Baggage Service Charges of United Airlines

Carry-on baggage allowed

Each traveler can bring on board one carry-on bag plus one personal item free of charge.

• Maximum dimensions for a carry-on bag are 9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches (22 cm x 35 cm x 56 cm), including handles and wheels
• Maximum dimensions for your personal item, such as a shoulder bag, backpack, laptop bag or other small item, are 9 inches x 10 inches x 17 inches (22 cm x 25 cm x 43 cm)

Please see our Carry-on Baggage page for more information.

Checked baggage

To determine first and second checked baggage service charges for your itinerary, use the baggage calculator below. Please note that as required by U.S. Department of Transportation regulations, baggage service charges for your entire itinerary are determined by the marketing carrier for the first segment of your itinerary. Your originating marketing carrier is the airline whose flight number is assigned to the first segment of your itinerary. If this carrier is not United or United Express, different charges may apply. Baggage service charges are based on the date of ticketing.

Checked baggage service charges apply at any point where bags are checked. For a trip that includes one or more connections, bags will be checked to your final destination, and the charge for checking a bag from your origin to your destination will apply. For a trip that includes a voluntary stopover, your bags will be checked to your stopover point, where you will collect your bags. When you resume travel, subject to applicable charges, you may check your bags again from the new point of check-in to the destination.

Temporary or permanent baggage embargoes, based on size, weight or number of bags, may be in place at certain airports. See our Excess Baggage Embargo page for details.

Service charge exemptions

Some customers are exempt from certain checked baggage service charges for bags within specified size and weight limits. For specific exemption details relating to your itinerary, select the appropriate status or membership from the dropdown list in the baggage calculator above. Note that exemptions cannot be combined to provide waived charges for additional bags. In the case of multiple exemptions, the greater of the allowances will apply. These benefits apply only on United- and United Express-operated flights when baggage check-in occurs with United.

U.S. military exemptions

• Active U.S. military personnel and their accompanying dependents, not traveling on official business, receive waived service charges for up to three checked bags.
• Active U.S. military personnel and their dependents traveling in United Economy on official business receive waived service charges for up to four checked bags
• Active U.S. military personnel and their dependents traveling in United Global First^SM, United BusinessFirst®, United First® or United Business® on official business receive waived service charges for up to five checked bags.
• Dependents traveling with active U.S. military personnel are also exempt as long as they are traveling in the same reservation. This exemption will not apply to group reservations including ten or more customers.

Other baggage service charges

Excess baggage

Bags checked in addition to the traveler's baggage allowance.
Checked baggage allowance may vary depending on cabin, status level, military status, itinerary and date of purchase.
From $125 to $200 per bag
Learn more

Oversized baggage

Checked bags in excess of 62 linear inches* (158 linear cm) to 115 linear inches (292 linear cm)
Maximum size allowed may vary depending on cabin, status level, military status, itinerary and date of purchase.
*linear measurement = length + width + height
$200 per bag
Learn more

Overweight baggage

Checked bags weighing more than 50 pounds (23 kg) to 70 pounds (32 kg)
Maximum weight allowed may vary depending on cabin, status level, military status, itinerary and date of purchase.
From $100 to $200 per bag

Checked bags weighing more than 70 pounds (32 kg) to 99.9 pounds (45 kg)
Maximum weight allowed may vary depending on cabin, status level, military status, itinerary and date of purchase.
Up to $400 per bag
Learn more

See if an excess baggage embargo applies to your travel

Items with extra handling charges

The following items are subject to a special handling service charge based on itinerary.  All service charges are listed are per item.

Antlers
Worldwide from $100 to $200
Learn more

Bicycles
Worldwide from $100 to $200
Learn more

Dry ice
Worldwide from $35 to $200
Learn more

Kiteboards
Worldwide from $100 to $200
Learn more

Surfboards
Worldwide from $100 to $200
Learn more

Vaulting poles
Worldwide from $100 to $200
Learn more
Source(http://www.united.com/)

Nigeria Travel Tourism

With the rise of foreign economic interest in Africa, it’s no surprise that Africa’s most populous country has received plenty of attention lately. Monetary matters aside, Nigeria’s main cities have been becoming more and more cosmopolitan over the years, and that has directly contributed to an increase in tourism and popularity among foreigners.

After decades of dictatorship, Nigeria declared independence in 1960, and has since been seen as an energetic reformer. The government’s ups and downs haven’t stopped Nigerians from living joyful lives, though: in 2003 a study that included more than 65 countries worldwide showed that Nigeria has the happiest people on Earth. So, if you were doubting your travel plans before, these findings should eliminate any uncertainty.

(source:africa.com)

Ghana Tourism- The Backbone Of Ghana's Economy

Tourism is a strong pillar of the Ghanaian economy. In 2012, it recorded 993,600 international tourist arrivals with corresponding receipts of 1.7 billion USD. The industry provided employment for 359,000 people in the country. Seen as a strong contributor to the economy, the government is strengthening the industry to enable it [tourism industry] play its role in the overall development of the country.

It was for this reason that the government increased the GH¢ 2million budget to GH¢ 3 million allocation to the Creative industry, underscoring government's recognition of the potentials of the Industry in accelerating Ghana's economic growth.

In 2013, the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Seth Terkper indicated that government would facilitate the development of cultural villages and enclaves as a critical appendage to tourism which is fast gaining economic relevance as a source of revenue generation and employment creation.

