World Guide

Nigeria

Country · Africa, Western Africa

Nigeria
Photo: Wang-gp, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nigeria is a country in Western Africa with an area of about 924,000 square kilometers and a population of approximately 238 million people. Its capital is Abuja, and the country shares land or sea borders with Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and São Tomé and Príncipe.

Highlights

This reference covers 5 top sights across the country. In the capital, Abuja, visitors can see the Abuja National Mosque and the prominent Aso Rock. Nearby, Zuma Rock serves as a notable landmark. Further afield, the list includes Victoria Island in Lagos and the UNESCO-listed Osun-Osogbo site.

Food and drink

Local cuisine features a variety of dishes including Jollof rice, Akara, Eba, Suya, Palm nut soup, Afang soup, Kuli-kuli, Kilishi, Chin chin, Ogbono soup, Amala, and Ekuru.

When to go

The weather in Abuja is generally hot throughout the year. The dry season, from November to March, offers limited rainfall and high temperatures ranging between 32 °C and 35 °C, making it a suitable time for travel. The rainy season begins in April and peaks between July and September, when daily highs drop to around 27 °C to 28 °C and rainfall is frequent, often occurring on more than 25 days per month.

Practical notes

The currency is the naira. English is the official language. The country uses 230 V electricity with plug types D and G. Traffic drives on the right side of the road. The time zone is UTC+01:00.

Cities

Food and drink to try in Nigeria

  • Jollof rice
  • Akara
  • Eba
  • Suya
  • Palm nut soup
  • Afang soup
  • Kuli-kuli
  • Kilishi
  • Chin chin
  • Ogbono soup
  • Amala
  • Ekuru

Top sights in Nigeria

  1. Zuma RockZuma RockAbuja
  2. Victoria Island, LagosVictoria Island, LagosLagos
  3. Aso RockAso RockAbuja
  4. Abuja National MosqueAbuja National MosqueAbuja
  5. Osun-OsogboUNESCOOsun-OsogboOsogbo
  6. IkoyiIkoyiLagos
  7. Sungbo's EredoSungbo's EredoIjebu Ode
  8. Tafawa Balewa SquareTafawa Balewa SquareLagos
  9. Cathedral Church of Christ, LagosCathedral Church of Christ, LagosLagos
  10. National TheatreNational TheatreLagos
  11. Ancient Kano City WallsAncient Kano City WallsKano
  12. Great Mosque of KanoGreat Mosque of KanoKano
  1. Sani Abacha Stadium · Kano

Weather by month

The warmest month is March, with an average high of 35 °C. The wettest is August, with about 333 mm of rain.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high, °C343535343128272728293233
Average low, °C212224242322212121212121
Rainfall, mm23227515020327033324914592
Rainy days0151021262727272130

Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Abuja (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.

Also worth a look

Neighbouring countries and territories