Welcome to Nigeria. Never mind the simplistic disposition of

local political elite, who bandy the impression that Nigeria is

principally about the Hausa-Fulani, Igbo and Yoruba; Nigeria

is one nation and not three. If any thing, Nigeria's strength

comes from her ethnic multiplicity.

Although Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo are considered the

major ethnic groups, Nigeria's other ethnic nationalities include

Bachama, Ebira, Edo, Efik, Egun (Ogu), Ejagham, Gbagyi, Gwari,

Ham, Ibibio, Idoma, Igalla, Igede, Ijaw, Jukun, Nupe, Tiv, Urhobo,

Yala and Zuru. Nigeria's official language is English, but Hausa,

Igbo and Yoruba are widely spoken. However, many Nigerians,

especially of the ethnic minorities are polyglots.

Nigeria is not just a heterogeneous nation: Few countries in the world

could compare to this West African state, which boasts some 250

ethnic groups. Nigeria is, therefore, blessed with a beautiful

kaleidoscope of diverse traditions ranging from language, music,

dance, art, festivals, foods and drinks, drama to folklore and much

more.

Nigeria boasts some of the most delectable cuisines of this world. This is one advantage of the nation's ethnic plurality. From the Efik delights called Edikang Ikong, Ukwoho, erroneously called Afang, and Ekpang Nkukwo through the Igbo Nkwobi and Isi Ewu, Ikokore, Amala ati Abula (Yoruba) to Tuwo da miyan, beef kebab called Suya (Hausa/Fulani), Nigeria presents tongue-tickling excitements.

Traditional Nigerian alcoholic beverages in Nigeria include Palm Wine and Ogogoro, but while the Nigerian South seems to lead in the area of food, the North catches up in the alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks: Zobo and Kunu are among the most popular across Nigeria. The tourist may also want to sample Burukutu, a potent home-brew popular across Nigeria's middle belt.

Another strong point of Nigerian tourism arising from the nation's ethnic diversity is that round the year, every month offers one festival or another (accompanied by dancing and singing) in some parts of Nigeria. These festivals mark the beginning of the farming season, initiation into adulthood etc. The tourist, however, needs some local guide and advance information as some dates are not fixed to the common calendar.

Talking about festivals; there are at least two not-so-famous ones next month, August. These are Neville's Day and Mbido Igbo. Neville's Day, which takes place in the Delta State port settlement of Koko, is an annual fiesta held on August 8, in commemoration of the day that Nanna, King of the Itsekiri, set foot again on his native land, after 12 years in exile shared between Calabar and Accra, Ghana.

Mbido Igbo is another annual observance but this fiesta takes place in the Anambra State town of Igbo Ukwu, a town launched on the world map decades ago by ancient roped pots and other exquisite pieces of antiquity exhumed there.

There are also numerous local acts performing from time to time, especially at the National Theatre, local theatres and halls in the states and at the local Goethe Institut (German Cultural Centre), Alliance Française (French Cultural Centre) and British Council.

With over 36 museums and hundreds of craft shops and dozens of private galleries, Nigeria presents a vast culture maze waiting to be savoured.

Getting there

Nigeria has at least 15 major airports. Five of these, Lagos, Abuja, Port-Harcourt Calabar and Kano are of international status, while Enugu, Kaduna and Jos offer several flights in and out daily. There are other airports in Benin, Ibadan, Ilorin, Maidugri, Makurdi, Owerri and Yola, aside many aerodromes scattered around Nigeria.

Although rail services began in Nigeria in 1898, travelling and haulage of cargo by train has considerably dropped in popularity in spite of billions of dollars lost to attempts to resuscitate the rail system. Nonetheless, the tourist may want to experience a ride inside a train in Nigeria, which has a total rail route distance of over 3, 500 km, excluding the roughly 500km Abuja to Warri route opened around 2004. All things being equal, the rail services are bound for better days and the tourist may venture on a ride. The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has even opened a museum for viewers interested in rail travel history.

For most Nigerians, the most popular mode of transportation is by road, and Nigeria has a vast network of roads ranging from the non-asphalted two-lane avenues to 10-lane expressways.

Although major hotels have car-hire services, the tourist may require a local driver. Most towns and cities have public buses and taxis. In more remote parts, only commercial motorbike, called Okada, may be available. In many villages, people simply walk or use bicycles.

