'''Abuja''' is the capital of Nigeria. Since most Nigerian government agencies are now headquartered in Abuja, and most other countries' embassies have been relocated from Lagos to Abuja, it is a surprisingly expensive city.

Understand

Abuja is a beautiful city. One of few purpose-built cities in the world planned and built from scratch. It has an excellent road network, a beautiful rolling terrain and modern Nigerian architecture. Power is often erratic.

Get in

By plane

International flights to the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport are offered by several airlines, notably, KLM, Luftansa and British Airways. If arriving from the US, Delta Air Lines has a direct flight from Atlanta starting in June of 2009. Many visitors fly through connecting flights from Lagos. Nigeria has had a series of unfortunate air accidents in recent history. While the industry is being overhauled and aviation safety is being upgraded, only a handful of local airlines are reliable: Virgin Nigeria, Bellview, AeroContractors. Arik Air has embarked on an ambitious programme that would see several brand new jetliners, including the new Boeing 787 dreamliner added to its fleet.

From the airport, you are best advised to take the official Green Cab (usually relatively new Peugeot 307 vehicles). You are advised to board the cab with only people you know.

By bus

You can travel to Abuja by bus from major cities like Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt. Reliable services include: ABC Transport (with airconditioned luxurious bus rides), Ekene Dili Chukwu, Chisco Transport (CTN) and Young Shall Grow. The preferred bus service would be ABC transport. However, you are advised to take only day trip buses from Lagos or Kano. You must be conscious that bus trips are not the safest as in rare situations buses have been attacked by robbers. If you're unfamiliar with the country, do not take a bus without an escort. Buses allow you to appreciate the terrain, the towns and cities and the subtle changes in these and culture as you drive towards the capital either from the South or the North.

Get around

By car

Occasionally, traffic lights stop working during outages and road marshals are deployed to critical intersections. Abuja has a few strict driving laws that are enforced. Seat belts are required of both the driver and front seat passenger. Failure to obey this law leads to significant inconveniences as the vehicle is impounded and not released until the fine is paid. Drivers don't typically observe lanes within the city, and often attempt to squeeze in what might seem to be dangerously close to your vehicle.In some cases they may drive on the sidewalks. Traffic accidents are frequent, so drive defensively. Occasionally, drivers from other parts of the country that are unfamiliar with the driving culture in the city try to beat traffic lights. If you're driving, keep an eye out for other motorists, especially at intersections, who may try to beat the traffic light.

See

Abuja is a beautiful city. The tourist attractions would be:

  • The Abuja Millennium Park
  • The National Mosque
  • The Ecumenical Center
  • National Assembly Complex
  • Aso Rock
  • The Abuja Millennium Park is being expanded in an ambitious tourist project to include the Millennium Tower and a Cultural Center and Museum that would boast of some of the most expansive collections of African Art. The new scheme would open before 2010 (update -- as of February 2009, the Millenium tower isstill several years from completion).

    Other upcoming projects include the Heritage City Theme Park that would be the largest theme park of African civilizations. The first phase would be open in 2008/2009.

    Do

  • Go shopping at '''Wuse Market''', the main market in Abuja. Everything is available, from fresh food to clothes, music, and electronics. And as markets go, not expensive.
  • Art & Craft village (across the road from Sheraton Hotel)

    Buy

    There is some interesting artwork all over Abuja. Wood carvings, paintings and leatherwork. Everything is available in surrounding countries quite a bit cheaper, but if you are here you might as well buy it here.

    Eat

    Budget

  • '''Good Luck''' Food prices in Abuja are high, especially for Western food. There are, however, many good restaurants in Abuja that are arguably worth the money. Of course, whether you live in Abuja or are just visiting, there are times when you are willing to pay a little extra for the simple fact that there are few to no alternatives.
  • Mid-range

  • '''Schwarma Shop''', adjacent to Amigos Supermarket, Wuse II. 600 Naira for Schwarmas and they offer pizzas for somewhere around 1000 Naira.
  • '''Southern Fried Chicken'''. A local knockoff of KFC, but ask them to go easy on the mayo.
  • '''Mr. Biggs'''. All over. Burgers.
  • '''Schwarma Shop''', adjacent to 212 Supermarket, Usuma St., Maitama. These Schwarmas have cabbage on them. About same price as the one by Amigos
  • '''City View''', Cape Town Street, Off IBB Way, Wuse Zone 4. Perhaps the best Lebanese food in Abuja, excellent prices, they also host large groups, indoor or outdoor sitting.
  • '''Ceddi Plaza''' has a fast food Chicken restaurant on Second Floor - and Ice Cream
  • '''Drumstix''', Aminu Kano Crescent. Fast food, Nigerian dishes, Grill, Shawarma and Ice cream.
  • '''Tantalizers''' Burgers. All over.
  • '''Cafe at Grand Square''', Mohammadu Buhari Way.
  • '''Cafe at Dunes''', Aguiyi Ironsi Street, one on the main floor and one upstairs. Yeah!!
  • '''British Council Rooftop Cafe''', IBB Way (at a big roundabout). Open air restaurant with good pizzas and italian meats
  • '''MrPickup.biz''', Delivery service. Picks up your orders and brings to you for a small fee! +234 (0) 702 828 6771.
  • Splurge

