Day.
11 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). 
17 Nov Eid al-Kabir (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25-26 Dec Christmas.

Note
Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Kabir (Eid al-Adha) may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.

Contact Information:

Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation
Old Secretariat, Area 1, Garki, PMB 167, Abuja, Nigeria
Tel: (9) 234 2764.
Website: www.nigeriatourism.net

High Commission for the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the UK
9 Northumberland Avenue, London WC2N 5BX, UK
Tel: (020) 7839 1244.
Website: www.nigeriahc.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1730, 1000-1300 (visa submission); 1530-1630 (visa collection).

Embassy of Nigeria in the USA
3519 International Court, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 986 8400.
Website: www.nigeriaembassyusa.org

Nigerian Consulate General in the USA
828 Second Avenue, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10017, USA
Tel: (212) 850 2200.
Website: www.nigeriahouse.com


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