Where to stay

Although tourist accommodation is not always scarce in Nigeria, early booking/reservation is well advised. Most cities have at least a three-star hotel. Abuja and Lagos hold the biggest hotels but Abeokuta and Otta (both in Ogun State), Abraka and Asaba (both in Delta State), Awka (Anambra), Calabar and Obudu (both in Cross River State), Enugu (Enugu State), Ibadan (Oyo State), Ilorin (Kwara State), Jalingo (Taraba State), Jos (Plateau State), Kaduna and Zaria (both in Kaduna State), Kano (Kano), Katsina (Katsina), Lokoja (Kogi), Owerri (Imo State) Port Harcourt (Rivers), Umuahia (Abia), Uyo (Akwa Ibom), Yola (Adamawa) all have large and similarly comfy lodges.

Beside the settlements named above, most Nigerian towns offer lodges but advice from the local tourism agency or Local Government before checking in could prove helpful.

Public Holidays

Coming to Nigeria? Regular Public Holidays are January 1 (New Year Day), Eid el Fitr, Eid Kabir, Easter (Sunday and Monday), May 1 (Labour Day), October 1 (National Day), December 25 and 26 (Christmas and Boxing Day).

With regard to places to visit, tours, where to stay and so on, the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) would be of help. Apart from its headquarters at Old Federal Secretariat complex, Area 1, Abuja, the NTDC has six zonal and local offices across the country.

Immigration

With the exception of nationals of member nations of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), all visitors to Nigeria need an entry visa. An ECOWAS citizen may only stay for a maximum of 90 days per entry. Visas and other documents are available at Nigeria's diplomatic missions abroad. Applicants may be required to present an outward ticket, and proof of ability to pay for basic needs while in Nigeria.

Health

Except for nationals of exempt nations, visitors to Nigeria require a health certificate or proof of vaccination against Malaria, Yellow Fever and Cholera. The requirement against Yellow Fever extends to people who had visited or transited through an infected area

Custom

It is unlawful to enter or leave Nigerian shores without declaring the amount of money(s) in one's possession. At every entry/exit point, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have officers with relevant Currency Declaration Form to enable each traveller document the amount of money on him or her.

Narcotic drugs of any kind are prohibited from importation into Nigeria. Personal effects such as cameras, wristwatch, pens, lighters and cosmetics are duty-free in reasonable quantity.

Other goods, e.g. video recorders and some electronic gadgets attract duties paid on the spot. Where in doubt, seek clearance with Customs, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) or Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) personnel. Please only relate with officers in uniform to avoid falling prey to touts

Given Nigeria's vast diversity in terms of plenitude of peoples, geographical features and so on, culture is arguably this nation's strongest forte. Where culture is potent, tourism thrives. Unfortunately, owing to over dependence on crude oil, and dearth of vision on the part of successive political leaders, this sector remained largely neglected for decades.

Fortunately, tourism has been enjoying a boom since the appointment of Otunba Olusegun Runsewe as Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC). Otunba Runsewe did not only breath new life into the tourism sector, through innovations he introduced, the man brought an industry relegated to the background for decades to the forefront of national life. Fancy the new punch line: Oil exhaustible, tourism sustainable. Very true... For the first time, since the creation of the NTDC, tourists visiting Nigeria now have road maps and tourist guides as well as street maps for major cities, courtesy NTDC, which has built a National Yam House in Igbo Ukwu, a Fish House in Argungu, and has slated an Oduduwa House for Ile-Ife, alias The Source.

In the same vein, the National Gallery of Art has also opened dozens of new outposts in different states of the federation since that agency came under the leadership of Mr. Joe Musa. In other words, tourists now have more galleries to look in at, as they travel around the country.

Nigerian art (ancient and modern) continue to fascinate viewers in various parts of the world. Nigeria's cultural prowess could be seen from the relics of ancient Nigerian Art from Adamawa, Alok, Benin, Calabar, Esie, Ile-Ife, Igbo-Ukwu, Nupe land and the Nok area, which adorn numerous museums across the world. For reasons like these, most tourists visiting Nigeria cannot depart without many uncommon mementos, including carvings, masks, paintings and sculptures. Nigerian traditional textiles such as Yoruba Adire and Aso-Oke, Akwa-Ocha (Asaba), Akwette (Akwette, Abia), Anger (Tiv), Ili ota chi (Idoma) and Efik Ukara are among the most exotic fabrics of this world.

In the world of contemporary Five Arts, Nigerians have heroes in every arena. For example, Nigerian writers of various ages and generations have won the best and biggest prizes for literary excellence. This includes Wole Soyinka, 1986 Nobel laurette, and Booker Prize winner Chinua Achebe as well as Ene Henshaw, Ken Saro-Wiwa, J. P. Clark, Elechi Amadi, Gabriel Okara, Chukwuemeka Ike, Cyprian Ekwensi, Buchi Emecheta, Mabel Segun, Omolara Ogundipe-Leslie, Karen King-Aribisala, Zainab Alkali, Helon Habila, Biyi Bandele Thomas, Chimamanda Adichie, to mention a few.