Abuja

Abuja is the capital of Nigeria. Because most Nigerian government agencies are now headquartered in Abuja and most other countries' embassies have been relocated from Lagos to Abuja, it is a surprisingly expensive city.

Understand

Abuja is very beautiful. One of few purpose-built cities in the world planned and built from scratch, it has an excellent road network, a beautiful rolling terrain and modern Nigerian architecture. However, power is often erratic.

It is part of the Federal Capital Territory and one of the six local area councils, formally known as the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). It is surrounded by the other councils which include Kuje, Gwagwalada, Kwali, Bwari, and Abaji. Majority of government institutions headquarters and offices are located in Abuja, mostly in Garki and the Central Business District.

The National Assembly, which the legislative arms of the government, is located in Maitama.

Abuja is one of the world's fastest-growing cities, and the exact population is uncertain. The capital territory had 3.5 million inhabitants as of 2016.

Districts

 🌍 Asokoro
 🌍 Durumi
 🌍 Jahi
 🌍 Wuse (includes both Wuse I and Wuse II Districts)
  Garki (includes both Garki I and Garki II Districts)

Get in

By plane
  • 🌍 Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport (ABV  IATA). Several airlines offer international flights, notably, Lufthansa, KLM, British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines. Many visitors arrive on connecting flights from Lagos. (updated Jul 2022)

While the industry is being overhauled and aviation safety is being upgraded, only a few local airlines are reliable: AeroContractors, Arik Air, Air Peace, Max air and Dana Air. The quasi-government-owned Arik Air has frequent flights from many domestic locations. Air Peace, Max air and Dana Air are private airlines but operate quite a few routes into Abuja as well.

From the airport, take the official Green Cab. Board the cab with only people you know. Uber operates here as well. The Abuja light rail system connects the airport with the city centre. Bolt (formerly Taxify) also operates extensively within the city and off rides to and fro the airport. The airport is quite a distance from the main city. There are also private shuttle services offered to customers in the city.

By bus

You can travel to Abuja by bus from major cities like Lagos, Benin, Kano and Port Harcourt. Reliable services include: ABC Transport (with air conditioned luxurious bus rides), Ekene Dili Chukwu, Chisco Transport (CTN) and Young Shall Grow. The preferred bus service would be ABC transport. These are for purposes of moving from other parts of the country to Abuja.

Take day trip buses from wherever you are coming from in the country because part of the interstate roads are not maintained and full of potholes. And also the issue of being attacked by robbers by night. If you're unfamiliar with the country, take a bus with an escort. Buses allow you to appreciate the terrain, the towns and cities and the subtle changes in these and culture as you drive towards the capital either from the South or the North.

Bus shuttles have been banned in the city. You may find few buses that ply the outskirts of the city. Motorcycles (popularly known as Okada) has been banned as well but can be found in the slums and lowly areas.

By train

Nigeria Railway Corporation has completed an inter-city line between Abuja and Kaduna, where you can connect with the rest of the Nigerian rail system. Trains arrive and depart from 🌍 Idu Station which is about 15 km west of the city centre. As of 2018, there are four daily departures in each direction. The train service offers three types of fares: Economy, First Class and Sleeper. The schedules and current fairs can be found on the Nigeria Railway Corporation website.

There is a light rail connection from the railway station to the centre.

Get around

Car or taxi is the main mode of getting around Abuja: public transport is limited. However, the Abuja Light Rail provides service mainly on the west side of the city, and provides connections between the city, rail station and the airport.

Abuja has a few strict driving laws that are enforced by different bodies of the government. The prominent road traffic and driving control enforcement bodies include VIO, FRSC, the Police. Seat belts are required of the driver and front seat passenger. The vehicle can be impounded and not released until the fine is paid. It will be helpful to have your papers updated as to avoid getting into trouble. Drivers don't typically observe lanes within the city, and often attempt to squeeze in what might seem to be dangerously close to your vehicle. In some cases they may drive on the sidewalks. However these happen mostly where there are no law enforcement officers present. Observation of traffic laws and traffic lights by drivers is higher in the city than in any other part of the country. Occasionally, drivers from other parts of the country that are unfamiliar with the driving culture in the city try to beat traffic lights. If you're driving, keep an eye out for other motorists, especially at intersections, who may try to beat the traffic lights. Occasionally, traffic lights stop working during outages and road marshals are deployed to critical intersections.

