Visit a Nollywood film set or studio in Lagos
Nigeria's film industry produces more films annually than any country except India, and studio visits offer a rare look behind this global cinema powerhouse.
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West Africa
Things to do in Nigeria
Africa's most populous nation and its largest economy, the beating heart of Nollywood and Afrobeats, and a cultural influence on global music and film far exceeding what most outside the continent realize.
Explore Nigeria on the map →Budget$
Best for7-9 days
CapitalAbuja
VisaE-visa required for most nationalities including US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian passport holders, applied for online via the Nigeria Immigration Service portal, with processing typically taking 48-72 hours.
CurrencyNigerian naira (NGN)
LanguagesEnglish (official); Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo widely spoken among 500+ languages
InternetGood in Lagos and Abuja, more variable elsewhere
Typical lodging$15–$40/night
Driving sideRight
Power & voltage230V / 50Hz (Type D/G plug)
Time zoneUTC+0 to UTC+1
Emergency number112
Dialing code+234
★★★★★ Culture★★★★★ Nightlife★★★★★ Food
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Bottled or purified water only. Not expected; small tips are appreciated.
Nigeria is Africa's most populous country and largest economy, and its film industry, Nollywood, produces more films annually than any country except India, making it a genuine global cinema powerhouse operating largely outside Western attention. Its Afrobeats music genre has become one of the most commercially influential sounds in the world over the past decade, with Nigerian artists regularly topping international charts and reshaping global pop music.
When to go
Dry season (Harmattan)November–March
The most comfortable window in the north, with dusty Saharan winds (Harmattan) and lower humidity; the south stays more humid year-round.
Early wet seasonApril–June
Rains building across the south, with the north still relatively dry.
Peak wet seasonJuly–September
Heavy rain nationwide, particularly in the south, with some flooding risk in low-lying areas.
Transition periodOctober
Rains easing as the dry season approaches, a reasonable shoulder month.
20 things to do
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Culture & history
9Visit the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove
A UNESCO World Heritage forest sanctuary dedicated to the Yoruba river goddess Osun, one of the last remaining sacred groves in Yoruba religion.
Shop at Lagos' Lekki Arts and Crafts Market
A market selling traditional Nigerian textiles, wood carvings, and beadwork, reflecting the country's rich craft traditions across its many ethnic groups.
Visit the National Museum in Lagos
Home to important Nigerian art and historical artifacts, including works connected to the Benin Bronzes, tracing the country's deep pre-colonial history.
Visit the ancient walls and palace of Kano
One of the oldest cities in West Africa, with a centuries-old Hausa emirate palace and city walls reflecting Kano's history as a major trans-Saharan trade hub.
Attend a traditional Nigerian festival (where accessible)
Nigeria's many ethnic groups maintain distinct festival traditions, including the Yoruba Eyo festival in Lagos, offering a genuine window into local culture.
Explore Lagos' vibrant art gallery scene
A growing contemporary art scene has made Lagos an increasingly significant hub for West African and diaspora art, with galleries across the city.
Visit the Nike Art Gallery in Lagos
One of the largest art galleries in West Africa, showcasing thousands of works spanning Nigerian traditional and contemporary art.
Explore the Benin City museum and bronze-casting workshops
Home to descendants of the artisans who created the historic Benin Bronzes, with working bronze-casting workshops still practicing the traditional technique.
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Adventure & outdoors
1Explore the Idanre Hills and ancient settlement ruins
A dramatic hilltop landscape holding the ruins of an ancient Yoruba settlement, reached via a long but rewarding stone stairway.
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Nightlife
1Experience Lagos' Afrobeats music scene
Nigeria's cultural capital is the epicenter of Afrobeats, one of the most commercially influential music genres in the world over the past decade.
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Wildlife
3Explore the Lekki Conservation Centre's canopy walkway
A nature reserve near Lagos with one of the longest canopy walkways in Africa, offering wildlife spotting within reach of the city.
Explore the Yankari National Park's warm springs and wildlife$3–7
One of Nigeria's largest protected wildlife areas, home to elephants, baboons, and a naturally warm spring popular for swimming.
Explore the Gashaka Gumti National Park highlands
Nigeria's largest national park, holding chimpanzees and mountain scenery in one of the country's most remote and least-visited wilderness areas.
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Food & drink
4Eat jollof rice, the dish at the center of West Africa's friendliest rivalry
A spiced tomato-based rice dish claimed by several West African nations as their own, with Nigerian jollof considered by many to be the definitive version.
Try suya, Nigeria's spiced grilled meat skewers
Thinly sliced meat coated in a peanut-based spice blend and grilled over open flame, a genuine street food institution found nationwide after dark.
Try Nigerian pepper soup and pounded yam
A spicy, herb-forward soup paired with pounded yam, reflecting the diversity of Nigeria's regional culinary traditions across its ethnic groups.
Try Nigerian egusi soup and fufu
A rich melon-seed soup served with a starchy dough side, reflecting southern Nigeria's distinct culinary traditions.
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Nature & scenery
1Explore Abuja's Aso Rock and Millennium Park
A massive monolithic rock formation overlooking Nigeria's planned capital, alongside a large landscaped park popular for weekend outings.
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Beaches
1Relax at Tarkwa Bay Beach near Lagos
A boat-access-only beach near Lagos Harbour, offering a relaxed escape from the city without a long journey.
Common questions
▾Do I need a visa for Nigeria?
Most nationalities, including US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian citizens, need an e-visa applied for online via the Nigeria Immigration Service portal, with processing typically taking 48-72 hours.
▾Is Nigeria safe for tourists?
Lagos, Abuja, and the main southern tourist circuits see regular tourism with normal city precautions; it's worth checking current advisories closely for northern and some rural regions before finalizing an itinerary, as safety conditions vary significantly by area.
▾Is Nollywood really bigger than Hollywood?
By film output, yes, Nigeria's Nollywood produces more films annually than any country except India, though budgets and international theatrical distribution differ significantly from the Hollywood studio model.
▾How many days does Nigeria need?
7-9 days lets you combine Lagos' culture and nightlife with a trip to Abuja or a cultural site further afield, given the country's significant size and internal travel logistics.
▾Why has Afrobeats become such a global phenomenon?
Nigerian artists have built one of the most commercially and culturally influential music movements of the past decade, regularly topping international charts and reshaping global pop music trends.
▾How much does it cost to visit Yankari National Park?
Foreign visitor entry runs roughly NGN 5,000-10,000 (about $3-7), plus a separate vehicle and guide fee. It's one of Nigeria's most popular wildlife and warm-spring destinations, and prices are modest relative to comparable East African parks.