This year, the industry is focusing on revamping all the tourist and natural resource centres to help raise funds to support the country's economic development. As parts of efforts to strengthen the industry and put much value on the Ghanaian creative industry, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts launched a Domestic Tourism Promotion Project dubbed: "Explore Ghana," in Accra. The project seeks to encourage Ghanaians to visit the country's attractive tourism sites through vigorous promotion and showcasing of aspects of the cultural heritage and creative arts products and services. In a key note address, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare said the project was aimed at inculcating travel habit while mainstreaming tourism as a major activity among Ghanaians.
 According to her, the project, which is a joint collaboration with the Graphic Communications Group, the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and Voltic mineral water, and other stakeholders, was geared towards promoting Ghana's cultural heritage and its creative arts products and services. "Statistics on domestic tourism indicates that interregional movements are currently taking place within the country as educational and social clubs continues to organise group tours from their institutions to other parts of the country," she stated. Adjare disclosed that the Ministry with collaborations from the other ministries, municipal and district assemblies as well as other stakeholders were making tourist sites very accessible to all, citing the reconstruction of the Fulfuso-Damongo road in the Northern Region into a first class asphaltic surface road to make the travel to Mole National Park an enjoyable one.

To enhance domestic tourism, the Minister noted that the Ghana Tourism Authority was currently reviving the public Holidays Recreational Programmes in all the ten regions in the country, emphasizing that this year was declared by her ministry as a tourism year with emphasis on domestic tourism. Adjare expressed the hope that travel within the country would aid in the creation of income earning opportunities for residents of rural communities and alleviate poverty through the sale of arts and craft material, provision of hospitality services and tour guiding services among others. Roland Affail-Monney, Director of Radio, GBC, noted that the tourism industry demonstrated its role as a vital tool in the advancement of economies through direct domestic and foreign exchange earnings and through the employment and investment opportunities it generates. He pledged GBC's support to the industry to find innovative ways of stimulating domestic tourism.

A former Chief of Staff, Henry Martey Newman said the industry should be redesigned to make it more attractive and valuable to Ghanaians as it was the hub of the country's economic development. Newman said ideas must not just be left unattended to rather, there must be operationalized so as to contribute to the growth of the industry and the economic development as whole. To demonstrate the relevance of domestic tourism, the Ministry took participants around various sites in the Capital city. This was aimed at paving way for domestic tourism to begin and for Ghanaians to appreciate and value what they have as a country. source{http://www.travelafricanews.com/}

Why Nigeria must boost gas utilisation

THE Executive Vice Chairman, Techno Oil Limited, Mrs. Nkechi Obi has stressed the need for the Federal Government to further encourage robust utilisation of gas for domestic consumption in the country.

  Obi, in an exclusive interview with the Guardian recently, berated the huge quantity of gas flared in the country, which could be converted for economic benefits.

   The Techno Oil boss, however advocate for mass conversion from kerosene to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), as more economic and environmental-friendly fuel for domestic usage.

   “In terms of gas utilization, I don’t think they have met the industry expectations, because Nigeria is still unable to fully utilize gas, and we flare quite a very high quantity of the resources. We are not there yet, because countries like Ghana and Morrocco are doing fine. We have a good number of gas reserves, but as at today our gas consumption is still very low. So, government must wake up to this challenge,” she said.

  She said LPG is one of the many ways whereby the gas resources could be beneficial to the local economy, although there are  some challenges in the adoption of LPG as a means of generating energy in Nigerian homes today, which she identifies as; the high cost of the cylinders and shortage of filling plants.

   “We must find a way standardizing our filling stations to be able to accommodate LPG refilling capability. A situation whereby Nigerians would travel for over 14 kilometres before they can access a refilling facility works against the adoption of this product.

    “That is why, we at Techno Oil are using our Going Green Campaign to reach out to the masses on gas utilization, we have expended so much money in this advocacy, because we see it as a Corporate Social Responsibility. As at today, we have distributed well over 20,000 units of our cylinders. We have also gone into partnership with indigent mothers and market women as a way of empowering them to use LPG. We give out our cylinders at highly discounted prices in other to encourage Nigerians switch from kerosene to gas, and we believe that the federal government would soon join us on the campaign to be able to capture the entire populace,” she said.

Obi noted that there had been a slight increase in LPG consumption from 120,000 metric tonnes to about 240,000 metric tonnes in 2012.

 She said the Federal Government should support the efforts of the few investors in this industry by granting them duty waivers or reduction on cylinders and stove accessories which are mostly imported.

   “It would also be more rewarding for government to redirect the current subsidy on Kerosene to the procurement of cylinders. Studies have confirmed that high cost cylinder procurement is one of the barriers to the switch from kerosene to LPG,” she said.

Omu Resort: Building Of A Disney World In Lagos Jungle

RECREATION in Nigeria, especially Lagos state has for long been limited to people gathering together, eating and drinking. And most Lagosians do this at the beach. This ritual may soon change as the owner of Omu Resort is coming up with a new tourism experience for Lagosians.

   Omu Resort, a 22.4 hectares of land situated in a serene environment at the foot of  Omu river at Bogije town, Lekki Epe expressway, Lagos features zoo with variety of animals ranging from lion, giraffes, zebras, baboons, monkeys, hyenas, jackals, crocodiles, ostriches, peacocks, snakes and others. There is also amusement park, Koi pond, outdoor park, go karting, miniature golf and horse riding. A Section of the facility, SeaWorld showcases different aquatic animals, archery, wax museum, quad biking and so on.

According to a spokesperson of the resort, Olabisi Falase, he said the idea is directed towardso giving Lagos state a signature project; educate the tourists while offering them recreational activities. He said project such as Omu resort aims to change people’s attitude and perception and solves the dilemma faced by most parents of where to take their children during holiday.

   Olabisi revealed that the project started in Surulere simply as a SeaWorld where schools and families come for excursions to learn about aquatic life. According to him, the vision got larger as a result of influx of people, which made the location too small to accommodate the many visitors that visit on daily basis, hence, the establishment of Omu Resort.   

  “The Omu Resort was conceived as a complete destination point for schools, families and corporate organizations. We thought of establishing a vacation spot where parents can come with their children; spend three or more hours without being bored. Our floor plan aims at providing our visitors with a rewarding experience that will broaden their educational spectrum in a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere. We have many facilities for all ages and the fun is endless yet educating.