See

Abuja is a beautiful city. The tourist attractions are:

  • 🌍 Aso Rock. A 400m monolith and the city's most noticeable feature. 
  • 🌍 Millennium Tower. Topped out in 2015, this 160-m tower is quite amazing. It is a part of the National Cultural Centre, which is under construction as of 2017. 
  • 🌍 National Mosque. Built in 1984, open to non-Muslims except during prayer. 
  • 🌍 National Church of Nigeria (National Christian Centre). A large inter-denominational church built in a neo-Gothic style. 
  • 🌍 National Assembly Complex. 
  • 🌍 Abuja Millennium Park. A large recreational park which serves as the main getaway for residents. Includes a large system of terraces highlighting the different vegetation zones across the country. 
  • 🌍 Sarius Planetum, 3259 Ibrahim Babangida Blvd, Maitama, ☏ +234 8149728101. Daily 9AM-6PM. A commercialized botanical garden focused on palm trees, but also supposedly having the only known Cannonball tree still in existence in West Africa. Asian/Indian restaurant on site. ₦ 1000 adults, ₦ 500 children. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 🌍 Tobix Recreational Park and Garden, Ahmadu Bello Way, Kado. Daily 8AM-7PM. Another embellished garden, but this one with an eatery specializing in grilled fish and drinks and a space for cultural events to take place. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 🌍 Thought Pyramid Art Centre, 18 Libreville Cres, Wuse, ☏ +2348033322885. M-Sa 9AM-7PM, Su 1-7PM. An art museum featuring a lot of local art work, exotic pieces and wooden sculpture, among others. With a restaurant next door. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 🌍 Zuma Rock, north of Madalla (drive west along Murtala Mohammed Expressway toward Madalla and you should see it on your right). Another rock monolith landmark. Displayed on the ₦100 note and known as the Gateway to Abuja from Suleja, it stands about 300 m high. Was once used by the Gbagyi tribe when on the run from invaders. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 🌍 An Noor Mosque (مسجد النور), Ibrahim Babangida Way, Wuse, ☏ +234 9087247917. Interesting architecture and mosaic tiles. (updated Aug 2020)

Do
  • 🌍 Jabi Lake (Jabi Recreational Park), 26 Alex Ekwueme Way, Jabi. Can go for a stroll, ride horses, take a boat ride, buy fresh fish, relax and read a book, etc on this good-sized lake. (updated Feb 2023)
  • 🌍 National Children's Park and Zoo Abuja (just east of Millenium Park, on the other side of A234.). Daily 8AM-6PM price=₦ 400 adults. This zoo has a number of animals representative of Africa (e.g. lion, zebra, camel), but there has been a bit of a reputation of animal neglect. In 2018, many news outlets reported on animal cruelty with the institution based on the condition of a malnourished camel there. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 🌍 Usuma Lower Dam. This is a place for some good hiking trails around more of those rock domes with the Kubwa Abuja Reservoir in the background. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 🌍 IBB International Golf & Country Club, 41 Udi Hill Street, off Aso Dr, ☏ +234 97809488. Daily 6–8PM. Said to be one of the best golf courses in the country, with lots of great views. There are crocodiles in some of the water traps. ₦11586. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 🌍 Magic Land Amusement Park, No. 1, Kukwaba Hills, Constitution Ave, Wuye, ☏ +234 9099777881. M-F 12:30-8PM, Sa Su 10AM-9PM. Dilapidated amusement park. Has some old water rides and rollercoasters. gate fee ₦ 300, rides ₦ 300-600. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 🌍 Genesis Deluxe Cinemas Abuja, Ceddi Plaza, 264 Tafawa Balewa Way, Central Business District, toll-free: +234 7000300300, +234 8157140000. 9AM-9PM. Genesis Deluxe Cinema is a modern cinema equipped with a state-of-the-art environment. It has a high technology sound system, comfortable leather seats with adequate legroom, very polite attendants and generally a great ambience. (updated Jan 2022)

Buy

There is some interesting artwork all over Abuja. Wood carvings, paintings and leatherwork. Everything is available in surrounding countries quite a bit cheaper, but if you are here you might as well buy it here.

  • 🌍 Wuse Market, 13 Wuse Market Road, ☏ +234 803 748 0233. The main market in Abuja. Everything is available, from fresh food to clothes, music, and electronics. There are many markets in the city that well organized and structured. Depending on where you are in the city, you can make your choice, or just hail a cab to take you along. There is the Area 1 Shopping Complex, Area 10 Market all in Garki. And as markets go, not expensive. (updated Jul 2022)
  • Art & Craft village (across the road from Sheraton Hotel)
  • Fashion : Jaybecks Fabric Store and Bridals , for fabrics shopping and haute couture design pieces +234 908 146 6711 .
  • Fish Market  : There is a market dedicated for just fish called fish market , easily found on google maps . it is located along Karmo road coming from jabi and heading to zuba.
  • You can buy thrift items Like clothes , shoes , bags , crafts etc from Karmo Market , easily found on google map as well

Eat

Food prices in Abuja are high, especially for Western food. There are, however, many good restaurants in Abuja that are worth the money. Of course, whether you live in Abuja or are just visiting, there are times when you are willing to pay a little extra for the simple fact that there are few to no alternatives.

