What Nigeria has to offer

Officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the country comprises thirty-six states and one Federal Capital Territory. Located in West Africa it shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in the north. In the south it has coast on the Gulf of Guinea, part of the Atlantic Ocean. Abuja is the capital city.

Africa's most populous country, Nigeria has 148 million inhabitants, with a median age of just over 19 years of age.

Although Abuja is the capital, probably the best know city in Nigeria, and the largest, is Lagos, which used to be the capital. It has more than 8 million inhabitants, and is estimated to be the seventh fastest growing city in the world. A huge metropolis which originated on islands separated by creeks, Lagos is protected from the Atlantic Ocean by long sand spits such as Bar Beach.

English is the official language, with Islam and Christianity as the leading religions.

There are four international airports for flights to Nigeria:
• Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at Abuja
• Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport at Kano
• Murtala Muhammed International Airport at Lagos
• Port Harcourt International Airport at Port Harcourt

Two of these are served by British Operators. British Airways fly to Abuja and Lagos; and Virgin Nigeria fly to Lagos. Virgin Nigeria was formed in September 2004 when the Federal Government of Nigeria announced that Virgin Atlantic Airways would be its strategic investor and technical partner. The airline is 51% owned by Nigerian institutional investors and 49% by Virgin Atlantic.

Whatever your interests, Nigeria will have something for you. From sandy beaches, pepper-soups and unspoilt wildlife parks to addictive Afro-beats music.

Nigeria has many natural attractions ranging from hills, waterfalls, springs to lakes and mountains across the length and breadth of the Country.

Man-made attractions in Nigeria have been created to provide relaxation. Examples include Obudu Ranch, Whispering Palms, Gembu Resort, Chammah Park and Rayfield Resort.