   “Our mission is to provide an entertainment and educational environment in which to display and propagate animals (both aquatic and wild) in a safe manner that gives a unique viewing opportunity to all of our visitors as well as ensure that other activities compliment our exhibits. Our strategy is to enhance the quality of the time spent by our visitors by developing a blend of education, entertainment and other environmental aspects, to improve respect for the land and the life it supports.”

   Olabisi said that Nigeria is richly blessed with a variety of resources apart from oil and other stuffs and needed to make the most out of them. He disclosed that Nigeria has the world’s largest diversity of butterfly which is located in areas surrounding Calabar, has 81 different types of snakes that are unique to us and 357 different types of fishes particular to our water.

“That’s what we should be exhibiting in this country; it is our heritage. If you can showcase over 1000 different butterflies in one place, that’s a tourist attraction; people will come from different parts of the world to come and see it.

   “Every major city in the world has a signature project. In London, there is the London Eye, the Buckingham Palace; if you talk of Dubai, you talk of the Burj Al Arab Tower, the Underwater World; the Sand Safari; in Singapore, you talk of the Formula One; the Statue of Liberty in New York, America; same with other major cities. For us in Lagos, you can never truly build a mega-city without a signature project-something you can identify the city with. And this is what we are trying to achieve with this resort; where you can proudly take your foreign visitor to and they come back satisfied with what they experienced.”

   Olabisi is very optimistic that they have the best package in Lagos with what they have on ground. He believes that the resort would soon become a beacon.

   He said: “If you read the story of how Disney in Florida started, it was just one huge piece of land and they were building year after year and that is the same thing we want to do and continue to improve on them. What you see today is not what you will see there next week, what you see there next week is not what you will see there next month. We will keep investing because I think what I want to do is to leave a legacy and what our children will see tomorrow and say: ‘thank God our fathers did these.’”

Flights to Laogs From USA

Source:(http://www.ngrguardiannews.com)

Nigeria To Check Outbound Medical Tourism

THE NIGERIAN government and the national medical association have joined forces in a direct attack against outbound medical tourism.

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has applauded the new National Health Act, as it will help to substantially reverse the trend of frequent and sometimes unnecessary foreign medical trips, and could even make Nigeria a destination for medical tourism.

The new law has provisions that directly tackle outbound medical tourism and the resultant negative impact for Nigeria with substantial sums flowing out of the country. It seeks to stop the use of tax payers’ money where politicians, government officials and their families go free on foreign medical trips, for medical conditions that can effectively be treated in Nigeria.

Dr Osahon Enabulele of NMA explains, “Lots of Nigerians, including top political office holders travel frequently to other countries in search of medical care even for medical conditions that can be satisfactorily managed in Nigeria. Available evidence suggests that over 5,000 Nigerians visit India and other countries every month for medical tourism with lots of these Nigerians faced with various risks and challenges including misdiagnosis, legal and ethical issues, exposure to infectious diseases, as well as other complications, particularly post-surgical complications. On average, over $800 million dollars is lost annually by Nigeria on account of foreign medical trips.”

The new law provides a minimum package of basic healthcare services (including the provision of free medical care for children under 5 years of age, pregnant mothers, the elderly and people with disabilities), as well as improved funding for primary health care through the setting up of a National Primary Healthcare Development Fund to be mostly funded by national taxes. The aim is to offer Nigerians greatly improved access to quality healthcare services, so that deaths amongst Nigerians, particularly the rural poor, as a result of inability to pay for healthcare services (including medical care for emergencies) are drastically reduced.

Minister of State for Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan is an opponent of medical tourism and seeks to get the Federal Ministry of Health to improve healthcare in the country: “There has been a lot of accusing fingers towards us that federal politicians are responsible for medical tourism. The Federal Government of Nigeria is losing billions of dollars because of us; a lot of people are looking at us that we are responsible for people going out of the country. I have a lot of work to do to change this perception.”

Although politicians have attacked medical tourism in recent years, many were at the same time benefiting from free state paid medical care outside of Nigeria. The difference now is that those wanting change have a new law and renewed vigour to tackle the problem, which will be good news for many Nigerians but bad news for a struggling Indian medical tourism sector.

The federal government now has a clear mandate to ensure that Nigerians are healthy by working with the states, local government and the private sector to deliver the promise of transforming Nigeria’s healthcare as laid down by the National Health Development Strategic Plan; and the cabinet has warned national and local politicians that it will come down heavily on anybody causing problems by setting one ministry against another, or otherwise allowing local politics to delay the national plan.

Cheap Flights Ticket  To Nigeria

(source:http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/)

The Gambia Raises Bar On Tourism, Eyes Nigerian Market

Sustainability is key in the world of Tourism but some countries battle with sustainability, simply because of their weather, flight access and other reasons.   As a Country willing to boost her GDP through tourism, The Gambia   is making effort at increasing the population of tourists that visit the country globally round the year.  With its second best eco-tourism sites in Africa, The Gambia through its representative in Nigeria recently invited some journalists from Nigeria for a media tour of the country. LAOLU ADEYEMI who was there reports. 

THE Gambia, the smiling coast of Africa is now one of the most preferred tourist destinations in Africa. What an irony? A former hunting ground for slaves has eventually become a tourist haven besieged by fun seekers from Europe, Americas and other continents. Starting from November to May of the following year, Gambia, blessed with beautiful beaches, sands and sun, is a beehive of activity. 

Though small in population, arguably Gambia is the most peaceful nation in the West Africa. It is also about the second most preferred ecotourism destination in Africa. 

The Country is not just blessed with good tourism sites; they are also blessed with good friendly people who have over the years explored farming and fishing as major occupation. In Gambia, cassava, cashew, groundnuts and other cash crops thrive better and this has contributed significantly to the nation’s export revenue. This explains why her currency (Dalasis) keeps gaining strength against Naira -the Nigerian currency. (Presently, seven Naira exchanges for one Dalasis).

Yet the country is prepared to diversify her economy through tourism. Government through Gambia Tourism Board (GTB) and Ministry of Tourism and Culture is working towards given greater attention to tourism, especially to Nigerians.