  • 🌍 Exclusive Supermarket, 1202 Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II. A cafe/coffeeshop at the back of the supermarket sells good salads, a few Lebanese dishes, icecream, coffee and standard pizza and grilled food. Cheap (Nicoise Salad takeout for ₦1000). (updated Jan 2023)

Mid-range
  • Love Pizza, 2 Bouar Close, Bangui Street, off Ademola Adetokuno Crescent, Wuse 2 (beside Jevenik), ☏ +234 805 444-7945. Freshly baked Italian pizza made with the finest ingredients. Pizza, wings, salads. Eat in, take out & delivery; (updated Apr 2022)
  • Shawarma Shop, adjacent to Amigos Supermarket, Wuse II. ₦700 for shwarmas and they offer pizzas for somewhere from ₦1500.
  • Southern Fried Chicken. A local knockoff of KFC, but ask them to go easy on the mayo.
  • Mr. Biggs. Are all over. They have burgers.
  • Shawarma Shop, adjacent to 212 Supermarket, Usuma St., Maitama. These shawarmas have cabbage in them and about same price as the one by Amigos.
  • City View, Cape Town Street, off IBB Way, Wuse Zone 4. Perhaps the best Lebanese food in Abuja, excellent prices, they also host large groups, indoor or outdoor sitting.
  • Ceddi Plaza has a fast food chicken restaurant on second floor - and ice cream
  • Drumstix, Aminu Kano Crescent. Fast food, Nigerian dishes, grill, shawarma and ice cream.
  • Tantalizers Burgers. All over.
  • Cafe inside Grand Square Market, Mohammadu Buhari Way.
  • Cafe at Dunes Center, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, one on the main floor and one upstairs.
  • MrPickup.biz, Delivery service. Picks up your orders and brings to you for a small fee! +234 702 828 6771.
  • Spice Food In front of Sahad Store, across from Bolton White Hotels, Ahmadu Bellu Road. +234 7031111005, +234 8034500653. Delicious Indian food and snacks at very reasonable prices. Main course ₦1000-1500, snacks ₦300-600. Su-F buffet noon-3PM ₦2000. Dinner 6PM-10PM

Splurge
  • Ciao, Jitau Plaza, Plot 1173, Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent, After AP plaza, Wuse II. A good Italian restaurant with the usual Italian dishes. Expect to pay around ₦2000 for a dinner with wine. Good Pizzas, but AJ's have more to them.
  • AJ's Pizza, adjacent to the Park and Shop in Wuse II, Aminu Kano Crescent. Call your order in before you get there +234 803 314 0469 or +234 804 410 4567. If your order 5 pizzas, ask for free juice.
  • Chopsticks, Plot 66 Mississippi St. Maitama. Good Chinese food, a couple should share one order of a main dish and either rice or noodles. ₦2000-5000 for main dishes. Has cocktail bar. 
  • Sitar, 46 Usuma St. Maitama. Indian food. 
  • Wakkis, Like Sitar but more reasonable prices, this might be considered moderate instead of Splurge. Amino Kano Crescent, follow signs, Wuse II. ₦1500-2500 main dishes, good seafood. Amazing King Prawns!
  • Blakes, Fish bar, add unknown, Garki District.
  • Obudu Grill Steakhouse at the Sheraton You won't spend less than $50 USD here, but the steaks are excellent.
  • Albasha Palace Good Mediterranean & Continental food and Pizzas, Shisha. Outdoor, indoor events & parties... 11 Cassandra Street, off Usuma St, Maitama.
  • LaZeez Place, Usuma Street, Maitama.
  • Golf Course, has a restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, would be a good place to have large group gathering, not called Golf Course, but that is where it is.

Drink

Drinks are available all over Abuja and are very overpriced. Average US$20 for some mixed drinks, US$5-9 for a local beer. Buy beer from the Market and you will save a lot of money. The major hotels have bars and restaurants. Watch out for the call girls, if you ignore them, they get really offended. If you are not interested, just say so and have a short conversation, then they will leave you alone.

  • 🌍 Smoothies Parlor, Near YoBella Kids Zone, B002 Sticks and Stones Plaza, Ademola Adetokunbo Street, Abuja. (updated Feb 2023)
  • 🌍 Ceddi Plaza, Near Kingfem Group Of Companies, Plot 264 Ahmadu Bello Way, Mabushi 900103, Abuja (3F4Q+2RM). has a bar on the basement level. (updated Feb 2023)
  • 🌍 Blakes Resort, 1346 Ahmadu Bello Way, Garki 900110, municipal 900247, Abuja. It has live music or a DJ and drinks as well as the fish bar. (updated Feb 2023)
  • British Village requires a membership to enter and is popular during different sporting events, especially during soccer games and rugby.
  • Jake's Club is in Silverbird Galleria, Central Business District.

