LAGOS STATELagos was the capital of Nigeria from 1914 - 1991; it was stripped of this title when the Federal Capital Territory was established at the purpose-built city of Abuja. However, most government functions (especially the head of state) stayed in Lagos for a time since Abuja was still under construction. In 1991, the head of state and other government functions finally moved to the newly built capital in a mass exodus. The change resulted in Lagos losing some prestige and economic leverage
Lagos is addictive, by the way. Once you live there, you don't want to live anywhere else. If you stay too long, you are likely to suffer withdrawal symptoms when you leave.
TRANSPORT
Ferries and highways link the parts of the city together. However, transport links within Lagos are congested, due in part to the geography of the city, its explosive population growth. A chain of salt-water lagoons runs west to Badagry and also east towards Ogun State.
TELECOMMUNICATION
Lagos has a functioning telephone system and internet access is also widely available and readily accessible. Several large mobile phone companies operate in Lagos, making Nigeria the fastest growing communications market in the world.
ECONOMY
Lagos is Nigeria’s leading port. The Port of Lagos, operates by the Nigeria Port Authority is split into three main sections: Lagos port, Apapa Port and Tin Can Port, all located on the gulf of Guinea. The ports feature railheads.
The ports handle imports of consumer goods, foodstuffs, motor vehicles, machinery and industrial raw materials. Its export trade in timber and agricultural products such as cocoa and groundnuts has declined since the early 1970s, although the port has seen growing amounts of crude oil exported, with export figures rising between 1997 and 2002. Oil and petroleum products provide 20% of GDP and 95% of foreign exchange earnings in Nigeria as a whole.
More than half of Niogeria’s industrila capacity is located in Lagos’s mainland suburbs, particularly in the Ikeja industrial estate. A wide range of manufactured goods are produced in the city, including machinery, motor vehicles, electronic equipment, chemicals, beer, processed food and textiles.
GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
The climate in Lagos is similar to that of the rest of the soutyhern Nigeria. There are two main reasonms, with the heaviest rains falling from April to Juky and a weaker rainy season in October and November . There is a brief relatively dry spell in August and September and a long dry season from December to March. Monthly rainfall between May and July averages 300 mm (12 in), whilst in August and September it is down to 75mm (3in) and in January as low as 35mm (1.5in). The main dry season is accompanied by harmattanwinds from the Sahara Desert, which between December and early February can be quite strong.
The commercial centre remains Lagos Island, which is connected to the mainland by three large bridges: Eko bridge, Carter bridge and the Third Mainland bridge. Ikoyi and Victoria Island are closely connected to Lagos Island. The main docks are in Apapa directly opposite Lagos Island. Other districts on the mainland include Ebute-meta, Surulere, Yaba (Lagos) (site of the University of Lagsos), Musin and Ikeja, site of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport.
PLACES TO VISIT
THE BADAGRY WHISPERING PALMS sit astride the oldest city in Lagos, housing the departure gates for the slaves that were taken out of Nigeria. Take a sunset walk on the beach, swim in crystal-clear pools and visit the art village to see authentic crafts.
TARKWABAY is a sheltered beach along the Lagos harbor. It is accessible by boat from Maroko or from under Falomo Bridge on Victoria Island. This beach provides a pleasant outing with safe swimming conditions, even for small children.
TARKWABAY BEACH.This is about six kilometers from the city centre. The beach is unique in different dimensions and it’s good for all year round picnics, barbecues, and weekend relaxation. Boats are the only easy means of reaching Tarkwa Bay beach from Lagos. People would normally reach their personal boats or go with a boat company at Tarzan Boat Jetty, Plot 6, Maroko Fore shore, Lekki Epe Expressway, Victoria Island, Lagos. The beach is lined with tents, which are rented out to visitor's daily, and some distances behind this are located small chalets constructed from raffia woods with thatched roofs. Beside the beach and sun bathing at Tarkwa Bay there is more on the side of historical landmark as Lord Lugard bunker thought to have built during the Second World War is tucked on the island. Constructed in near circular shape, with fittings, which hoisted gun in the centre, the bunker was built on an earth rift. It's of formidable cast walls and has nine exterior cabins. Two of the cabins at different directions are marked "HE", His Excellency. The other cabins are apparently for his guards
NATIONAL MUSEUM LAGOS:Nigeria has long established a chain of national museums whose headquarters is in Lagos - the Onikan Museum. It contains the best and largest collections of ancient works of art in Ivory and Bronze. These art products are famous all over the world. The Nok Terra Cotta dates back to over 900 B.C.
