Nigeria is one of the most populous nations in the world today. Thus. there are many things to know before going to Nigeria. Apart from the fact that the country is known as the giant of Africa, it is the potbelly of different undeniable talents who have been sincerely pushing the whole world forward in every sphere.
Nigeria has been home to several indigenous pre-colonial states and kingdoms since the second millennium BC, with the Nok civilization in the 15th century BC, marking the first internal unification in the country. The modern state originated with British colonialization in the 19th century, taking its present territorial shape with the merging of the Southern Nigeria Protectorate and Northern Nigeria Protectorate in 1914 by Lord Lugard.
The country is a multinational state inhabited by more than 250 ethnic groups speaking 500 distinct languages, all identifying with a wide variety of cultures. The three largest ethnic groups are the Hausa in the north, Yoruba in the west, and Igbo in the east, together comprising over 60% of the total population. The official language is English, chosen to facilitate linguistic unity at the national level.
Things to Know Before Going to Nigeria
Looking at the wide expanse of land it controls to its name and the many landmarks, both successes and failures, the country is recognized to have claimed to itself and its peoples, we will be outlining some of the salient things to know before going to Nigeria here in this content. Pay attention to the highlights of information below:
The Country is Developing
Like other developing countries, Nigeria is not known for being well planned. Roads can get rather bumpy and the security is not exactly state of the art. Also, if you are looking for order, you might be disappointed as the country’s government is still developing and thus is not as capable of enforcing it. Due to this, people live by their means without expecting anything from the government. It is imperative that you ask questions when lost as Nigerians are generally nice and warm people.
There is Heterogenous Religious Beliefs
The peoples of Nigeria come from various backgrounds and so this contributes to the multifarious faiths which they share different from one another. The origin of the people of Nigeria is very different as they were not always one. The major tribes that makeup Nigeria were once kingdoms of their own just before Great Britain merged the three regions together. Those in the northern part of Nigeria are predominantly Muslims while those in the southern part are mainly Christians and traditional worshipers.
For tourists, it will be advisable to stay in the southern region as some parts of northern Nigeria practice Sharia. Things escalate quickly there. However, they can be very nice people.
Nigeria runs an Efficient Monetary System
Some cities encourage cashless transactions and so will accept cards payments in most places. These can be unreliable in smaller cities and smaller establishments. To be safe, always carry enough cash for the day (not too little to get stranded and not too much). ATMs are available throughout the country and if you have a local guide, they can handle most of the transactions for you.
Nigeria has a Different Public Transport
When in Nigeria as a foreigner, it is imperative that you do not depend so much on public transport as their transportation system is not like the United States or even other European countries. Since Nigeria houses 200 million people, the road can get pretty cramped up rather easily. It would be wiser for you to simply walk, depending on the distance to your destination, or a personal driver that knows the town to the. While at this, visitors can also be scheduled for a tour as per their request.
Nigeria is a Safe Haven
Unlike every other country of the world where crisis and dangers are arbitrary and sudden, Nigeria is a very safe place to live in. In Nigeria, a few states in the North East have been plagued with terrorist activity and this is on the decline with top-notch efforts by the Nigerian military to conquer this beast. Nigeria is a large country; 36 states, 350+ ethnic groups, thousands of natural landmarks, Africa’s largest economy, home of Nollywood and Africa’s best musical industry, etc.
Foreigners can walk the streets without fear of abduction and with the basic travel alertness and safety precautions, you can let down your guard and explore the wonders of the country. Nigeria is as safe as any other country worth its salt.
The Country Welcomes Heat
Africa being a land of the sun, it goes without saying that Nigeria exists in a tropical region. Nigeria is a hot country so when traveling, be sure to dress accordingly. Also, snow does not fall in Nigeria as the country only has two seasons – the rainy season and the dry season. Some parts of the country, like Jos Plateau state, have erratic weather patterns as it gets extremely cold as well as extremely hot without any warming. For non-natives, it is important to come along with sunscreen and hats for protection from the heat of the sun which may result in sunburns.
She (Nigeria) Speaks English
Well, many people speak fluent English but everyone speaks Pidgin English. Pidgin is a local variant — I would say it is a unique language on its own — that combines local dialects, slang and some English words. No surprise, since English is the official language and most people speak it alongside one or two of 350+ local languages.
Nigerians Show Off
Nigerians are flamboyant people: In Nigeria, big houses are big, parties are loud and weddings are extravagant. Compared to other African countries, Nigerians are flamboyant and often display their wealth in innocuous ways. Nigerian weddings have a life of their own and creative tour operators like TVP Adventures now offer packages for you to experience a wedding firsthand or attend a typical ‘owambe’ (celebration).