  • '''Ciao''', Jitau Plaza, Plot 1173, Ademola Agetokunbo Crescent, After AP plaza, Wuse II. A good Italian restaurant with the usual Italian dishes. Expect to pay around 2000 Naira for a dinner with wine. Good Pizzas, but AJ's have more to them.
  • '''AJ's Pizza''', adjacent to the Park and Shop in Wuse II, Aminu Kano Crescent, call your order in before you get there 0803 314 0469 or 0804 410 4567, if your order 5 pizzas, ask for free juice.
  • '''Thai Chi Royal Thai Cuisine''', The Penthouse, Safire Plaza, Adetokumbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II (''next to Verdict Plaza''), tel. 09 523 6798 / 09 670 6470 (''for deliveries''). Very good, Amazing real Thai food, just like being in Bangkok! 500-1000 for Appetizers. 1000-2500 Naira for main dishes and 2500-3500 for Seafood. Also has cocktail bar.
  • '''Chopsticks''', Plot 66 Mississippi St, Maitama. Good Chinese food, a couple can probably share one order of a main dish and either rice or noodles. 2000+ Naira for main dishes. Has cocktail bar.
  • '''Sitar''', 46 Usuma St, Maitama. Indian food.
  • '''Wakkis''', Like Sitar but more reasonable prices, this might be considered moderate instead of Splurge. Amino Kano Crescent, follow signs, Wuse II. 1500-2500 main dishes, good seafood. Amazing King Prawns!
  • '''Blakes''', Fish bar, add unknown, Garki District.
  • '''Ubudu Grill Steakhouse at the Sheraton''' You won't spend less than $50 USD here, but the steaks are excellent.
  • '''Chez Victor''' Reasonably high quality French food and some francophone African dishes such as yassa poulet. Sandwiches with lunchtime specials. Nice house converted into comfortable restaurant. Nigerian owned. 2000+ Naira for main dishes. Ganges Street off Alvan Ikoku Way, Maitama. Next to NEPAD Nigeria offices.
  • '''Al Basha''' Thai food and Pizzas, Expensive, Sassandra Street, off Usuma St, Maitama
  • '''LaZeez Place''' Recently Opened, Usuma Street, Maitama.
  • '''Golf Course''' Has a restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, would be a good place to have large group gathering, not called Golf Course, but that is where it is.
  • Drink

    Drinks are available all over Abuja and are very overpriced. Average $20 US for some mixed drinks. 5-9 dollars for a local beer. Buy beer from the Market and you will save a lot of money. The major hotels have bars and restaurants - watch out for the prostitutes, if you ignore them, they get really offended. If you are not interested, just say so and have a short conversation, then they will leave you alone.

  • '''Ceddi Plaza''' Has a bar on the basement level.
  • '''Blakes''' Has live music or a DJ and drinks as well as the fish bar
  • '''British Village''' Requires a membership to enter and is popular during different sporting events, especially during soccer games and rugby.
  • '''Tucano's''' is in Asokoro - a night club
  • Orchard Garden. Local outdoor place near Millenium Park, set in a grove. Beer around 250N, small BBQ serving e.g. whole grilled fish for 2000N.

    Sleep

    Budget

    Mid range

  • '''Rockview''' A little dreary but decent. Has gym, tennis courts, pool. The pool bar menu has some better offerings than the bar or restaurant.
  • Bolingo Hotel Rakesh

    kings inn hotel,41 lobito crescent wuse 2. big bite as land mark and new UK visa application centre adjacent opposite

    Splurge

    Decent hotels in Abuja tend to cost above 200 US dollars per night.

  • '''Sheraton'''
  • '''Transcorp-Hilton'''
  • '''Dunes'''
  • '''Protea Hotels''' All over the city.
  • Stay safe

    Abuja tends to be a sharp contrast against the background of the rest of Nigeria. While car hijackings and armed robbery are high in Lagos, and kidnapping of foreign oil workers is prevalent in the Niger delta, Abuja in sharp contrast, is one of the safest metropolitan cities on the continent.

    General security measures like elsewhere in the world should be observed. Like anywhere else in the world, it's always a good idea to have company when exploring unfamiliar places. If you're driving, observe simple measures like keeping your car door locked when parked to avoid opportunistic crime. Armed robbery at gun point is the most prevalent form of crime. A calm disposition and full cooperation with robbers is the best line of action in the unlikely event that you are the victim of a robbery. Robbers tend to become violent when victims try to pull tricks. Contact your embassy in Abuja and the police if you are robbed. Occasional pick pockets target mobile phones and wallets as well. Do not carry large amounts of cash. Usually, $250 cash (or N30,000) would more than suffice for impulsive purchases and other daily costs.

    When moving in Abuja, as a foreign visitor, you are best advised to use the official Green Cabs. There's a remote chance that privately operated unofficial cabs could be traps. Cab fares would vary between N200 ($1.50) and N500 ($4) for trips within the city. Cab rides to the airport are significantly higher. Negotiate a fare once you enter a cab.

    Get out