The Museum was established in March 1957 and has the finest collection of Nigerian Antiquities and ethnographic materials in the world. The collection presents a kaleidoscope of the nation in its diversity in art and crafts. It houses the wildly-traveled and world-acclaimed exhibition entitled "Treasures of Ancient Nigeria; Ligancy of Two Thousand Years" when re-enacts the diverse chronological artistic tradition of Nigeria on the occasion of the Second World Festival of Black and African Arts and Civilization (FESTAC) in 1977. This exhibition has had such a tremendous impact on the world that the demands for it can hardly be met. It has been shown in the United States of America, and Canada; and in Oslo, Stockholm, London, Florence, Paris, Zurich, Leningrad, Sofia and Berlin. In 1989, following pressure from the Japanese Government; the exhibition package was reconstituted under a different title, "The Ancient Art of Nigeria" for display at the Seibu Museum of Art,, Tokyo between August and December 1989. The Museum equally houses a pictorial exhibition built around the limousine in which General Murtala Muhammed was assassinated. It also houses a crafts village on the premises to give the effect of a "living Museum" where traditional craftsmen and women can be observed in their different trades; and a Museum kitchen where visitors can savor traditional Nigerian Cuisine.
IMMIGRATION PROCEDURE AND REQUIREMENTS
TYPES OF VISA/ENTRY PERMIT
The knowledge of the various types of visa/entry permit is of crucial importance both to the applicant and to the company or organization sponsoring him/her. This is because in the Nigerian visa system, the type that is given is tied to the purpose for which the journey is intended and any variation of the visa with the purpose of journey will render such a visa inappropriate for entry, leading to either a refusal of landing or deportation, in the case of a foreigner already in the country.
There are three main types of visa, viz.
(A) Ordinary Visa
(B) Diplomatic Visa
(C) Gratis Courtesy Visa
The Ordinary Visa is further divided as follows:
(i) Transit
(ii) Single journey
(iii) Multiple journeys
ii. Single Journey Visa
This is valid for a single entry into Nigeria and may be issued as:
- Short Visit Visa;
- STR Visa (Subject To Regularization for Residence Work Permit);
- T.W.P (Temporary Work Permit)
This type of single journey visa is issued to applicants who require a single entry to Nigeria for the purpose of tourism, to see places of interest, or visit friends and/or relations resident in Nigeria. It is also issued to applicants who wish to visit Nigeria for business or meeting. This visa is also issued at a Nigerian mission abroad without reference to the Comptroller-General of Immigration provided that, the applicant who fills Form (1MM 22), is in possession of a return air ticket to and from Nigeria or an onward ticket for a further destination, together with a visa or any other acceptable form of permission to enter that country. In case a passenger arrives at the port of entry without a return ticket or onward ticket to a further destination but is otherwise found to be admissible, he/she may be required to deposit the appropriate amount for the purchase of such ticket as may be necessary to enable him/her return to his/her country of domicile, or proceed to a further destination.
STR Visa (Subject toRegularization)
This is the type of visa required by foreigners seeking to take up employment in Nigeria. Section 8, sub-section 1, of the Immigration Act provides that “no person, not being a citizen of Nigeria, may take up employment in Nigeria other than employment with the federal or state government without the consent of the Comptroller-General of Immigration”. Section 33 of the Act further provides that an application must be made to the Comptroller-General by the prospective employer, in writing, confirming that he/she has a vacancy on the expatriate quota and at the same time stating the position in which prospective employee is to be employed and confirming acceptance of immigration responsibility”.
The employer company applies to the Nigerian embassy or consular office in the country where such intending employee/applicant resides, requesting that he (and his accompanying spouse/ fiancée/children, if applicable) be granted STR Visa (subject to regularizations for residence work permit) when he arrives in Nigeria. In such application, the employer company undertakes to assume immigration and other responsibilities for the employee (and his accompanying spouse/ fiancée/children, if applicable) in Nigeria.
The STR Visa is issued at Nigerian mission without reference to the Comptroller-General of Immigration provided that the applicant presents specified documents. STR visa is normally given for 90 days without reference, during which an application must be made to the Comptroller-General of Immigration, to regularize the stay of the prospective employee, and the person may assume his employment only when such application is approved and a RESIDENCE WORK PERMIT granted.
Registration of Aliens
Having undergone the various legal formalities for residency status, all foreigners are expected to register their presence at the immigration offices closest to their places of residence or occupation. It should be noted that for this purpose, all the state immigration offices are representatives of the Comptroller-General of Immigration and application for regulation should be made to them, which they would refer accordingly, for approval to issue the residence permit.
