Information About Nigeria

Physical Features of Nigeria

Lying 10 degrees north of the Equator and 68 degrees East of the Greenwich Meridian, Nigeria is located on the west coast of Africa. Nigeria is variety personified – her people, cultures, vast land and water mass, human and natural resources, belief systems and, often vividly, her political evolution – reflecting a nation of different shades.

Nigerian clocks are set at Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) plus one hour. Nigeria is bordered at the south by the Bights, Benin and Bonny and the Atlantic Ocean. Her neighbours in the North, East and West are Niger, Republic of Cameroon and Republic of Benin, respectively. They all maintain responsible relatioships with her.

Nigeria has two distinct seasons – the dry and the rainy season. The dry season runs from November to March while the rainy season runs from April to October. Being the Tropics, (Tropic of Capricorn) the rains are understandably heavy. In the north of Nigeria, the dry season is longer. The landscape runs from equatorial rain belt in the south to arid desert in the north. Most visitors prefer visiting during the dry season.

Nigeria is richly endowed in mineral resources which include crude oil, coal, lime stone, tin, iron, ore, gold, bitumen, and bauxite. She also has as rich supply of timber, cocoa, palm produce, corn, rice, beans, cassava, groundnuts, soya bean and edible salt as well as cash crops. Her population is put at about 140,020,952 million, making het the most populous Black Country in the world.

Nigeria is the world’s sixth largest producer of crude oil which makes her a prominent member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and African Petroleum Producers Association (APPA). There has been a concerted effort to exploit the country’s natural gas resources, an initiative being driven by the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (Nigeria LNG Limited)

Her rich cultural and artistic values are another significant quality of the country. Her people are industrious and hospitable, with most of the population running small scale commercial activities in urban and rural settings. Nigeria has rich cultural antecedents. These cover sculpting (including the Nok culture), painting, poetry, drama and music. There is unassailable evidence that people in the Nok era were very knowledgeable about iron smelting. There are also the terra cotta sculptures and Igbo-Ukwu castings which date back to many centuries. This is in form of works such as the Nok Terracottas and Igbo-Ukwu castings of an area suffused in rich culture for many centuries.

Political Structure

Known today as Nigeria, (culled from Niger area) this did not come about until 1914 when the protectorates of northern and southern Nigeria were amalgamated. Today, Nigeria operates a federal system of government with 36 states and a Federal Capital Territory known as Abuja. Nigeria obtained her independence from Great Britain on October 1, 1960. In October 1963, she became a Republic. At that time, there were three regions i.e. the Northern, Western and Eastern Regions. In 1964, a fourth, Mid-Western region was added. A twelve-state political structure came into power in 1967, at the outbreak of the Civil War (1966-1970), and was increased to nineteen states in 1976, the same year the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, was created. Then, in 1987, this was further increased to twenty one states and in 1991, thirty states. The present 36 states structure came into being in 1995. The thirty six states of the federation fall under six political zones viz. North East, North West, North Central, South East, South West and South South zones. At the end of May 2007, there were 774 local government councils in the country.

One of the prominent features of Nigeria’s political experience has been the nce of the military in the management of the country. However, since May 29, 1999, the country has been operating a Democratic System of Government.

Visitor Information

Nigeria has a network of air, waterway, land and rail routes all attracting increasing levels of traffic in persons and cargo. Prospecting visitors will benefit from contacting any of the numerous travel agencies for practical advice on the best means of accessing different sections of the country. There are also a number of good hotels that can render this service and also provide reliable hospitality services. The country’s currency is the Naira and Kobo (N:K), with One hundred kobo equalling One Naira. The Central Bank of Nigeria is responsible for issuing currency notes and coins; and there are 25 banks which offer a wide spectrum of services including international money transfer.

Nigeria’s numerous ethnic groups speak several distinct and several distinct and related languages; its lingua franca in English. It may also be useful to contact the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation or the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (whose addresses are included in this Executive Desk Diary)

Today, aside from the Federal and State owned radio and television stations and newspapers, there are a good number of privately owned, ultra-modern radio and television stations, some of which have satellite services, linking Nigeria to the international media. There is also a rich pick of privately owned newspapers, magazine and professional journals published on a daily, weekly, monthly or quarterly basis. Most of these publications utilise the latest technology in their operations. There are also a number of companies, Nigerian Telecommunications included, offering telecommunication services for local and international purposes. The scope of operations of the organisations in this sector is expected to increase with time.

Visitors are expected to arrive in the country only after obtaining a valid visa for the duration and purpose of their visit (only citizens of the Economic Community of West African States are exempted).

Visas are usually issued within 72 hours of the request. They are expected to have received vaccinations against smallpox, malaria and yellow fever. They are allowed no more than four litres of liquor at the point of entry while items such as wristwatches, cosmetics, cameras, and other goods attract ‘on the spot’ duties. Internationally known illegal substances are not allowed in the country.