Sleep

Mid-range
  • 🌍 The Nordic Villa, 52 Mike Akhigbe Way (in Jabi district), ☏ +234 703 682 9922. A 4-bedroom boutique hotel furnished in a modern Scandinavian style. The villa is in a peaceful and safe environment suited for business and leisure travellers. US$90–130. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 🌍 Rockview Hotel, 196 Ademola Adetokunbo Cres. A little dreary but decent. Has gym, tennis courts, pool. The pool bar menu has some better offerings than the bar or restaurant. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 🌍 Hotel De Bently, 892, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Way, Utako 900108, Abuja (3C6V+JCR). Its a decent place to stay. (updated Jan 2023)
  • 🌍 Reiz Continental Hotel, Plot 779, Cadastral zone AO, Central Area, ☏ +234-9-4619110. Similar to Rockview in terms of standard, but with better service. Has pool too and free minibar (non alchololic). (updated Jan 2023)
  • Immaculate, ☏ +234 7098211224, . Plot 111 Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II opposite Cubana Bar, near Diamond Bank. Modern hotel with nice-size rooms and suites. Noisy on weekends because of night club next door, and rooms above kitchen are noisy all the time. Lacks social space like bar/terrace but this is good because it has fewer prostitutes than in larger hotels. Basic gym and small pool area. Restaurant ok. Reasonable prices and well-located. 
  • 🌍 Barcelona Hotels International, 23 Blantyre Cres, Wuse, ☏ +234 8141375819. Multi-storey hotel with open rooftop restaurant, free restaurant, indoor and outdoor pool, spa, gym, meeting facility, and wifi. Near the Thought Pyramid Art Center. ₦ 26263. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 🌍 Check Inn Hotels, 37 Durban St, Wuse 2, ☏ +234 8150649880. Hotel with sleek interiors, pool, hot tub, gym, restaurant, bar, wifi. Good location proximal to downtown. ₦ 25490. (updated Aug 2020)

Splurge

Decent hotels in Abuja tend to cost above US$200 per night.

  • 🌍 Hawthorn Suites Abuja, ☏ +234 9 460 3900. Service is good and the hotel is beautiful. Part of the Wyndham Group. Five star. Food is very good. Rates from about ₦43,000. 
  • 🌍 Transcorp Hilton Abuja, 1 Aguiyi Ironsi St, Maitama, ☏ +234 708 060 3000. Part of the Hilton Group and upholds a good standard. Something of an Abuja icon for business travelers, more deals have been concluded in the corridors of the Transcorp Hilton than in any other location in Nigeria. Five star - rates from about ₦80,000 for singles. Good for weekend lounging by the pool (₦2000 entry for non-residents of the hotel) at least. (updated Mar 2021)
  • 🌍 Sheraton Abuja, ☏ +234 9 461 2000. Not up to the standard of other Sheraton hotels, still a good experience with nice food. 

Stay safe

Abuja tends to be a sharp contrast against the background of the rest of Nigeria. While car hijackings and armed robbery are high in Lagos, and kidnapping of foreign oil workers is prevalent in the Niger delta, Abuja, in sharp contrast, is one of the safest metropolitan cities on the continent.

General security measures like elsewhere in the world should be observed. Like anywhere else in the world, it's always a good idea to have company when exploring unfamiliar places. If you're driving, observe simple measures like keeping your car door locked when parked to avoid opportunistic crime. Armed robbery at gun point is the most prevalent form of crime. A calm disposition and full cooperation with robbers is the best line of action in the unlikely event that you are the victim of a robbery.

Robbers tend to become violent when victims try to pull tricks. Contact your embassy in Abuja and the police if you are robbed. Occasional pick pockets target mobile phones and wallets as well. Do not carry large amounts of cash. Usually, US$250 cash (or ₦30,000) would more than suffice for impulsive purchases and other daily costs.

When moving in Abuja, as a foreign visitor, you are best advised to use the official Green Cabs. There's a remote chance that privately operated unofficial cabs could be traps. Cab fares would be around ₦500 for trips within the city. Cab rides to the airport are significantly higher. Negotiate a fare before you enter a cab.

There have been reports of fraudulent use of credit card details almost immediately after people have used their cards to pay hotel deposits, even in the very top hotels.

Cope

Embassies, Consulates and High Commissions

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