The visa is normally approved by cablegram sent through NITEL offices in Nigeria to the Mission from where it would be issued. The cost of the transmission is borne by the company/ organization applying for the facility. The T.W.P Visa is given for a period not exceeding 3 months and may be extended for a further period, upon application to the Comptroller-General of Immigration who will determine the desirability of such an extension.
ii. Multiple Journey Visa
This type of visa is normally issued without reference to the Comptroller- General of Immigration by the Nigerian missions abroad for a period not exceeding 12 months, and may be for a specified number of journeys within the period granted.
It is normally given mostly to non-resident directors of Nigerian based companies and other foreign businessmen and women for the purpose of attending meetings and for other frequent visits to pursue business arrangements, or make consultations regarding investment projects.
Both the single and multiple journey visas are also given in Nigeria to employees of companies/ organizations whose stay have been duly regularized, in order to enable then return to their employment whenever they travel out either for business or holidays. This is called return or re-entry visa. Applications for this must be made personally by the employee in Nigeria and not from outside the country. The application must be supported by the employer confirming that the employee is returning to his job, and reaffirming acceptance of Immigration responsibility on behalf of the applicant, as well as showing proof of the continued availability of the expatriate quota position to be occupied.
GRATIS COURTESY VISA
This type of visa is normally issued to persons who do not qualify for diplomatic visa, but who are foreign government officials traveling on official business. It may be granted in cases where it is considered undesirable to accede to an application for a diplomatic visa, but where it is desirable on grounds of international courtesy to facilitate a journey.
To learn more about Lagos, please visit:
www.lagosstategov.com.ng
www.lagoschamber.com
www.lagoshouseofassembly.org/
www.lagosjudiciary.gov.ng
ABUJA: THE CAPITAL CITY
FACILITIES
Abuja is strategically located in the centre of Nigeria and covers a land area of about 8000 km2. The centrality of the city makes it easily accessible from all parts of the country by road and by air. The territory has the best infrastructural facilities and amenities in the country with Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport serving as the international gateway.
These coupled with various categories of Hotel establishments, Conference centres, Restaurants and other Hospitality establishments of national and international standards makes Abuja the best Conference Tourism Centre in Africa. Some of the popular conference centres in the city include, the 2000 seating capacity ultra modern International Conference Centre(ICC), the Abuja Sheraton Hotel & Towers, the Shehu Musa Yaradua Centre, the ECOWAS Secretariat Complex The Women Development Centre and Le Meridiem hotel among others.
International Conference Center
The importance of Abuja as a Conference tourism destination can be seen in the regular hosting of national and international events such as the Africa Travel Association (ATA) Conference/meeting, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting ‘CHOGM 2003’, and the recently concluded 15th International Conference on Small and Medium Enterprises (SME).
The city of Abuja is also noted for sport tourism. The 60,000 seating capacity ultra modern Abuja stadium complexes, IBB International Golf Course and other standard sporting facilities in different part of the territory which are being used for national and international tournaments like the All Africa Games COJA 2003, and the National Sport Festival - Abuja 2004, are rated as some of the best facilities in the continent.
GEOGRAPHY
The site was chosen for Nigeria's new capital because of its central location, easy accessibility, hospitable climate, low population density, the fact that it is not associated with any particular ethnic group, and the availability of land for future expansion. Abuja lies at 360 m (1,180 ft) above sea level and has a cooler climate and less humidity than Lagos. The land area occupied by the Federal Capital Territory provides ample opportunities for development and expansion of investment projects. There are also abundant human and natural resources that can be harnessed for development.
CLIMATE
What more? Abuja enjoys equable climate all year round as a result of its location at the climate transition zone between the essentially “humid” south and the “sub-humid” north- combining the savannah grassland of the north with the richness of the middle belt and the tropical rain forest of the south. This is an incentive to investment as it offers conducive weather for human settlement and activity. Temperatures in Abuja range from 18.45 to 36.05 (Celsius). Rainfall in Abuja varies from 0.0 to 729.0 (mm/month).
DISTRICTS OF ABUJA
Central District
The city has been well planned and the Central District is located between the foot of Aso Rock and into the Three Arms Zone to the southern base of the ring road. It is like the city's spinal cord, dividing it into the northern sector with Maitama and Wuse, and the southern sector with Garki and Asokoro. While each district has its own clearly demarcated commercial and residential sectors, the Central District is the city's principal Business Zone, where practically all parastatals and multinational corporations have their offices located. An attractive area in the Central District is the region known as the Three Arms Zone, so called because it houses the administrative offices of the executive, legislative and judicial arms of the Federal Government. A few of the other sites worth seeing in the area are the Federal Secretariat, Aso Hill, the Abuja Plant Nursery, Eagle square and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier across the road facing it. The National Mosque and National Church are located opposite each other on either side of Independence Avenue.
