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Cars 4 Rental Information on  Nigeria

General Area: 923,768 sq km (356,669 sq miles). Population: 115,224,000 (official estimate 2000). Population Density: 124.7 per sq km. Capital: Abuja. Population: 403,000 (1999). GEOGRAPHY: Nigeria has borders with Niger to the north, Chad (across Lake Chad) to the northeast, Cameroon to the east and Benin to the west. To the south, the Gulf of Guinea is indented by the Bight of Benin and the Bight of Biafra. The country’s topography and vegetation vary considerably. The coastal region is a low-lying area of lagoons, sandy beaches and mangrove swamps, which merges into an area of rainforest where palm trees grow to over 30m (100ft). From here, the landscape changes to savannah and open woodland, rising to the Central Jos Plateau at 1800m (6000ft). The northern part of the country is desert and semi-desert, marking the southern extent of the Sahara. Government: Republic since 1963. Gained independence from the UK in 1960. Military regime from 1983-1999. Head of State and Government: President Matthew Olusegun Obasanjo since 1999. Language: The official language is English. A variation of English (Pidgin English) is also spoken. The three main Nigerian languages are Yoruba, Ibo (also spelt Igbo) and Hausa; another 400 languages are also spoken in the country. Religion: 50 per cent Muslim, 40 per cent Christian and 10 per cent traditional beliefs. Muslims are in the majority in the north and west of the country, while in the south Christians form the majority of the population. Time: GMT + 1. Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Single phase. Communications: Telephone Full IDD is available. Country code: 234. Outgoing international code: 009. Mobile telephone GSM 900 and 1800 networks. Network operators include Econet Wireless Nigeria Ltd and NITEL GSM. Internet Internet and e-mail services are available in Internet cafes in Lagos. ISPs include Microcom Systems Ltd (website: www.micro.com.ng). Fax Available in large hotels. Telegram International telegraph services are operated by Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) in all large cities. Post Airmail to Europe is unreliable and takes up to 3 weeks. Delivery may be more reliable through international couriers who are represented in major towns. Press English-language newspapers include the Daily Sketch, the Daily Times, the Guardian, the National Concord, New Nigerian, the Nigerian Tribune, the Post Express, This Day and the Vanguard. Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online. Back to Top Money Currency: Naira (N) = 100 kobo. Notes are in denominations of N500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of N1. Currency exchange: The government of Nigeria has fixed an artificially high rate for local currency (the Naira) in terms of its value in exchange for foreign currencies. However, trading on the black market is extremely dangerous and could lead to arrest. Therefore, visitors are advised to exchange currency at the official rate and at approved exchange facilities, which often include major hotels. Inter-bank transfers are frequently difficult, if not impossible, to accomplish. Credit & debit cards: American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are rarely accepted in Nigeria and, because of the prevalence of credit card fraud, their use is ill-advised. Travellers cheques: Travellers cheques are generally not recommended. Currency restrictions: Import of local currency is limited to N20 in notes and must be declared on arrival. Export of local currency is restricted to N20 in notes. Import of foreign currency is unlimited, but it must be declared on arrival; export is limited to the amount declared. Penalties for black market transactions are severe. Exchange rate indicators The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Naira against Sterling and the US Dollar: Date Aug ’03 Nov ’03 Feb '04 May '04 £1.00= 208.21 225.27 249.10 243.18 $1.00= 130.54 132.75 136.85 136.15 Banking hours: Mon 0800-1500, Tue-Fri 0800-1330. There are over 80 commercial banks. The Government owns 60 per cent of all foreign banks. Back to Top Health   Special Precautions Certificate Required Yellow Fever Yes 1 Cholera Yes 2 Typhoid and Polio 3 N/A Malaria 4 N/A 1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required by travellers over 1 year of age arriving within 6 days from infected areas. Travellers arriving from non-endemic zones should note that vaccination is strongly recommended for travel outside the urban areas, even if an outbreak of the disease has not been reported and they would normally not require a vaccination certificate to enter the country. The risk of contracting yellow fever is highest in Lagos and Kaduna states. Contact Embassy/High Commission for exact details of vaccination requirements prior to travel. 2: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to Nigeria. However, evidence of cholera vaccination is required by certain nationals before they may enter the country (check with the nearest Nigerian Embassy) and vaccination is therefore advised. Cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination, as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness; see the Health appendix for further information. 3: Polio and typhoid both occur. 4: Malaria risk exists all year throughout the country. The predominant falciparum strain has been reported to be resistant to chloroquine. Food & drink: All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Other risks: Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Hepatitis A, B, C and E are present; precautions should be taken. Meningococcal meningitis, leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis and onchocerciasis (river blindness) occur. TB and Dengue fever also occur and HIV is a risk. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix. Health care: The government-provided health care facilities are of a poor standard and are subject to shortages of drugs, equipment, materials and even electricity. It is advisable to take a sufficient supply of drugs or medication to meet personal needs. However, there are some adequate private facilities where the standards approach those of Europe. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. There is no reciprocal health agreement with the UK. Medical insurance is essential. Back to Top Climate Varies from area to area. The southern coast is hot and humid with a rainy season from March to November. During the dry season, the Harmattan wind blows from the Sahara. The north’s rainy season is from July to September. Nights can be cold in December and January. Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens are worn, with a warm wrap advisable in the north. Rainwear is essential during the rainy season. Back to Top Passport   Passport Required Visa Required Return Ticket Required British Yes Yes Yes Australian Yes Yes Yes Canadian Yes Yes Yes USA Yes Yes Yes OtherEU Yes Yes Yes Japanese Yes Yes Yes PASSPORTS: Passport valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond the date of departure required by all. VISAS: Required by all except the following: (a) nationals of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Cte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo for stays of up to 90 days; (b) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport, except for nationals of the USA who require a transit visa. Note: Children under 16 years of age accompanying their parents residing in Nigeria (provided the name of such a child is entered in the passport of one of the parents) do not require visas, but must, however, complete one application form accompanied by a photo. All children holding their own passport must have separate visas or re-entry permits. Types of visa and cost: Tourist, Business: £45 (single-entry); £75 (multiple-entry). Transit: £45. The prices quoted are for UK nationals; visa costs depend on nationality. Nationals of some African countries receive visas free of charge. Contact High Commission or Consular section at Embassy for further information. Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy or High Commission); see Contact Addresses section. Application requirements: (a) One completed application form. (b) Passport. (c) One passport-size photo. (d) Fee, which at present must be paid by postal order. (e) Onward or return ticket for Tourist visas. (f) Paid registered post return envelope if applying by post. Business: (a)-(f) and, (g) Letter of introduction from a company or a resident of Nigeria, accepting immigration responsibility for applicant; any Nigerian inviting a visitor must attach photocopies of the first five pages of his/her own passport, while a resident must enclose a copy of his/her residence permit. Working days required: 2 (if applying in person); 7 (postal applications). 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Cars 4 Rental can provide car hire vehicles in all the popular locations throughout Nigeria.

Whatever your requirements Cars 4 Rental will be able to provide a car to meet your needs. Our hire cars can be equipped with many optional extras including child seats so that your car rental is ideally suited to your needs.

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