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TravelThe very thing that makes Nigeria so ornery and difficult to unite into a single peaceful republic is also its attraction. There are over 250 different peoples, languages, histories, and religions all rubbing shoulder to shoulder in this hectic, colourful and often volatile republic. Nigeria is the place to go if you're into music. Nigeria is constantly pounding to the rhythms of traditional African juju music, Afrobeat and reggae. This is by no means an easy destination, but if you're intrepid enough it can be highly rewarding. During the 1970s, when oil prices rocketed, Nigeria looked set to become prosperous and democratic but perversely managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Its history is littered with tin-pot dictators, massacres, bloody civil wars, human rights abuses, and horrific famines. It is now a country struggling to contain the sum of its parts within a democratic framework. A chronic crime problem, religious intolerance, large-scale unemployment and overcrowding in poor living conditions regularly push the rule of law to the brink. Despite this, there is still an unfaltering optimisim among Nigerians that their proud nation will indeed make it to the party. WarningPolio vaccination in Nigeria is intermittent and there is currently a high rate of infection in the north of the country. For more information on polio and vaccinations visit the World Health Organisation website. Although most trips to Nigeria are trouble-free, this is one destination where consular travel warnings should be taken seriously. From religious tensions in the north with the spread of Sharia law, to border conflict in the southeast with Cameroon as well as violent crime throughout the south, travellers need to be aware of what is going on around them at all times. Lagos and the Niger River delta in the south are particularly unstable, with carjackings, kidnapping, piracy, riots and ethnic clashes prevalent; the northern city of Kano is also dodgy. Travelling from the airport to Lagos can be an unpleasant initiation. Visitors to Lagos should arrange to be met on arrival. Street crime, robberies and muggings occur throughout the country, often in broad daylight. There have also been territorial disputes in the oil-rich region of Bakassi, adjoining neighbouring Cameroon in the southeast. The dispute is being resolved diplomatically for the time being but warrants close monitoring if you're considering travelling through the area. Full country name: Federal Republic of Nigeria GDP: US$113500000000 (PPP) |