 According to the Director General of GTB, Benjamin Roberts, Gambia government is fast making effort to attract tourists from Nigeria and every other part of the world. Towards this ends, deliberate efforts have been made by government to improve flight access by bringing Gambia Birds to ply Nigeria route directly. This initiative, he said, would augment services of the Arik airline- the only airline that plies Nigeria- Gambia at the moment, and bring down airline fares. 

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism. Mr. Momodu Joof confirmed to the Guardian that the Gambian Birds would from this month start flying to Nigeria and bring passengers from Nigeria. Joof described the effort as deliberate in boosting population of tourist round the year. “The gesture will not only help Nigerians to fly freely to Gambia but also attracts investor,” saying air access has been a major challenge to Gambia tourism.  Joof disclosed that her government wants the nation’s tourism business to cease from being seasonal. “We want to make Gambia a tourist destination throughout the year as against having November to April as our peak season”. “Seasonal Tourism is not good for our investors and our Economy”. 

Joof however disclosed that Gambia government is also aware of the challenges that tourism brings to a nation, and that the government has put in place some measures to check any ugly development.

When asked to specifically mention those measures put in place, Joof said there are policies to check incidents of peadophilia associated with visitors coming to the country.  It has also restricts minors from entering the tourist sites during school hours. Joof stated emphatically that any minor found around any tourist sites within school hour would be punished. 

When told that some minors were reportedly seen on the beaches during school hour, Joof  admitted that some security officers in charge of the beach security compromised and the President had recently fired some of them. “But we are working harder on our tourism security to check that,” he added.

 DG Gambian Tourism Board, noted that the country is blessed with different tourist destinations that are majorly eco-friendly. ‘Parts of these tourist destinations are Makasutu camp base, Kinta-Kunte Island which is formerly known as Forth James Island, River Gambia, Albreda Juffereh town which are located on the north bank of the River Gambia; beach resort hotels among others’.

All these tourism sites are always a haven for many tourists from Sweden, Europe and people from other part of the world from November to April of any year. The number of tourists that visit Gambia yearly keep increasing year in year out during this peak period and it help boost the nation’s economy. 

On the other hand, the economy growth slides during off –peak season leading to mass unemployment, “this is not good for the nation economy,” the DG said. 

According to him, this does not just affect the country’s economy but it also scale up the crimes rate, which could threaten the peace of the country. “Gambia is known for being peaceful in the whole of Africa and this is a unique selling point to tourists globally and we don’t want anything to negate it. 

“This is why the government through GTB is trying to repackage the Gambian tourism to attract more tourists during off-peak period for any event, social functions or any other program. When this is actualized, economy of the country will boom and this in turn will impact positively on job creation within the industry”.

source:(http://www.ngrguardiannews.com)

Lagos Black Heritage Festival 2014

This year, the Lagos Black Heritage Festival takes a break from its current series –- The Black in the Mediterranean Blue.  While the Festival policy of a thematic selection for each edition is not abandoned, it moves from the geographic outlook to the disciplinary  -- the discipline for this year being: Music.

The LBHF 2014 events hold from April 14th through 21st at the Freedom Park (Old Colonial Prison), I Hospital Road, off Broad Street, Lagos.

Much is happening in the musical field, but there is a domination of Eura-merican pop forms, which near completely stifles the exploration of indigenous musical resources both in direct performance for audiences, and in their application to other disciplines –- most notably in theatre and cinema/video.  Regarding the latter, when one considers what passes for incidental or ‘mood’ music in much of the output of the ever-expanding African film industry, it becomes a classic case of a visual assault compounded by aural aggravation! A reverse track may yet be brought about by exposing film and video directors to possibilities from neglected musical modes within their own cultural environment. 

Traditional drama was founded on what was generally dubbed ‘folk opera’, a form that is largely dying out. Additionally therefore, in an attempt to resuscitate this unique performance genre, so highly developed in other societies –- see, for instance, the heights to which it has been taken in countries like China -- LBHF yields Front Stage this year to Music, its fortunes under technological enhancements and the proliferation of foreign music. Music, we know, plays a dominant role in social life. 

The Festival will use the event to also pay tribute also to pioneers –- such as Steve Rhodes –- whose struggling orchestra and choral ensemble won laurels in famous international competitions such as the Welsh Eisteddfod. It will provide a homecoming platform for contemporary composers whose works have been enjoyed for decades by foreign audiences but remain totally unknown in their own homeland.  

Summatively, LBHF plans to open the eyes (and ears!) of aspiring musicians to the vastly unexplored possibilities of the musical forms right in their own backyards, as an option to the largely imitative trend currently pursued by a new generation of musicians.  Innovative African music, we propose, should not end with Afro-beat!

DRAMA…. EXPOSITIONS…. FILM…. DO YOUR OWN THING etc. etc. etc.

As always, the supporting cast to the main theme will be out in full form. There will be at least two dramatic premieres, the ever-popular DO YOUR OWN THING, always a showcase of surprise talents and unpredictable presentations. The WATER REGATTA constantly outdoes its previous outing, festooning the lagoon in a blaze of pennants and choreographed motions, while the STREET CARNIVAL continues to complement its Calabar sister Carnival, which rounds up each year, even as the Lagos version ushers in the next every Easter Monday. Not to be missed of course is the Grand Opening itself with its Ancestral Parade through the streets of Lagos. And to inject continuing relevance and ancestral readiness to be pressed into contemporary service, the Ancestors have a surprise appearance for mortal beings in this edition.  

From ancestors to the living: the NIGHT OF THE POETS celebrates the lyric voices of the living, then further down to the next generation which is represented in the CHILDREN’S CARNIVAL, while their viewpoint of the world they inhabit finds expression in VISION OF THE CHILD, a competitive exposition through brush and paint, poetry and prose, that seeks out, and gives pride of attention to the often unheard questions and aspirations of creative minors.

