Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
AIR
Internal flights are a quick way of getting around Nigeria. Flights start at around N20,000.
Most cities are linked by air to Lagos.
The most reliable domestic airlines with the best connections are Arik Air (
Click here
)
and Aero Contractors (
Click here
).
CAR & MOTORCYCLE
Nigeria's road system is good. But the smooth, sealed roads allow Nigerians to exercise
their latent talents as rally drivers and accident rates are high. The only real road rule is
survival of the fittest.
Foreigners driving in Nigeria shouldn't get too much hassle at roadblocks, particularly
if your vehicle has foreign plates. If you get asked for dash, a smile and some patience
will often defuse the request. It's a legal requirement to wear a seatbelt; not doing so
leaves you open to both official and 'unofficial' fines. Petrol stations are everywhere, but
fuel shortages are common, causing huge queues and worsening the already terrible
traffic. Diesel can sometimes be hard to come by, so keep your tank topped up.
LOCAL TRANSPORT
Each town has at least one motor park serving as the main transport depot full of
minibuses and bush taxis.
Vehicles have signs on their roofs showing their destination, while touts shout out des-
tinations. Minibuses don't run on any schedule but depart when full.
Bush taxis cost about 25% more, though true pricing is nearly impossible to ascertain.
MOTORCYCLE-TAXI
The quickest way to get around town is on the back of a motorcycle-taxi called an
okada
(
achaba
in the north). Because of their general lawlessness, the government has banned
okada
in a few of the major cities, badly affecting traffic and driving up the prices with
drivers who are willing to flout the law.
TRAIN
There are still old rail lines in Nigeria, but no services are currently available. A project to
relaunch the national railway service, starting in 2009, has stalled.
