Nigeria
Last update 21 August 2024Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 3: Increased level of risk (recommendation not to travel in certain areas of the country unless necessary)
3
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Republic of Nigeria
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Address: 10 Euphrates Crescent, Maitama, Abuja
Working hours: Mon - Fri, 09.00 - 17.30
Consular Office hours for visitors: Mon - Fri, 09:00 - 12:00 h.
Booking in advance is highly recommendable via:
Tel.: +234 903 860 0017; +234 8033078578
Emergencie calls only tel.: + 234 903 000 0275
E-mail: [email protected]
Е-Mail: [email protected]
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/nigeria
Honorary Consul of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Achike Charles Umunna (Achike Charles Umunna)
Consular District: Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Cross Rivers, Anambra States
Address: 17B Ladipo Oluwale Street, Apapa, Lagos, Federal Republic of Nigeria
Phone: +234 807 722 9999; +234 802 525 9999
Email: [email protected]
Liaison Office of the Republic of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Sofia
Address: Baba Iliitsa St., Block 80a, floor 7, flat 25/26, 1612 Sofia
Tel.: +359 2 951 50 97
Opening hours: 08.00 – 16.30
E-mail: [email protected]
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Romania
Address: Bucarest, Voluntari, Jud. Ilfov, Drumul Potcoavei nr. 77 C
Working hours: Monday – Friday 09.00 – 17.00
Phone: +40-21 312 86 85; 312 79 37
Fax: +40-21 312 06 22
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.nigerian-embassy.ro
General information
General information:
Security level:
In view of the overall security situation, extra vigilance and travel only on urgent occasions is advised in the northern areas (especially Borno, Adamawa, Katsina, Yobe, Gombe and along the Niger border in Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states), and caution is advised when travelling in states along or near the Delta. Niger (Delta, Rivers, Cross Rivers, Bayelsa, Abia) and along the borders with Cameroon. The states listed are also at high risk of kidnapping, especially of foreigners staying for tourism, humanitarian work, journalistic activities or employed in international maritime transport in the Gulf of Guinea and the ports along the coast around the Delta. Niger.
In the central parts of the country, tensions between farmers and pastoralist groups pose a risk. There is also the potential for incidents caused by inter-community problems.
Incidents of armed robbery are not uncommon on the roads and in different populated areas of the country, and vigilance and prior assessment of the areas to be visited is needed. It is highly advisable to stay only in hotels with security. When travelling outside Abuja or other major cities, it is imperative that a local security company is consulted in advance and appropriate precautions are taken if possible.
Additional checkpoints have been deployed at the border with Benin, and it is possible that border authorities may request more than one inspection per vehicle.
It is advisable to avoid places where demonstrations, rallies or protests are taking place, and in such a situation all orders from the local police authorities should be respected.
The imposition of curfew occurs frequently in a number of states of Nigeria, particularly Borno and Adamawa, usually at very short notice after the announcement of such a measure. Failure to comply with imposed restrictions on movement is grounds for arrest, and it is therefore recommended to check regularly whether a curfew has been imposed in the state of residence.
Healthcare:
The state of public health facilities, especially outside Abuja and Lagos, is not at a high level. For this reason, it is recommended to take out health insurance before travelling to Nigeria, covering a possible stay and treatment in a reputable hospital.
The yellow fever vaccine is mandatory for entry into Nigeria. Vaccines against typhoid, tetanus, meningitis A and C, hepatitis A and B are recommended. These vaccines can also be administered in Nigeria. It is recommended to take prophylactic measures against malaria.
During the rainy season (June-October) there is a high risk of infection and disease due to the use of contaminated water. There is a high risk of contracting Lassa fever, Zika virus and cholera in places outside major cities.
Customs requirements:
Border statistics sheets and customs declarations shall be completed on arrival and departure. There are no restrictions on imported currency as long as it is declared on entry. The declaration should be kept as it may be used to export unused currency. It shall be exchanged at authorised banks and exchange offices.
The following should be kept in mind when entering the country and importing goods:
Used items for personal household use are generally not taxable if purchased at least 6 months in advance and not intended for trade. Substantial duties are payable on the importation of cameras (100%), projectors (100%), radios (50%), records (66%), tape recorders (40%), writing instruments (40%) which accompany the traveller unless he is on a temporary visit, present a
evidence that he has used the items for at least 3 years or proof that he has taken them out of Nigeria on his previous trip.
Duties are also imposed on imports of alcohol and cigarettes above the quantities allowed for personal use. The following quantities may be imported duty free by persons over 18 years of age:
- 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars with an average size of 200 grams of tobacco. Quantities in excess of these limits shall be subject to full duty;
- 1 L of alcohol -concentrate and 1 L of wine. Quantities above these limits are fully dutiable;
- 284 cc. of perfume or eau-de-Cologne;
The importation of pharmaceutical products in the passenger's luggage is prohibited.
Drugs of any kind are prohibited in Nigeria.
For the importation of hunting weapons, it is necessary to obtain prior authorization from the customs authorities.
Animals
Importation of birds or parrot families is not allowed
- Documents and certificates of good health are required for all poultry
animals;
- Quarantine applies.