Once again, the state and city of Lagos roll out their mat of variegated colours and textures to locals and visitors alike, saying – WELCOME!

source:www.lagosblackheritagefestival.com

Useful Information for the Foreign Visitor in Nigeria

HOW TO GET TO NIGERIAGetting to Nigeria is very easy, with several airlines serving the country from all over the world. You can come by air, sea or road. Gateway cities are Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Calabar and Kano if you come by air. By sea, you arrive at Lagos, Port Harcourt or Calabar. Or you may come by road from any of the neighbouring countries - Benin, Niger, Chad, Cameroon. And once inside Nigeria, you can travel to any part of the country by air or road.

WHEN TO VISITYou can visit Nigeria all the year round. But the traveller planning a visit should take the following into consideration:

(!) Rain falls, particularly in the south, between May and September. It can be heavy in June and can cause inconveniences.
(ii) Temperature ranges from 23-31 °C in the south, with high humidity.
(iii) A cooler, but dusty harmattan season stretches from December to January.

ENTRY FORMALITIESVisitors from the Commonwealth countries as well as other nations require an entry permit, obtained in advance, and the application should be supported by a letter of invitation and a return ticket for the journey. Processing will take at least two days.

HEALTH REGULATIONSAn international vaccination certificate against
yellow fever (10 years) is required. Cholera (6 months) is also required if coming from an infected area. Anti-malaria prophylaxi and TB inoculation
are recommended.

CURRENCY REGULATIONSThere are no restrictions on importation of foreign currency. A currency declaration is, however required both on arrival and departure, for large sums of money in excess of US$5,000.00. Import or export of Nigerian currency is strictly limited to N5.000 (five thousand Naira only). Hotel expenses/bills must be paid for in foreign currency. Personal baggage up to 20 kilograms and belong such as cameras and typewriters for the use of bona fide visitors are admitted free of duty. In addition, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigers or 225 grams tobacco are allowed. The importation of illegal drugs is punishable by a Jail term.

BAGGAGE EXAMINATIONInternational airports in Nigeria are staffed by wing customs officers who conduct normal checks of baggage on all international arrivals. Standard security checks are in operation at all Nigerian entry ports.

AIRPORT TAXAirport tax is collected at all airports. For domestic flights, the tax is N50 while for all international flights, the tax is US$20 or it's equivalent. The rates are subject to change from time to time. A visitor should find the rate at the time of travel.

CURRENCYThe currency is the naira (N) which is divided into 100 kobo. Currency notes are issued in denominations of N5, N10, N20, N50 and N100. Coins are issued in 10K, 25K, and N 1. Except for hotel bills, foreigners can do their shopping and other businesses in the local currency. There are a number of Bureaux de Change and banks at each International airport where the visitor can convert from local to foreign currency, and vice versa.

Major banks with international branches operate electronic money transfer services. There are plans to introduce credit cards into the Nigerian banking system. These services will facilitate the visitor's transactions and enhance his/her convenience while in Nigeria.

GENERAL INFORMATION

What To Wear:For official occasions, formal clothing is expected. Gentlemen may put on suits
and ties while ladies appear in dresses. Given the warm tropical temperatures, however, light clothing is convenient all the year round. Informal dress is widely acceptable with emphasis on comfort. Batik, a local fabric, with leather sandals and hat, are common. Batik is favoured even for formal occasions because of its comfort in tropical weather conditions.

Informal dress is widely acceptable with emphasis on comfort. Batik, a local fabric, with leather sandals and hat, are common. Batik is favoured even for formal occa- sions because of its comfort in tropical weather conditions.

Laundry and Dry Cleaning:Major hotels offer laundry and dry-cleaning services. Launderettes are not easily accessible but local laundry and dry cleaning shops can easily be found in most towns. Hair Care Shops: Hair dressing and barbing salons are found in all the major hotels and shop- ping centres in the country, catering to both male and female needs. They make both African and continental hair styles, and provide manicure and pedicure services.

Business Hours:Government Offices are open Monday to Friday 8 a,m - 4pm. But in the northern states, it is advisable to conclude all business before 1.00 pm on Fridays as Moslem workers have to go for the Jumat services at 2.00 pm, but return to work thereafter. Supermarkets, stores and other businesses are open from 8.30 am to 5.pm on weekdays and from 7.30 am to 1 pm on Saturdays. But a large Jumber of smaller shops, restaurants and bars are open from sunrise till near midnight every day. Some of the major banks (also open for services to the public from 8am - 4pm on Saturday.

Language:English is the official language and is widely spoken. Foreigners with no knowledge of the local languages can get around without any dif- ficulty. However, communicating knowledge of any of the three principal indigenous languages: Hausa in the north, Yoruba in the south-west and lgbo in the south-east may be useful and endearing

Health Services:Private clinics are found even in the smallest towns. In major cities, private hospitals offer good facilities. As in many countries, costs for medical services or hospital care must be shouldered by the traveller. There are government hospitals throughout the country, but apart from emergencies, the hospitals are more geared to serving the local population.

Pharmacies:Chemist shops abound in Nigeria, even in supermarkets and are open during normal trading hours. Some open even on Sundays in supermarkets.

Electricity:

Main voltage in Nigeria is 220 volts (domestic) and 400 volts (industrial). If a visitor plans to bring any electrical equipment using 110 volts, then a converter is needed.

Photography:

No permit is required, but apply great caution. You may find lots of people who are offended by photography. Even when taking photos of crowd scenes, you should ask around if people may be offended. Photographing of bridges, mili- tary personnel and installations, harbours, televi- sion and radio stations, and the like, is prohibited, but you can take photographs at the airports. Time, Phone and Telex: Nigeria's local time is one hour above QMT. Telephone booths and phone cards are scarce and services sometimes tend to be erratic. Long distance (local) calls can sometimes be made from the hotel room, but International telephone, telegram and telex facilities are available at major offices of the National Telecommunication Company, NITEL. E-mail and

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS

New Year's Day old-el-Fitri *Qood Friday 'Easter Monday May Day old-el-Kabir Independence Day *ld-el-Maulud Christmas Boxing Day

1 January 24 & 25 March or thereabouts 9 April or thereabouts 12 April or thereabouts 1 May 1 & 2nd June or thereabouts 10ctober 31 August or thereabouts 25th December. 26th December.

