Nigeria
Africa · Abuja · NG
Nigeria is West Africa's most populous nation and one of its most creatively explosive, a country where Afrobeats reverberate from Lagos nightclubs to global charts and Nollywood films outsell Hollywood in pan-African cinemas. Lagos alone is a megacity of contradictions: Lekki's gleaming towers overlook Makoko's floating slums, and traffic-choked Third Mainland Bridge leads to Victoria Island's luxury boutiques. Beyond the commercial capital, the northern city of Kano preserves ancient walled quarters and leather markets dating to trans-Saharan trade routes, while Calabar's carnival culture rivals anything in the Caribbean. Nigerian cuisine is a feast of bold flavors, from jollof rice's simmered tomato base to suya's peanut-dusted grilled meat served on newspaper at roadside stalls. The country's 250-plus ethnic groups produce a patchwork of languages, festivals, and artistic traditions that make Nigeria endlessly complex, generous, and impossible to reduce to a single narrative.
Overview
Nigeria is a country in Africa. Its capital is Abuja and the international dialling code is +234. Languages commonly used in everyday life here include English. Local currency is the Nigerian Naira (NGN). Our guide covers 1 airport, including Murtala Muhammed International Airport. We also list 2 cities in Nigeria: Abuja and Lagos.
Lagos's Electric Nightlife Scene
Lagos does not sleep; it merely shifts registers. As daylight fades, the city's creative class descends on venues scattered from Ikoyi to Lekki, where converted warehouses host Afrobeats DJs spinning tracks that have not yet reached global playlists. In Victoria Island, rooftop lounges serve cocktails infused with Nigerian hibiscus and ginger, while in Yaba, intimate jazz bars showcase saxophonists who studied under the city's legendary Fela Kuti tradition. The New Afrika Shrine, still run by the Kuti family, remains a pilgrimage site where live bands play marathon sets that blur the line between concert and communal ritual. At street level, suya sellers set up smoking grills beside酒吧, and the aroma of charcoal and spiced meat draws crowds well past midnight. Lagos nightlife is not about exclusivity; it is a shared space where bankers, artists, and tech founders dance side by side until dawn.
Kano's Ancient Walled City
Kano's old city is one of the oldest continuously inhabited urban centers in West Africa, its massive mudbrick walls once enclosing a maze of courtyards, dye pits, and leather markets that connected sub-Saharan Africa to North African and Mediterranean trade. The Dye Pits of Kofar Mata, still operational after centuries, produce indigo-dyed cloth using techniques unchanged since the fourteenth century. The Emir's Palace, with its ornate gates and maintained courtyards, stands as a symbol of the city's enduring traditional authority. Wandering through the narrow alleys of the old quarter, visitors encounter artisans stitching intricate leatherwork, traders weighing shea butter, and children playing amid walls coated in centuries of accumulated plaster. Kano challenges the assumption that Nigeria's cultural energy resides solely in Lagos, offering a deeper, older rhythm rooted in Sahelian trade and Hausa courtly tradition.
Calabar's Carnival and Coastal Culture
Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, earns its reputation as Nigeria's "Carnival City" through an annual December festival that transforms its streets into a kaleidoscope of color, music, and elaborate floats. The Calabar Carnival, launched in 2004, draws participants from across West Africa and blends Afro-Caribbean influences with Efik cultural traditions. Beyond the carnival, Calabar offers a gateway to Cross River National Park, where rainforest trails shelter drill monkeys and forest elephants. The Tinapa Business Resort, built along a lagoon, combines shopping with waterpark leisure and cultural exhibits. Calabar's culinary identity centers on edikang ikong soup, a thick preparation of pumpkin leaves and periwinkles considered one of Nigeria's finest regional dishes. The city's relaxed pace contrasts sharply with Lagos's intensity, making it a favored domestic getaway for Nigerians seeking coastal calm and cultural warmth.
Yankari Game Reserve and Northern Wildlife
Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi State protects one of Nigeria's last viable wildlife populations in the savanna woodland of the northeastern interior. The reserve's centerpiece is the Warm Springs, where crystal-clear water emerges from underground at a constant 31 degrees Celsius, creating a year-round oasis that draws elephants, baboons, and hippos to its banks. Game drives along Yankari's network of tracks reveal large herds of buffalo, roan antelope, and the occasional lion, though sightings require patience and local knowledge. The reserve also serves as an important corridor for migratory bird species, with over 350 recorded species passing through its miombo woodland and grassland mosaics. Yankari reminds visitors that Nigeria's ecological diversity extends far beyond its urban centers, offering a quieter, less-visited safari experience that feels genuinely exploratory.
The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove
The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, a dense forest stretching along the banks of the Osun River in southwestern Nigeria, is one of the last remaining areas of primary high forest in the region and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The grove is dotted with shrines, sculptures, and artworks created by Austrian-born artist Susanne Wenger and local Yoruba priests over several decades, blending traditional Yoruba spirituality with contemporary artistic vision. During the annual Osun-Osogbo Festival in August, thousands of worshippers and visitors gather at the riverbank to make offerings to the river goddess Osun, accompanied by drumming, dancing, and processions led by the Ataoja of Osogbo. The grove functions as both a spiritual sanctuary and a living ecological reserve, sheltering rare species of flora and fauna. Visiting during the festival provides an immersive encounter with one of West Africa's most vibrant and enduring spiritual traditions.
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- Capital
- Abuja
- Currency
- Nigerian Naira (NGN)
- Languages
- English
- Calling code
- +234
- Internet TLD
- ng
Entry requirements
Check who can enter →See which passports travel visa-free or need a visa to enter Nigeria.
Which nationalities can enter Nigeria?
Current visa status for tourism for the origins we cover, with links to the detailed requirements.
Airports (1)
All airports →Cities (2)
All cities →Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Nigeria?
For the origins we track, Nigeria requires a visa for tourism (Morocco: visa required). Entry rules depend on your passport, so confirm the current requirements for your own nationality with our entry requirements tool.
What is the capital of Nigeria?
Abuja is the capital of Nigeria, and the country sits in Africa.
What currency is used in Nigeria?
You pay with Nigerian Naira (NGN) in Nigeria. Exchange rates move day to day, so check the current rate before you change money or use your card abroad.
Which languages do people speak in Nigeria?
The languages we list for Nigeria are English. A couple of greetings in the local language go a long way when you travel, even in cities where another language is widely used.
What is the international dialling code for Nigeria?
The dialling code for Nigeria is +234 — keep the plus sign when you save the number.
Which airports serve Nigeria?
Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS) in Lagos is the airport we cover for Nigeria.
Which cities in Nigeria do you cover?
Our guide lists 2 cities for Nigeria: Abuja (capital) and Lagos.