Nigeria travel guide

Overview

Nigeria is West Africa's largest economy and its most populous country, and trips here tend to be shaped by purpose more than a fixed tourist trail — business in Lagos or Abuja, visiting family, or a mix of both. Lagos is the commercial capital: dense, fast-moving, and spread across the mainland and Lagos Island, with Victoria Island and Ikoyi as common bases for business travellers. Abuja, the federal capital, is calmer and more spread out, built as a planned city with wide roads and government buildings.

The dry season (November to March) brings the most predictable weather for travel around the country, while the rainy season (April to October) can bring heavy downpours, particularly in the south. Traffic in Lagos is a genuine factor in planning your day — build in more time than you think you'll need between meetings or airport transfers.

Getting around

• Murtala Muhammed International Airport (Lagos) and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (Abuja) are the main international gateways
• Domestic flights connect Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and other major cities and are generally faster than road travel between them
• Ride-hailing apps operate in Lagos and Abuja and are a common way to get around cities
• Lagos traffic is notoriously heavy at peak times — plan airport transfers with a wide time buffer

Mobile data and connectivity

A BrisqNet eSIM for Nigeria gives you mobile data on arrival without needing to find a local SIM vendor or provide identification for local SIM registration. Compare live Nigeria plans in the BrisqNet catalogue, install before you fly, and switch on the data line once you land.

• Confirm your device is eSIM-compatible and unlocked before you travel
• Install the eSIM while you have reliable Wi-Fi, ideally before you leave
• Coverage is strongest in Lagos, Abuja, and other major cities; expect more variability in rural areas
• Keep your regular SIM in the second slot if you need to stay reachable on your usual number

If you're travelling to Nigeria regularly for business or family visits, BrisqNet's reusable eSIM model means you install once and simply add new data for each future trip.

Practical tips

• The currency is the Nigerian naira; carry some cash, as card acceptance varies outside major hotels and malls
• Payments via bank transfer apps are extremely common locally, alongside card and cash
• Bottled or filtered water is the safer choice for drinking
• Confirm any vaccination or health requirements with a travel clinic well before your trip

FAQs