Jos
Discover Jos
Jos is the state capital of Plateau State in North Central Nigeria. Before the unrest that has shaken the region, the city's cool climate, scenic plateau location and colonial importance made it a popular tourist destination. It is a city of about 810,000 people (2015). Jos is inhabited by various ethnic groups and chiefs, of whom are indigenous Afizere, Berom, Anaguta, Bugi, Mwagwavul, Angas, Tarok and many more from other areas of Nigeria, such as Yoruba and Igbo, Hausa and many southerners displaced from other northern cities in the aftermath of religious violence. The most widely spoken language is Hausa, and because of the high literacy rate in Jos, almost everyone also speaks English.
What to Experience in Jos
Taste of Jos...
There are many eateries and restaurants that offer a range of cuisines. Local delicacies are also very abundant. Many modern restaurants also serve international dishes. Shemshak, opposite the University of Jos gates, is a local favourite where the price is reasonable. There are many other drink zones where local brewed drinks or international drinks are served. The usual service providers can be found in Jos. There are other third-party internet service providers among which are: The Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) is in Lamingo. They have all the hospital departments including diagnostic laboratories. It is a good place to access quality health care. You can speak English and Hausa languages to virtually every Jos citizen and they understand but someone who doesn't understand English may just stare at you as you speak while others may try redirecting you to others who can, notice where they point to, they may be pointing at people with better knowledge of what you are asking for. Some may speak a mixture of English and other languages whilst just a few would ever speak the pidgin English mostly spoken among locals. Berom and Izere are also well spoken by natives and those who live around them.
Climate
In Jos, the dry season is hot and partially cloudy, while the rainy season is warm, humid, and cloudy. The average annual temperature fluctuates between 53°F and 92°F; it is seldom lower or higher than 48°F or 97°F. The average daily maximum temperature during the 2.5-month hot season, which runs from February 11 to April 27, is above 88°F. April is Jos's hottest month, with average highs of 90°F and lows of 66°F. The average daily high temperature during the 2.9-month cool season, which runs from July 7 to October 4, is below 79°F. December is Jos's coldest month of the year, with average lows of 54°F and highs of 84°F. Jos is served by many bus lines, chiefly Cross Country that runs air-conditioned mini-van services from Lagos and Abuja. The state government-owned Plateau Line runs station wagon services, but these are mostly uncomfortably crowded trips.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsJos is served by many bus lines, chiefly Cross Country that runs air-conditioned mini-van services from Lagos and Abuja. The state government-owned Plateau Line runs station wagon services, but these are mostly uncomfortably crowded trips. Many other state governments operate transport services with termini in various Jos motor-parks from surrounding state capitals: Gombe, Lafia, Kaduna, Damaturu and even Yola. Other mini-bus or car services are private arrangements where you sit and wait for the vehicle to fill up, but are best avoided because the drivers tend to have dubious driving skills. You can also get into Jos by having a private driver in a private vehicle; because of terrorist acts, you may pass through a lot of security check points. The old locomotive trains famed in Cyprian Ekwensi's The Passport of Mallam Ilia no longer bring the people in and the tin out. There are many taxi cabs, and other transport vehicles all over Jos, such as motorcycles, tricycles and buses....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
There are many taxi cabs, and other transport vehicles all over Jos, such as motorcycles, tricycles and buses. But they have to be shared with other passengers over defined routes. it is also possible to get a private taxi where you share with no one at all, but it is much safer to bear the inconvenience of travelling with others, to avoid getting robbed. Some mini-bus routes are also defined but these are difficult to understand. The taxis and buses almost always tend to be rickety. Motorcycle taxis, commonly known as 'okada' are also a choice but these can be very dangerous as the road network is filled with a lot of potholes and there is a general lack of safe practices. The "okada" rides also tend to be more expensive than the 'Tricycle' or bus rides but are very flexible. Various roads lead to Lamingo depending on where one is coming from. From the University of Jos (main campus/permanent site), you could get a small bus, a motor cycle or a tricycle to Lamingo.
Where to Stay
The usual service providers can be found in Jos. There are other third-party internet service providers among which are: The Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) is in Lamingo. They have all the hospital departments including diagnostic laboratories. It is a good place to access quality health care. You can speak English and Hausa languages to virtually every Jos citizen and they understand but someone who doesn't understand English may just stare at you as you speak while others may try redirecting you to others who can, notice where they point to, they may be pointing at people with better knowledge of what you are asking for. Some may speak a mixture of English and other languages whilst just a few would ever speak the pidgin English mostly spoken among locals. Berom and Izere are also well spoken by natives and those who live around them.
Money & Budget
The central business district is around Ahmadu Bello Way in the centre of Jos. You can buy virtually everything possible, ranging from mobile phones, SIM cards, other devices and peripherals, and many other items including food stuffs snacks. There are many banks in the area as well. General merchandise may be purchased around here. For leather products at very good prices, Ferin Gada on Bauchi Road is the best place to go. There is a place popularly referred to as Terminus; it has a diverse market where you can buy food ranging from meat to fish, fresh pepper tomatoes and onions. There are provision stores, shops for electronics and shoes. There is another market called New Market, about 5 minutes ride from terminus where you can get food stuffs too.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
The Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) is in Lamingo. They have all the hospital departments including diagnostic laboratories. It is a good place to access quality health care. You can speak English and Hausa languages to virtually every Jos citizen and they understand but someone who doesn't understand English may just stare at you as you speak while others may try redirecting you to others who can, notice where they point to, they may be pointing at people with better knowledge of what you are asking for. Some may speak a mixture of English and other languages whilst just a few would ever speak the pidgin English mostly spoken among locals. Berom and Izere are also well spoken by natives and those who live around them.
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Jos
A little girl sitting in the grass with a frisbee
Flower
A group of men dressed in costumes and headdress
A bride and groom kissing in front of a crowd of people
A man and a woman holding hands in a field
Birds fly over a city with buildings.
A baby's tiny hand is gripping tightly.
A man and a woman sitting at a table
A close up of a person putting on makeup
The only surviving African Savannah elephant in Jos Wild Park
A little girl sitting in the grass with a frisbee
Flower
A group of men dressed in costumes and headdress