The National Mosque
Garki District
The Garki District is the area in the southwest corner of the city. There are some interesting buildings, which include the General Post Office, Abuja International Conference Center, Garki Shopping center, several bank buildings and other commercial offices. At present it is the principal business district of Abuja.
Wuse District
This is the northwestern part of the city. The Wuse Markert is Abuja's principal market. The second most important Post Office in the city is located here. This district also houses the Sheraton Hotel and Towers and the Nigerian TourismDevelopment Corporation.
Maitama District
Maitama District is to the north of the city. This area is home to the top bracket sections of society and business, and has the reputation of being very exclusive and also very expensive. Interesting buildings include the National Universities Commission, Soil Conservation Complex and the National Electoral Commission.
TRANSPORTATION
The main mode of transportation within the city of Abuja is either by private vehicle or by cab or taxi. The whole city area is very safe with security provided everywhere, so getting to a specific destination can be very easy if details of address and location are available.
Abuja Airport
While Lagos has the largest airport in Nigeria, next in importance is the brand new Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (named after the first president of Nigeria) has every modern facility and amenity that any traveler would expect to find. It is around 45 km from the center of Abuja on the highway from Abuja to Gwagwalada. Domestic services connect Abuja to the rest of the country and international services, which are being developed in stages, link the city to major international destinations.
Domestic services are yet to be regularized. At present most of them are operated as shuttle flights. Most have provision for booking tickets in advance either at the airport or booking/ticketing offices usually in the main Hotels. Travelers are advised to get detailed information on confirmed flights while making travel plans.
INVESTMENT OPORTUNITIES
The government offers great incentives to facilitate investment and commercial activities in Abuja. This is aimed at creating a conducive atmosphere for active involvement of the private sector in socio-economic development. These incentives include the provision of infrastructural facilities, easy access to land as well as tax incentives.
There is also institutional support like the Abuja Investment and Property Development Company Limited, The Raw Material Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Nigerian Investment and Promotion Council (NIPC), Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), National Economic Reconstruction Fund (NERFUND). Their function is to accelerate economic development, stimulate and promote commercial and industrial development and also help in facilitating and creating an enabling environment for business and investment, as well as promoting public-private sector partnership. The Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory is pursuing and implementing additional government policies in this direction. Private investors are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities that abound in Abuja by investing and establishing industries.
Investment opportunities in the FCT are diverse and attractive. Areas where entrepreneurs can invest in include: -
1) Establishment and management of Hotels, Conference facilities and catering services;
2) Establishment and Management of Theme/Recreational parks, theatres etc.
3) Establishment and Management of hostels and apartments Accommodations and Commercial Complexes.
4) Establishment and Management of Car Hire Services, Tour-operating Companies etc.
THE SIGHTS IN ABUJA:
The very character of Abuja has been shaped by the two renowned rocks formations around it. These are the Zuma Rock and the Aso Rock.. The former is referred to as the ‘Gateway to Abuja' and the Federal Capital Territory begins at its base, where the state of Niger ends. It is also reported to be the exact geographical center of Nigeria. The Aso Rock is located at the head of Abuja and the city extends southwards from the rock..
Zuma Rock
The imposing Zuma Rock, located a little off the main road that goes from Abuja to Kaduna, is definitely worth a visit. Several facilities and amenities to attract tourists are gradually coming up in the vicinity. It is a one hour drive from the city center. Or it can be visited while traveling north.
Aso Rock
Aso Rock is the largest rock formation in close proximity to Abuja City. It rises to nearly 400 meters above sea level and towers majestically in the background of the Three Arms Zone. Another interesting attraction is the Abuja Plant Nursery at the foot of Aso Rock. This botanical garden has an amazing collection of species of flowers, fruits, trees and many other plants. Also at the foot of Aso rock is the Abuja zoological gardens.
The term ‘Aso' means victory in the local language. Minister's Hill is strategically located just beyond the outskirts of Maitama district, and the panoramic view from the top covers the whole of Maitama district. The Dutse range is a little further away, slightly off the Bwari road and just off Keffi-Suleja expressway. This area is a sanctuary for several forms of wild life, the most notable among them being the baboons. The central location of Abuja makes it a prime location to enjoy other attractions in surrounding states. The Gurara falls in Niger state is a sight to behold, a panorama of lush green vegetation bordering the breathtaking cascade of water falls, The Kainji lake national park also located in Niger state, is a must visit for wildlife and eco-tourism enthusiasts. Both locations are three hours drive from Abuja.
The IBB international Golf course (Managed by Abuja Sheraton Hotel & Towers) provides a serene environment for great gulf, excellent cuisine and world class services.
