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Suzie's Blogs ...Traveling & Living Abroad Hints & Tips |
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Suzie's Blogs ... Traveling & Living Abroad Hints & Tips |
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Evidence of yellow fever vaccination is also required. Tourist facilities are limited. Violent crime is a serious problem, especially in Lagos, and the southern half of the country. Foreigners in particular are vulnerable to armed robbery, assault, burglary, carjackings and extortion. Disease is widespread and the public is not always informed in a timely manner about outbreaks of typhoid, cholera and yellow fever. Malaria, including potentially fatal cerebral malaria, and hepatitis are endemic. Medical facilities are limited. Not all medicines are available. Permission is required to take photographs of government buildings, airports, bridges or official looking buildings. Permission may be obtained from Nigerian security personnel. Persons seeking to trade at lower rates on the "black market" could be arrested or shaken down. To avoid problems, dollars should be exchanged for naira (Nigerian currency) only at the official rate and at approved exchange facilities, including many major hotels. (This is no longer true. Foreign exchange is now liberalized.) Credit cards are rarely accepted, and their use is generally ill advised because of the prevalence of credit card fraud in Nigeria and perpetrated by Nigerians in the United States. Travelers' checks can be exchanged at the airport, but due to insecurity at and near the airport, travelers are advised not to cash large amounts at the airport. There are very few, if any, facilities in Nigeria for cashing travelers checks other than as a courtesy for guests at major hotels. Check with your hotel before arrival to see if they offer this service. It is often necessary to bring currency in sufficient amounts to cover the trip. Transfers between banks are practically impossible to accomplish. Prospective visitors should consult the Consular Information Sheet for Nigeria. Because of the incidence of business scams and swindles, persons interested in doing business in Nigeria are advised to consult Tips for Business Travelers to Nigeria before providing any information or funds in response to an unverified business offer. This publication is available free of charge by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Office of Overseas Citizens Services, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520-4818. Have a terrific day and see you here tomorrow. Love to learn about business? See My Business Blog Suzie Suzie's Educational Blogs Posted: Monday 21st March 2005, 12:24 AM |