LOCAL ESSENTIALS

LOCAL CULTURE

Hotels and restaurants have a 10%service charge, 5% VAT and 5%ax on bills. Although not customary, please feel free to add an additional tip.

Lagos has a tropical wet and dry climate; temperatures average around 28 degrees with high humidity. The main dry season occurs in November to February which is accompanied by Harmattan winds blowing from the Sahara. Lagos experiences two rainy seasons in a year between April-July and October-November. Light clothing is advised due to the humidity and heat.

Immigration Requirements

It is imperative for foreigners coming into Nigeria to have a “Yellow fever vaccination card" - an Immigration requirement to gain entry into Nigeria.

DID YOU KNOW ?

Culture

Yoruba is the most dominant tribe in the South-Western part of Nigeria and music culturally plays an important role in society. The talking drum ( Dun Dun) is the traditional instrument of the Yoruba’s. It is an hour glass shaped drum carved out of wood and leather cords that allows it to tweak and mimic the tone and parosdy of the Yoruba language. A skilled player can play a whole conversation.

History

Lagos as the “state of the Aquatic Splendor" was discovered by the Portuguese explorers, as a trading post which they called “Lago De Curamo”. In 1861 the British renamed it Lagos. Since 1960, Lagos was the capital of Nigeria, until 1994 - when the capital was moved to Abuja.

Language

The official spoken language in Nigeria is English. There are 521 local languages spoken within the 36 states. The three major tribal languages are Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo commonly known as“WA-ZO-BIA”. WA which is Yoruba, ZO is Hausa and BIA is Igbo which all means come (together). Nigerian Pidgin English is also used informally and often as a second language by the locals. The origins of the language date back to early trade when returning descendants from the West Indies brought back phrases and words that were incorporated forming a new informal language.