"These ara moveable dates and are therefore subject to ratification by the Government.

Internet services are available at the business centres within the cities.

Mails:

There are Post Offices in all State capitals. Local mails are delivered with N10.00 postage stamps. International mails range between N40 and N60.00, depending on the continent. Special services, such as registered letters and courier parcels are handled by NIPOST EMSSpeedpost.These complement the efforts of other international courier companies which have offices in the major cities, hotels and airports all over Nigeria.

Traffic Rules/Systems:

Nigeria operates a right hand drive system, under a Federal Highway code. To drive in Nigeria, you need to obtain a dri- ver's license. A foreigner may be required to pro- duce an international driver's license

Newspapers and Magazines:Local newspapers and magazines in English are readily avail- able. Foreign newspapers and magazines can be obtained at main news stands and bookstalls at the major hotels and airports.

Metric Measure:Like most other countries of the world, Nigeria employs metric measures for many transactions. Cloth is sold by the metre, meat by the kilo, petrol by the litre and the road distances on the highways are marked in kilometres.

Emergency Calls:

In the event of an emergency, the visitor may secure help by dialling whichever is relevant among the following numbers:

Police	199
Fire Ambulance	999
Operator	190
NITEL (fault)	192
Enquiries	194
Speaking clock	191

Export of Antiquities:

Reacting to the disappearance of several important Nigerian art pieces in the early 1960s and their subsequent reappearance in foreign lands, the Nigerian Federal Government, in 1963, passed a law controlling the export of antiquities. The law bans export of all forms of antiquities, including all ritual art objects, except with the express permission of the Department of Antiquities or the Curator, National Museum, Jos, Plateau state.

Where To Shop, What To Buy:

Many visitors usually want to pick souvenirs of Nigerian art and craft, such as carvings on wood and calabash, tex- tiles (batiks), raffia and cane works, and pottery. These are on sale at different crafts and arts cen- tres. Particularly interesting is the experience of seeing the wood carvers, cane chairmakers and batik dyers at work at these centres . Notable places where one can shop for African prints, jewelries, pottery and other works of art and craft are the front shops of major hotels and international airports.

In Lagos, important shopping centres include Ikoyi Hotel, Eko Le Meridian, Falomo Shopping Complex, the National Museum's Craft Centre, National

Theatre Shopping Mall and Tafawa Balewa Shopping Complex. For textiles, there are the Jankara market, Tie and Dye (Adire) Centre in Akerele Street, Surulere and Aswan! Market, Isolo, Lagos.

Elsewhere in the country, the tourist will find a variety of popular African textiles- Aso Oke in lseyin (Oyo State), Sanyan in Ogbomosho (Oyo State), Akwete cloth (Imo State) and Fulani traditional wears in Kano and other parts of the North. There are many popular fashion houses in Lagos located mostly on Alien Avenue and Opebi Road, both in Ikeja, on Adeniran Ogunsanya Street in Surulere, and in several shops in Central Lagos. There are leather works in Jos (Plateau), pottery in Bida (Niger State) and Umuahia (Abia State) and raffia products in Akwa lbom and Cross River States).

Areas of Art and Craft Work

1. Wood and Cane works - (cane chairs, table flower vase, and masks, Lagos

2. Wood carvings and raffia works - bags, sandals, folders, wallets, tapestery etc - Ikot Ekpene.

3. Calabash carving/decorations- Oyo and Kano.

4. Leatherworks - bags, wallets, folders, sandals puffs and other sovemirs. - Oyo, Kano, Sokoto, Jos and other parts of the North.

5. Brass works, bangles, wristlets, necklace, rings etc - Bida and Minna.

6. Bronze carving, casting - lgun Street, Benin City

7. Pottery - Jugs, pots, bowls - Bida, llorin, Abuja, Oke-Eri (Ogun), Umuahia.

For the visitor who is interested in other goods, the general markets which are found in every city offer a wide range of chioces. Generally, in rural and urban markets, prices are not fixed and the ability to haggle for selling/buying price is often helpful. The merchant shrewd in the art of salemanship usually wins the battle, though most often the prices are reduced and the customer goes away feeling that he has won. The idea is that neither the buyer nor the seller loses face.

Some ot the most notable markets around the country are:

Alaba Market, Lagos. Tejuosho Market, Lagos Aswani Market, Lagos. Onitsha Main Market, Onitsha Ariaria Market, Aba Kasuwa Kurmi Market, Kano Wuse Market, Abuja Watt Market, Calabar Gwagwalada Market, Gwagwalada, P.C.T. Jos Main market, Jos.

Where To Stay:

Nigeria offers good accommodation in international -class hotels as well as in moderate hotels and guest houses. Hotels in Nigeria are being officially classified, but there are international chains such as Sheraton, Hilton and the Sofitel, offering luxurious accommodation. There are also other luxurious hotels whose charges are in the same range as the international hotel chains (See Appendix 13.4 Tipping: A service charge of 10 per cent is added automatically to restaurant and hotel bills, plus a 5 per cent government tax: so tipping is unnecessary unless service is exceptionally good and if you want to.

THINGS AND PLACES TO SEE

When you arrive in Nigeria you begin a journey of enchantment. The country has a lot to offer every visitor. Places of interest across the country are as follows:

Lagos:

The National Museum: This is one of the best in Africa and definitely worth seeing. The Benin bronzes are the star attraction. Others are the numerous wooden doorways, masks (some covering the entire body) and house posts. It is open every day, from 9 am to 6 pm, except Sunday.

The Tafawa Balewa Square: This is a huge arena adorned by gargantuan horses. You'll find most ot Lagos airline offices and travel agencies on one side of the square and shops and restaurants on the other.

