Discover Nigeria

West Africa's pulsating economic hub combines modern skyscrapers on Victoria Island with bustling markets such as Lekki Market and the beaches of Elegushi and Tarkwa Bay. As a creative center of music, fashion and film, Lagos is also the heart of Nollywood and Afrobeats, pulsing day and night.

The meticulously planned capital impresses with wide boulevards, the striking National Mosque and the National Church. On the city's outskirts rises the monolithic Zuma Rock, an imposing granite formation regarded as a symbol of Nigeria and depicted on the national currency.

The rich culture of the Yoruba in southwestern Nigeria shows itself in elaborate bronze work, traditional festivals such as the Osun-Osogbo Festival and the historic royal palaces of Ife and Oyo. Nigeria's Nollywood film industry ranks today among the most prolific in the world and shapes pop culture far beyond the country's borders.

Yankari National Park in the northeast is home to elephants, baboons and hot springs, while the Obudu Mountain Resort in the southeast invites hiking with cooler climate and a cable car over green hills. Waterfalls such as Erin-Ijesha Falls round out the diverse natural offerings of Africa's most populous country.

Direct flights or flights with one stopover run from Zurich to Lagos or Abuja, with total travel time of about 8 to 12 hours. Swiss nationals need a visa, which must be applied for online in advance.

The official language is English, used throughout the country for communication in tourism and business. Over 500 indigenous languages are also spoken, with Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa being the largest language groups.

The Nigerian naira (NGN) is the official currency. Card payment is increasingly common in Lagos and Abuja, though sufficient cash is still recommended for markets and small purchases.

Overall living costs in Nigeria are lower than in Switzerland, though international hotels in Lagos and Abuja can certainly compete in price with major European cities, while local accommodations and street food are very affordable.