From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL INFORMATION -- Nigeria
Date: 7 Jan 1993 21:32:33 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Nigeria
============================================================
Nigeria - Consular Information Sheet
 December 24, 1992

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy is Located at 2 Eleke Crescent, 
Victoria Island in Lagos, the largest city in Nigeria.  The 
telephone number is (234-1) 610097.  There is a U.S. Consulate 
General in Kaduna at 2 Maska Road, telephone (234-62) 201070.

Country Description:  Nigeria is the largest country in west 
Africa.  Facilities for tourism are limited.  The Department of 
Commerce has issued advisories to the U.S. business community on 
doing business in Nigeria.  The paragraph on commercial fraud in 
this Consular Information Sheet provides additional details.

Entry Requirements:  A passport and visa are required of U.S. 
citizens and all other foreigners.  Airport visas are not available. 
 Promises of entry into Nigeria without a visa are credible 
indicators of a fraudulent commercial scheme in which the 
perpetrators seek to exploit the foreign traveler's illegal presence 
in Nigeria with threats of extortion or bodily harm.  Furthermore, 
U.S. citizens cannot legally depart Nigeria unless they can prove, 
by presenting their visa, that they entered Nigeria legally.  
Evidence of yellow fever and cholera vaccinations are also required. 
 Current information on entry requirements can be obtained at the 
Embassy of the Republic of Nigeria, 2201 M Street N.W. in 
Washington, D.C. 20037 at telephone (202) 822-1500, or at the 
Nigerian Consulate General in New York.

Airport Safety:  A September 1992 Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA) security survey determined that the international airport in 
Lagos did not meet the minimum security standards of the 
International Civil Aviation Organization.  The FAA has issued a 
public notice to this effect.  Nigerian newspapers have reported 
that the radar systems at several airports are not functioning.  The 
paragraph on information on crime in this Consular Information Sheet 
provides information concerning crime in airports.

Areas of Instability:  In the region of Wukari (local government 
area of Taraba State) near the Benue State Border (approximately 150 
miles southeast of the city of Jos), there are reports of numerous 
deaths resulting from violent clashes between local groups over 
long-standing land disputes.  Travelers have been stopped and 
attacked at random.  Information on current conditions in that 
region may be obtained from the U.S. Embassy at Lagos, the Consulate 
General at Kaduna and/or local Nigerian government authorities.

Civil Unrest:  Nigeria has experienced civil unrest and violence 
from time to time.  The causes and locations vary.  Locations where 
outbreaks of violence occurred include the Lagos area and parts of 
the state of Kaduna.  There has been recent labor unrest in various 
parts of the country and flare-ups in various local markets.  
Although U.S. citizens are not specifically targeted and were not 
involved in these recent disturbances, they and their vehicles could 
be inadvertently caught up in a demonstration or riot.  Presidential 
elections are scheduled for June 1993.  This electoral process could 
result in heightened tensions.  Travelers can check with the U.S. 
Embassy in Lagos or the Consulate General in Kaduna regarding dates, 
locations and any specific guidance that may be relevant.

Medical Facilities:  A variety of diseases pose a serious health 
threat.  The public is not always informed in a timely manner about 
outbreaks of typhoid, cholera and yellow fever.  Malaria, including 
cerebral malaria, and hepatitis are endemic.  Medical facilities are 
limited.  Not all medicines are available.  Doctors and hospitals 
often expect immediate cash payment for health services.  U.S. 
medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States.  
Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has 
proved to be useful.  Information on health matters can be obtained 
from the Centers For Disease Control's international travelers 
hotline, telephone (404) 332-4559.

Commercial Fraud:  A major new development in the past few years is 
the commercial scam or sting that targets foreigners, including a 
significant number of U.S. citizens.  These scams are usually both 
fraudulent and illegal, and could involve U.S. citizens in illegal 
activity, resulting in extortion or bodily harm.  The scams 
generally involve either outright money transfers or lucrative sales 
or contracts purporting to involve large sums of money and promises 
of large commissions for up front payments.  Alleged contracts 
frequently invoke the authority of a ministry or office of the 
Nigerian government and may even cite the support of a Nigerian 
government official by name.  The ability of U.S. Embassy officers 
to extricate Americans from unlawful business deals is extremely 
limited.  Nigerian police do not always inform the U.S. Embassy of 
an American citizen in distress.  The U.S. Department of Commerce, 
The U.S. Embassy in Lagos or the U.S. Consulate General in Kaduna 
can provide business travelers with further details.

Information on Crime:  Street crime can also be a problem in 
Nigeria.  Airports are specifically targeted by criminals.  
Pickpockets or persons posing as officials may offer assistance and 
then disappear with the travelers' passports and/or baggage.  To 
avoid this problem, many travelers arrange to be met upon arrival by 
travel agents, family members or friends.  Roadblocks occur at 
frequent intervals and individuals stopped at roadblocks have 
reported requests for unlawful payments or other types of 
intimidation or harassment.  There is a high incidence of 
residential break-ins.  Useful information on safeguarding valuables 
and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided 
in the Department of State pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad," available 
from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing 
Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

Photography Restrictions:  Permission is required to take 
photographs of government buildings, airports, bridges or 
official-looking buildings.  Permission may be obtained from 
Nigerian security personnel.

Currency Regulations:  Credit cards are rarely accepted in Nigeria. 
 It is often necessary to bring travelers checks or currency in a 
sufficient amount to cover the period of a planned visit.  Interbank 
transfers are frequently difficult, if not impossible, to accomplish.

Drug Penalties:  Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in 
illegal drugs are strictly enforced.  Convicted offenders can expect 
jail sentences and fines.

Tips for Travelers:  The Department of State publication "Tips for 
Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa" is available from the 
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 
Washington, D.C. 20402.  It includes general information on travel 
in the area.

Registration:  U.S. citizens who register at the U.S. Embassy in 
Lagos or the U.S. Consulate General in Kaduna can obtain updated 
information on travel and security in Nigeria.

 No. 92-159


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