Portuguese and Brazilian Style Building: Some of the city's most interesting buildings are the old Portuguese houses of the late 19th early the 20th centuries. Most notable is the dilapidated Ilojo Bar at 2 Bamgbose Street, which runs into Tinubu Square. It was built by a successful slave family who returned home to Nigeria from Brazil. The style is Gothic, with attractive arched doorways and windows and iron balustrades. Other fine examples of Brazilian architecture can be found in central Lagos.

lga ldungaran:

The official residence of the Oba (King) of Lagos, built during the 18th century. The old part of the Oba's Palace is built of mud, with bronze pillars and the original parlour. For inspection, call the Secretary (Tel: 656397).

The National Theatre:

Opened in 1976 for the 2nd World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC), is the huge oval building you'll find while approaching central Lagos from the airport. Call the Theatre (Tel: 830200) or consult the local newspapers for events such as dance, film and drama.

Muson Centre:

This is a modern centre in the as in heart of Lagos where facilities are always in place for weekend or periodic concerts and music. It offers visitors the opportunity to watch international artistes. Popular music such as jazz, blues, gospel and classical music are performed here by popular Nigerian musicians and artistes.

Bar Beach on Victoria Island:

This is the most popular beach not far from the Eko Meridian hotel. Because it is crowded at weekends, most expatriates prefer Tarkwa Bay (low undertow) and, Lighthouse Beach (strong undertow), both across the harbour. Speed boats are available on weekends and holidays. You will find them along Eleke Crescent on Victoria island, just across from the Russian and American Embassies.

Lekkl Conservation Centre:

This was established, maintained and financed by Chevron Project for Environmental Support of the country. It conserves the animal and plant (including bird) species within the habitat. It has children's play ground and The several rest places.

Lekkl Beach: A long stretch of sandy beach It is brought by the breaking waves. Equally fascinating iday. are the huge sand and the coconut palms which provide shade for visitors. Periodic concerts and luge music festivals are staged here. It is always preferred by visitors because of its remoteness from is on the hustle and bubble of Bar beach, and because it has wide space and privacy.

University of Lagos Lagoon Front:

This has been developed into a tourist attraction. It is a high- starts right from the gate and extends for over 1 1/2 km to the Vice Chancellor's lodge. Apart from the lagoon waters which are over-looked by the tower- ing Third Mainland Bridge, the forest contains vari- ety of trees, and numerous red-nosed monkeys found only in this environment in Lagos.

The monkeys can be sited at convenience from the Arts Block building. Other facilities are boat cruising, fishing and play ground for children. By the Lagoon front stands the University of Lagos Guesthouse, which offers international standard accommodation and swimming pool facilities for adults and children.

Abuja: Abuja, Nigeria's new capital city, offers unlimited opportunities for rock climbers.The Gawa Hills and Gwagwa Hills near Suleja, the Chukuku hills and the Agwai hills, and the famous Aso Rock hold strong attractions for all lovers of nature. Other attractions are the International Conference Centre, the National Mosque whose architectural design is still one of the best in the Muslim world, and the NICON Hilton Hotel, with about 700 highly furnished rooms and suites. As a fast growing city, there is much to be seen in terms of architectural design and landscape development. The architectural masterpieces include the National Assembly Complex, Eagle Square, the Ship House and the Federal Secretariat.

Akwa lbom

Ibeno Beach- an extensive beach which bor- ders the Atlantic Ocean.Mobil Oil Tank farm; - Oron Museum and a one and half hour ferry ride to Calabar; Raffia works and Handicraft Centre at Ikot Ekpene. Adamawa Lamido's (Emir's) Palace, Yola Anambra Ogbunike and Ajali caves. lgbo-Ukwu archeological site and museum. - Rojeny Tourist Centre, Oba.with catering, sports and recreational facilities. Bauchi Yankari National Park and Games Reserve, including the Wikki Natural-Warm Spring. The Grave of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the first Nigerian prime Minister of Independent Nigeria. Borno - Lake Chad sanctuary, - Kukawa (Tomb of the Shehus)

Cross River Old Residency- now Calabar Musei - Obudu Cattle Ranch and Hotels - Agbokim and Kwa Falls

Edo - Oba's Palace and old city walls in Benin - Benin Museum

Enugu- Nike Lake Resort. - Coal mines at Okpara, Onyeama and lva Valley - Zoo and botanical gardens

Ekiti- Ikogosi Warm spring, a phenomenal belching out of warm water and meeting of cold water short distance away.

Imo- Oguta Lake - Zoological gardens at Nekede. - Mbari art in Aboh Mbaise

Kaduna- Emir's Palace at Zaria - Gobarau Towers - Nok culture- Terra cotta.

Kano- Bagauda-Tiga holiday centre - Kano Zoological gardens.

Katsina- Kusugu well and the Legendary Bayajida swore - Gobaru minaret.

Kebbi- Lord Lugard's residence and office, Lokoja - Graves of deposed and exiled Emirs of Kano, Zaria and Bida and those of Colonial officers and WAFF soldiers.

Kwara- Aso-Oke weaving centre - llorin - Pategi regatta - Mungo Park's ship o Jebba

Niger- Kainji Dam - Gurara Falls - Shiroro HEP Dam - Masagu brassworks , Bida

Ogun- Olumo Rock, Abeokuta - Shrine of Brikisu Sungbo - Tie and dye cloth (Adire) Abeokuta.

Ondo- Idanre Hills - Owo Museum of Antiquities - Ebomi Lake - Ibesi Akoko

Osun- lfe Museum and Ooni's palace - Erin-ljesha water-falls

Oyo- University of lbadan Zoological Gardens - International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

Plateau- Jos Museum, and Nok terra cotta heads and artifacts. - Jos wildlife Park and Zoo - Museum of tin mining, and the fields - Wase Rock, a towering vulcanic, and the Plateau landscape

Rivers- Isaac Boro Amusement park - Slave Port (Brass and Bonny)

Sokoto- Gorony Dam - Othman Dan Fodio Tomb (Hubbare)

Taraba- Gashaka/Gumpti Games Reserves - Mambilla Plateau Tourist Centre.

