Best Things to Do in Nigeria

Nigeria sits on the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa, a country of extraordinary contrasts: the commercial megacity of Lagos (over 20 million in the metropolitan area), the ancient mud palace of the Emir of Kano in the north, the Nok terracotta figurines (2,500 years old) in the Jos Plateau Museum, and the historic Benin Bronzes (looted to the British Museum in 1897, some returned in 2022) in the Benin City National Museum. The things to do in Nigeria are anchored by Lagos, the country’s commercial and cultural capital: Lekki Conservation Centre (a canopy walk over a mangrove ecosystem), the Nike Art Gallery (one of the largest private art collections in Africa, 9 floors of traditional and contemporary Nigerian art), the Lekki beach strip, and the music venues and nightclubs that make Lagos one of Africa’s most exciting cities for Afrobeats culture (Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage and the other Afrobeats stars who have put Nigerian music on the global stage originated here). Abuja, the planned capital (functional since 1991), has the Aso Rock Abuja (a 400m monolith forming a natural city backdrop) and the Nigerian National Mosque. Yankari National Park (Bauchi State) has savannah wildlife including hippos, baboons, and small elephant populations, plus the Warner Springs warm water springs that attract visitors year-round.Best time to visitNovember through February is the dry season in the south (Lagos, Benin City, Port Harcourt) and the best time for most tourist activities. The north (Kano, Jos, Maiduguri) is more extreme: the dry season (October-April) is very dry and harmattan dust reduces visibility; the wet season (May-September) is more moderate in temperature. The wet season in Lagos (April-October) is warm and rainy but doesn’t prevent most activities.Getting aroundMurtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja are the main international gateways. Within Lagos, the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) serves major corridors; Uber is available in Lagos and Abuja. Traffic in Lagos is notorious; the Lekki-Epe Expressway and Victoria Island area can take 2-3 hours to cross at peak times; water taxis across the Lagos Lagoon are faster for some crossings. For intercity travel, Dana Air, Air Peace, and Ibom Air serve domestic routes; long-distance buses are available.What to eatNigerian cuisine is West Africa’s most diverse and exciting. Jollof rice (the contested claim with Ghana and Senegal; Nigerian jollof has a distinct smoky flavor from cooking in a dry pot) is the celebratory dish at every event. Suya (spicy grilled beef skewers with a peanut-spice rub) from street vendors is the Lagos evening staple. Egusi soup (made from melon seeds, leafy vegetables, and fish or meat), pounded yam, and banga (palm nut soup) are the south’s traditional dishes. Pepper soup (a thin, fiery broth with meat or fish, served at Nigerian bars) is the universal comfort food. In Lagos, Yellow Chilli restaurant and Nok by Alara represent the upscale traditional cooking scene.FAQIs Nigeria safe for tourists?Nigeria is a complex country safety-wise. Lagos and Abuja are manageable with precautions; as Africa’s megacities, they have crime, traffic, and areas tourists should avoid. The northeast (Borno, Yobe states) remains affected by Boko Haram insurgency and is a no-go zone. The Niger Delta region has specific security concerns. Cross River State (Calabar, the Drill Ranch) and Obudu Mountain Resort are considered relatively safe. Most western governments rate Nigeria at Level 2-3 depending on region; check carefully before travel and use reputable local operators for any activities outside Lagos or Abuja.