The National Anthem

Arise, O compatriots, Nigeria’s call obey

To serve our fatherland

With love and strength and faith,

The labour of our heroes past

Shall never be in vain

To serve with heart and might
One nation bound in freedom, peace and utility.

O God of creation, direct our noble cause,

Guide our leaders right,

Help our youth the truth to know

In love and honesty to grow

And living just and true

Great lofty heights attain

To build a nation where peace and justice shall reign

The National Pledge

I pledge to Nigeria my country

To be faithful, loyal and honest

To serve Nigeria with all my strength

To defend her unity

And uphold her honour and glory

So help me God

Helpful Addresses in Nigeria

African Re-Insurance Corporation

12 – 12^th Floor, 46, Marina, Lagos

P.M.B. 12765, Lagos.

Tel: 01 – 266 3441, 266 3282

Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON)

3, William Carew Street,

off Sylvia Crescent, Anthony Village,

P.O. Box 50548, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Tel: 01-497 0842

Bureau of Public Enterprises

NDIC Building (1^st floor)

Central Business District,

P.M.B. 442 Garki, Abuja.

Tel: 09-523 7397, 523 7405

Centre for Management Development

Management Village, Shangisha

P.M.B. 21578 Ikeja, Lagos

01- 497 8391 Fax: 01 – 497 8390

Central Bank of Nigeria

Zaria Street, off Samuel Ladoke Akintola Blvd.,

Garki, Abuja

Tel: 09 – 234 3132 – 6

Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria

PC 19, Adeola Hopewell Street,

Victoria Island, lagos

Tel: 01-615792

Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers

Stock Exchange Building,

2-4 Customs Street, Tinubu, Lagos.

Tel: 01-266 3146, 266 3921

Ecological Fund Office

Federal Secretariat, Abuja

Tel: 09-523 5911 Fax: 09-523 2938

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission

Plot 1017 & 1018 Coree Bay Crescent,

off Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent,

Wuse ll, Abuja.

Tel: 09-644 1000, 09-314 8070 – 74, 09-314 1791, 09 671 7419

Fax:09-314 8074

E-mail: info@efccnigeria.org

Scam Mails: scam@efccnigeria.org

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

60, Yakubu Gowon Crescent Asokoro,

Abuja.

Lagos Office:

6, Island Club Road, Onikan, Lagos.

Tel: 01-260 0720 – 9, 260 0860 – 8

Federal Department of Antiques

National Museum, Onikan, Lagos.

Tel: 01-263 4707

Federal Housing Authority

Block 2, D Close, Sekou Toure Crescent,

Asokoro District, Garki, Abuja.

Federal Institute of Oceanography & Marine Research

Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos

Tel: 01-266 0647

Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria

Plot 124, Festival Road, Area 2,

P.M.B. 2273, Garki, Abuja.

Tel: 09-234 4212, 234 4224

Federal Office of Statistics (FOS)

Plot 305, Bacita Close, Area 2,

Garki, Abuja.

Federal Road Safety Commission

Block 1, Kisumu Street,

Michael Okpara/Olusegun Obasanjo way,

Zone 2, Wuse District, Abuja

Tel: 09-523 4207, 523 2702

Industrial Research Council of Nigeria

Matori Industrial Avenue,

P.M.B. 1283, Ikeja, Lagos.

Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAN)

Plot 16, Idowu Taylor Street,

Victoria Island, Lagos.

Tel: 01- 262 2394, 261 7638

Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN)

Elephant Cement Way, Alausa,

Ikeja, Lagos.

Tel: 01-496 7070

Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB)

National Secretariat: Suleja Road, Bwari,

P.M.B. 189, Garki, Abuja.

Tel: 09-523 2747

Lagos Office:

11, Ijora Road, Ikoyi, Lagos

Tel: 01-269 4751 – 2

Lagos Business School (LBS)

2, Ahmed Onibudo Street,

Victoria Island, Lagos.

Tel: 01-262 3155, 262 3160

Fax: 262 0996

Email: lbs@lbs.edu.org

National Association of Nigerian Travelling Agencies (NANTA)

52A, Ikorodu Road, Fadeyi, Yaba, Lagos

Power Holding Company of Nigeria (Formerly NEPA)

Plot 1071, Area 3,

P.M.B. 338, Garki, Abuja.

Tel: 09-234 6237 – 8

National Examinations Council (NEC)

Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe Expressway

P.M.B. 159, Minna, Niger State

National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS)

P.M.B. 2024, Kuru, Plateau State.

Tel: 073-80744

National Inland waterways Authority (NIWA)

P.M.B. 1004, Adankolo New Layout,

Lokoja, Kogi State.