NIGHT LIFE IN MAJOR CITIES Night life in some Nigerian cities may not be as vibrant as what you would find in Bangkok, Rio de Janerio or Las Vegas. But be assured that nights in Nigerian cities are not long dreary spells of darkness. However, Nigeria is a multi-ethnic, secular state and each city may want to put some limits to urban excesses within its jurisdiction. As a result, in some cities night life may be regulated due to sociocultural and religious differences. For example, while there may be a burstling night life with discoteques in some cities, such activities may be restricted or banned in some others. Some hotels may not serve alcohol while discoteque and gambling may be completely regulated.

Some hotel managements may in their hotels' club houses organise discoteque, or show foreign or local films on in-house entertainment television. Nigerian films/videos have been graded for particu lar audiences, so look out for such information before viewing them. Indigenous films may be in English or in local languages but, in the case of the latter, with English captions and interpretated lines.

Lagos offers excellent restaurants, discoteques, film houses and hotels for visitors. The city offers excellent restaurants serving a diversity of cuisines. The finest restaurants are in big hotels but other pleasant places can be found all over the city, particularly along Awolowo Road in Ikoyi, Akin Adesola in Victoria Island, Alien Avenue in Ikeja and Adeniran Ogunsanya Street in Surulere. Best African cuisines, such as Eba and foofoo with veg- etable soup such as Edikang Ikong, Egusi, Okro, Bangaa.n(l pounded yam with white soup or pepper soup and bush meat or fish are available in all the restaurants. Well treated 'goat head', Isi-ewu, and re fish pepper soup are special delicacies. Continental dishes are also served. Chinese restaurants where different oriental dishes are served are found in many locations in Lagos. id Snack bars with barbecue spots are also found in major streets of Lagos. Delicious snacks and drinks are served. Popular names are Mr. Biggs, Murphis Burger, KAS Favo'urites, and Sweet ie Sensation. There are also popular 'joints' in towns where suya is sold with traditional drinks like paimwine, and kunu.

Lagos has a poor cinema culture but a few cin- ema houses may be found in densely populated areas of Yaba, Agege, Mushin, Orile Iganmu and central Lagos. Although their popularity has dwin- dled with the advent of video houses and clubs, many people, particularly the youths, still patronise them. Most cinema houses run three shows daily at S.OOpm, 6.00pm and 9.00pm. Sometimes, shows may last as late as tl.OOpm and may com- mence as early as 12.00 noon. Indian, American and Chinese films are popular.

Live performances by indigenous stage dance troupes and theatre groups are organised on regu- lar basis at the National Theatre, Iganmu and the is University of Lagos Auditorium. Interested persons ie can find out what is playing from newspapers, bill in boards, public walls, radio and Television or by call- k- ing the National Theatre (Tel- 830220). ar Discomania was part of the Lagos night in the to early 1970s, when discoteques and night clubs in were found at almost every street corner. But over i- the last two decades, the novelty seems to have a, worn off. Some of the best night clubs are now in 5- top hotels but equally entertaining are such joints as ie Nightshift in Ikeja; Lord's in Maryland; Sunrise, Is Victoria Island and Peak in Surulere.

i- Seasonal shows, organised by private organi- zations in conjunction with popular radio and televi- s' sion stations have become regular features in most in Nigerian cities. These take place especially at the i. National Stadium, Tafawa Balewa Square and J- Lekki Beach, all in Lagos during major holidays and in festivals, such as Christmas, Easter and Sallah holidays.

Already established stars and up-coming ones are always on stage with different types of mus including traditional juju and fuji, High life, Regga Afro/rock, Rap and Blues. The Muson Centre Onikan, Lagos, also holds periodic music conce) with popular Jazz and classical musicians pianists on stage. For lovers of gospel music, que terly festivals are held every year at the Nation Stadium or the Tafawa Balewa Square. In rece years, some Christian organisations have ad organised gospel music shows on occasions lit Easter and Christmas, featuring both local and fc eign artists and drawing large crowds.

Lagos is certainly not as dangerous as hi been portrayed in some tourist guides. Democrac and the freedom that goes with it, are back ar have further enhanced the usually liberal atmo phere of the city. But like everywhere else in tl- world, the visitor must excercise some care. Do n walk around alone. Carry your passport along all times, in case you are required to identify yourself; otherwise, relax and have a pleasant night.

Another vibrant city in the south-west of Nigeria is lbadan - one of the largest cities in Africa and the root of traditional juju and fuji music. It has an active night life close to that of Lagos. It is largely a traditional city and street parties are common at weekends. The University of Ibadan Theatre has a long history of periodic performances. Popular plays and shows are open to the public for a fee.

Enugu, in the south-west of the country, is quite peaceful at night and offers various places of relaxation apart from its major hotels.

The oil cities of Port Harcourt, Warn, Eket and Calabar also offer very peaceful and exciting nights. There are little or no restrictions. Parties and discoteaues are alive till dawn, especially at the night clubs. There is the igae, Shell Club, run by Shell oil company in Port Harcourt and Mobil Pegasus clubs in Eket and Warri, which are the best in these parts of the country, in terms of management and equipment. Though the clubs cater primarily for oil companies, staff, visitors are usually allowed through consultation with the management.

Jos and Kaduna in the north also offer exciticiting night life. Jos has over 10 standard hotels which discoteques. It is one of the cities with the highest concentrations of foreign workers and tourists. In contrast, Abuja and Kano have very, slow night life. This is quite understandable. Abuja and the country's new capital, is still an infant city and would require a long time for such activities to pick up. The private organisers of musical concerts and other shows have just started penetrating Abuja from Lagos. Kano, though a cosmopolitan city, is also one in which the tenets of Islam are rigidly upheld. Night life is slow and social activities are highly restricted. Alcohol and discoteques are banned here except inside the major hotels, where there are clubs. Visitors are strongly advised abide by the laws operative within the area.

Source(http://www.onlinenigeria.com/)