When exporting dogs and cats, a health certificate and vaccinations must be presented no more than 1 week before travel. Domestic animals may travel as accompanied baggage or cargo.
The import of the following items is also prohibited:
- Air guns;
- Photo paper;
- Castings or counterfeits of currency;
- Blank invoices;
- Coupons for bidding in sports competitions;
- Certain types of tea with various additives;
- Obscene publications, paintings, books, prints;
- Phosphorus-based matches;
- Materials which in the judgment of the authorities may offend the religious feelings of persons in Nigeria.
- Meat, vegetables or food which in the judgement of the health inspector is not
edible.
- Goods inscribed or engraved with quotations from the Koran
- Coins of silver or other metal alloys not used in Nigeria
Baggage-clearance items can be cleared from customs within a few days, but with the hiring of a specialized freight forwarding company and an additional charge proportionate to the value of the goods being cleared.
When leaving the country the following should be taken into account:
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars from a foreign producer and 200 cigarettes from a domestic producer, as well as up to 1 bottle of whisky from a foreign producer, are allowed free export for travellers over 18.
Souvenirs:
Souvenirs may be exported from the country, but some, such as skins of protected African animals, African antiquities, African ceremonial objects, etc., require permission from the Department of Antiquities.
Road traffic:
A local driving licence is required when driving.
Practical advice:
Possession, use or transportation of drugs and illegally purchased medicines is illegal and punishable by effective sentences and heavy fines.
When visiting the northern parts of the country, it should be taken into account that local customs and traditions are Muslim and should be respected, especially around and in religious places. The playing of music at public events after the hours set by the local authorities is prohibited, especially during periods of religious festivities.
All sanitary rules for consumption of food and drink should be observed - wash thoroughly with bottled water, avoid eating food prepared in markets or on the street, etc.
It is advisable to stock up on medicines against digestive ailments. A serious problem in this respect is the presence of counterfeit medicines, which are difficult to identify. For this reason, it is recommended to purchase them only from reputable pharmacies.
Transportation by private vehicles in Nigeria's major cities-Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, Kaduna, Ibadan-is heavy, with frequent congestion due to inefficient infrastructure. The use of public transport is not advisable. It is advisable to request the use of taxis by ordering by phone or through the hotel reception. In the event of a traffic accident, the Federal Road Safety Corps should be contacted immediately on + 234 8033073600 and + 234 8077690003.
Frequent checks (checkpoints) are carried out on the main highways and when entering towns, and vigilance should be exercised to ensure that stops for checks are made by legitimate police with appropriate signage and uniforms. There have been reports of illegal checkpoints being used to carry out robberies.
Most supermarkets, restaurants and hotels in Abuja and Lagos accept credit and debit cards. However, it is recommended that payments be made mainly in cash due to the considerable risk of fraud through skimming and card cloning.
If a foreigner fails to provide identification when requested by the local authorities, fines will be imposed and they may be taken to local police stations for identification. It is advisable to carry photocopies of documents and keep the originals in a safe or other secure place.
Vigilance is required when receiving e-mails, text messages or correspondence via social networks as there is a risk of fraud.
Local currency:
Naira (NGN)
1 euro = approx. 457 naira.
There is also a so-called black rate, but it is illegal to exchange foreign currency at this rate.
Travel papers and visas
The validity of the passport used to travel to Nigeria should be at least 6 months from the date of entry into the country, contain at least one blank page and have the entry visa affixed to it. The ordinary entry visa costs a total of about $300 and is issued by the Nigerian Embassy in Bucharest. Required documents, besides the form, are invitations from local individuals, companies or contracts to work in Nigeria.
In connection with the introduction of the visa on arrival option, we recommend that this option is used only if it is not possible to submit visa documents at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Bucharest. The visa on arrival provides for a procedure where the issuance fee may be higher than that paid at the Embassy of Nigeria in Bucharest.
Practical advice
Competitive service
Bulgarian identity documents:
The Consular Office in Abuja is equipped with equipment for processing Bulgarian identity documents and accepts and processes applications for the issuance of passports, identity cards and temporary passports to Bulgarian citizens.
Certifications and legalizations:
Documents presented to the consular office for signature certification should be signed in person in front of the consular official and accompanied by a passport or identity card. Sample forms of authorisations and declarations can be obtained from the Embassy or downloaded from the MFA website at: https://www.mfa.bg/bg/uslugi-patuvania/konsulski-uslugi/formuliari. The fee for the certification of a signature is EUR 15 and for the certification of the signature and content of a non-registrable document EUR 30 for the first page and EUR 15 for the second and each subsequent page.
For the legalisation of public (official) documents, the bearer should bring the original document certified by the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a photocopy thereof and a photocopy of the personal page of the passport of the bearer. The fee for legalisation is €20 per document.
Citizenship status:
For registration of birth, marriage or death, primary original documents issued by the relevant federal authorities in Nigeria, certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria must be presented. The Consular Section of the Embassy may legalize the relevant documents.
The consular office is able to collect the fees for the services provided in cash, by bank transfer (bank account information is available by e-mail on request) or by bank card (via an installed POS terminal).