Tel: 058-221606

National Maritime Authority (NMA)

Plot 1970, Michael Okpara Street,

off Herbert Macaulay Way, Wuse, Abuja

Tel: 09-523 7016 – 7

Nigeria Export-Import Bank

Plot 795, 8^th Street, off IBB Drive,

South Central Area,

P.M.B. 276 Garki, Abuja.

Tel: 09-234 6141 – 9

Fax: 09-234 6152

Nigeria LNG Limited

C & C Building,

Plot 1684, Sanusi Fafunwa Street,

P.M.B. 12774, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Tel: 01-262 4190 – 4, 262 4556

Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corp.

International Airport Road,

Central Business District, Abuja.

Tel: 09-523 6359, 523 6369, 523 6504

Nigerian Industrial Development Bank

NIDB House, 63/71 Broad Street,

P.O.Box 2357, Lagos.

Tel: 01-266 3470, 266 3495

Nigerian Institute of International Affairs

13/15, Kofo Abayomi Street,

Victoria Island, Lagos

Tel: 01-614 309

Nigerian Institute of Public Relations

39, Sobo Arobiodu Street,

G.R.A., Ikeja, GPO Box 553, Lagos.

Tel: 01-496 5213, 493 2922

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation

Plot 639, Usuma Street,

Maitama A5, Abuja.

Tel: 09-523 9146, 523 0770, 523 0625

Nigeria Ports Authority

Plot 126, Olusegun Obasanjo Way,

Central Business District,

Garki Area 10, Abuja.

Tel: 09-234 7920 – 8

Fax: 09-234 7930

Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation

Block 2, Sefadu Street, Zone 4,

Wuse, Abuja.

Tel: 09-523 0418, 523 0419

Nigerian University Commission

Plot 430, Aguiyi Ironsi Street

Maitama District, P.M.B. 237 Garki,

Abuja

Pan African News Agency (PANA)

NAN Complex, National Theatre,

P.O.Box 8715,

Lagos

Ports Management Association of West and Central Africa

12 Park Lane, P.O. Box 1113,

Apapa, Lagos.

Tel/Fax: 01-587 4108, 587 7977

(Temp. office: 01-263 1516

Securities and Exchange Comm.

Madilas House,

96/102, Broad Street, Lagos.

Tel: 01-266 1552, 266 2114

Standards Organisation of Nigeria

9^th Floor, Federal Secretariat,

Phase 1, Ikoyi,

Lagos.

The British Council

20, Thompson Street,

P.O.Box 3702, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Tel: 01-269 2188 – 192

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation

Kilometre 15, Lekki Expressway,

Lagos.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange

2/4 Customs Street, Lagos.

Tel: 01-266 0287, 266 0305

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC)

P.M.B. 1022, Yaba,

Lagos.

United Nations Liaison Office

Skye Bank Building,

Maitama, Abuja.

Tel: 09-523 2167, 523 1109

United Nations Information Centre

17, Kingsway Road,

P.O.Box 1068, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Tel: 01-269 4886 Fax: 01-269 1934

United States Information Service

2, Broad Street, Lagos.

Tel: 01-263 2504, 263 2577

World Bank

Plot 473, ECOWAS Secretariat Road,

Opposite ECOWAS, Asokoro,

P.O.Box 2826, Garki, Abuja.

World Trade Centre

8^th Floor, Western House,

8/10, Broad Street,

P.O.Box 4466, Lagos.

Tel: 01-263 5276, 269 2072

Tourist Destinations

Abia State

Akwete Blue Tourist Village

War Museum, Umuahia

Museum of Colonial History

Bauchi State

Yankari National Park

Borno State

Lake Chad Santuary

Cross River State

Cross River National Park

Obudu Cattle Ranch

Tinapa Business Resort

Edo State

Okomu National Park

Udo Tourist Centre

Enugu State

Nike Lake Holiday Resort

Imo State

Nekede Botanical Garden

Oguta Lake

Kano State

Palm Beach Tourist Village

Bagauda Lake

Birmin Kudu Rock Paintings

Falgore Game Reserve

Hadeja Wetland

Kano City Walls

Kani Tourist Camp

Kano Zoological Garden

Kofar Mata Dyeing Pits

Lagos State

Badagry Beach

First Storey Building in Nigeria, Badagry

Ibeshe Beach

Lagos bar Beach

La Campagne Tropicana

Murtala Mohammed Botanical garden

National Museum Onikan

Relics of Slavery, Badagry

Tafawa Balewa Square

Tarkwa Bay

The National Theatre

Whispering Palms

Niger State

Kainji Lake National Park

Ogun State

Olumo Rock

Ondo State

Ikogosi Warm Spring

Oyo State

Ibadan Trans Amusement Park

Plateau State

Assop Water Falls

Jos Museum

Jos Wildlife Park

Jos Zoo

Kura Water Falls

Mando Tourist Village

Museum of Traditional Architecture

Shere Hills

Isaac Boro Park

Isaka Holiday Resort