Abuja
Discover Abuja
Abuja is the capital of Nigeria. Because most Nigerian government agencies are now headquartered in Abuja and most other countries' embassies have been relocated from Lagos to Abuja, it is a surprisingly expensive city. Abuja is very beautiful. One of few purpose-built capital cities in the world planned and built from scratch, it has an excellent road network, a beautiful rolling terrain and modern Nigerian architecture. However, power is often erratic.
Taste of Abuja...
Food prices in Abuja are high, especially for Western food. There are, however, many good restaurants in Abuja that are worth the money. Of course, whether you live in Abuja or are just visiting, there are times when you are willing to pay a little extra for the simple fact that there are few to no alternatives. Drinks are available all over Abuja and are very overpriced. Average US$20 for some mixed drinks, US$5-9 for a local beer. Buy beer from the Market and you will save a lot of money. The major hotels have bars and restaurants. Watch out for the call girls, if you ignore them, they get really offended. If you are not interested, just say so and have a short conversation, then they will leave you alone. Decent hotels in Abuja tend to cost above US$200 per night. Abuja tends to be a sharp contrast against the background of the rest of Nigeria. While car hijackings and armed robbery are high in Lagos, and kidnapping of foreign oil workers is prevalent in the Niger delta, Abuja, in sharp contrast, is one of the safest metropolitan cities on the continent. However, as the economic situation degrades, the safety tends to degrade as well. General security measures like elsewhere in the world should be observed. Like anywhere else in the world, it's always a good idea to have company when exploring unfamiliar places. If you're driving, observe simple measures like keeping your car door locked when parked to avoid opportunistic crime.
Climate
Abuja has a tropical wet and dry climate,with three main seasons: a warm, humid rainy season (April-October), a dry season (November-March) with dusty Harmattan winds and cooler nights, and a hotter peak around March/April, making it centrally located and milder than coastal areas, featuring lush landscapes and rocky hills. While the industry is being overhauled and aviation safety is being upgraded, only a few local airlines are reliable: AeroContractors, Arik Air, Air Peace, Rano Air, Max air and Dana Air. The quasi-government-owned Arik Air has frequent flights from many domestic locations. Air Peace, Rano Air, Max air and Dana Air are private airlines but operate quite a few routes into Abuja as well. The airport is approximately 40 km away from the city center. From the airport, take the official Green Cab. Board the cab with only people you know. Uber operates here as well. The Abuja light rail system connects the airport with the city centre, but very few trains operate per day.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsWhile the industry is being overhauled and aviation safety is being upgraded, only a few local airlines are reliable: AeroContractors, Arik Air, Air Peace, Rano Air, Max air and Dana Air. The quasi-government-owned Arik Air has frequent flights from many domestic locations. Air Peace, Rano Air, Max air and Dana Air are private airlines but operate quite a few routes into Abuja as well. The airport is approximately 40 km away from the city center. From the airport, take the official Green Cab. Board the cab with only people you know. Uber operates here as well. The Abuja light rail system connects the airport with the city centre, but very few trains operate per day. Bolt (formerly Taxify) also operates extensively within the city and off rides to and fro the airport. There are also private shuttle services offered to customers in the city. You can travel to Abuja by bus from major cities like Lagos, Benin, Kano and Port Harcourt....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Car or taxi is the main mode of getting around Abuja: public transport is limited. However, the Abuja Light Rail provides service mainly on the west side of the city, and provides connections between the city, rail station and the airport. Abuja has a few strict driving laws that are enforced by different bodies of the government. The prominent road traffic and driving control enforcement bodies include VIO, FRSC, the Police. Seat belts are required of the driver and front seat passenger. The vehicle can be impounded and not released until the fine is paid. It will be helpful to have your papers updated as to avoid getting into trouble. Drivers don't typically observe lanes within the city, and often attempt to squeeze in what might seem to be dangerously close to your vehicle. In some cases they may drive on the sidewalks. However these happen mostly where there are no law enforcement officers present.
Where to Stay
Decent hotels in Abuja tend to cost above US$200 per night. Abuja tends to be a sharp contrast against the background of the rest of Nigeria. While car hijackings and armed robbery are high in Lagos, and kidnapping of foreign oil workers is prevalent in the Niger delta, Abuja, in sharp contrast, is one of the safest metropolitan cities on the continent. However, as the economic situation degrades, the safety tends to degrade as well. General security measures like elsewhere in the world should be observed. Like anywhere else in the world, it's always a good idea to have company when exploring unfamiliar places. If you're driving, observe simple measures like keeping your car door locked when parked to avoid opportunistic crime. Armed robbery at gun point is the most prevalent form of crime. A calm disposition and full cooperation with robbers is the best line of action in the unlikely event that you are the victim of a robbery.
Money & Budget
There is some interesting artwork all over Abuja. Wood carvings, paintings and leatherwork. Everything is available in surrounding countries quite a bit cheaper, but if you are here you might as well buy it here. Food prices in Abuja are high, especially for Western food. There are, however, many good restaurants in Abuja that are worth the money. Of course, whether you live in Abuja or are just visiting, there are times when you are willing to pay a little extra for the simple fact that there are few to no alternatives. Drinks are available all over Abuja and are very overpriced. Average US$20 for some mixed drinks, US$5-9 for a local beer. Buy beer from the Market and you will save a lot of money. The major hotels have bars and restaurants.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Abuja tends to be a sharp contrast against the background of the rest of Nigeria. While car hijackings and armed robbery are high in Lagos, and kidnapping of foreign oil workers is prevalent in the Niger delta, Abuja, in sharp contrast, is one of the safest metropolitan cities on the continent. However, as the economic situation degrades, the safety tends to degrade as well. General security measures like elsewhere in the world should be observed. Like anywhere else in the world, it's always a good idea to have company when exploring unfamiliar places. If you're driving, observe simple measures like keeping your car door locked when parked to avoid opportunistic crime. Armed robbery at gun point is the most prevalent form of crime. A calm disposition and full cooperation with robbers is the best line of action in the unlikely event that you are the victim of a robbery. At night, avoid to walk and drive or shut your windows and don't stop at red lights.