LOGISTICAL INFORMATION

Conference Venue

11.       The International Conference Centre is in Area 11, Garki, in the Central Business District of Abuja. It is within convenient driving distance from Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, and easily accessible from across Abuja.

Formalities for Entry into Nigeria

12         All visitors to Nigeria must hold passports or ECOWAS traveling documents (for nationals from ECOWAS member countries). Citizens of countries for which Nigeria requires visas must obtain the visas in advance from Nigerian embassies or consulates abroad. UN Laissez–Passer holders and passport holders from ECOWAS member countries are exempted from visa requirements.  Those requiring visas and coming from countries without a Nigerian Embassy will be able to obtain a visa at the airport upon arrival. 

13        Vaccination for yellow fever is mandatory for travelers who enter Nigeria from infected areas. International certificates of yellow ever vaccination will be checked upon arrival at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos; Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja; and all other entry ports. Travelers from infected areas who do not have proof of vaccination will be vaccinated, for a fee, before entering Nigeria.

Registration and Accreditation

14.       Delegates and observers should register upon arrival at the International Conference Centre. All delegates, observers, quests, and support staff will be issued badges giving access to designated areas of the Centre. The registration desk will be open from 8 AM to 7 PM from Thursday, 8 June, throughout the Summit. The Summit Secretariat and Local Organising Committee will issue a provisional list of participants on day 1 of the Summit.

Communication Services

15.        A Communication Services Desk will provide email, postal, telephone, telex, fax, and tourism information. Eight Nigerian companies provide mobile telephone services. All use GSM standard, and also offer fax, data transmission, and voice mail facilities. Mobile phone SIM cards and airtime can be purchased at the Communications Desk [???].

Medical and Health Care

16.       First aid medical services will be provided at the Summit Clinic. Participants will have access to internationally recognized Abuja medical centers. Ambulances will serve the Summit 24 hours a day. Still, delegates are advised to take out medical travel insurance from a reputable company.

Airport Arrangements

17.       Nigerian authorities will make special arrangements to help Summit participants with immigration, customs, and baggage. The Summit will provide transport to and from hotels for participants who have communicated, in advance, flight details. Participants must inform the Chairperson, Local Organising Committee, at least 3 weeks before arrival of carrier, flight number, arrival time, and other relevant information to ensure they are met at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, or Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, or other entry points.

18.       Delegates who do not inform the Summit Secretariat of flight details must pay their own transport to and from the airport. There will be no reimbursement. Participants may hire additional transport, but at their own cost. Rental vehicles are available in Abuja from reputable companies. Drivers must have a valid driver’s license with a photo of the holder, in English, French, or other international languages. Nigeria recognises the International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic. Participants who require chauffeur-driven vehicles can arrange this through Abuja car companies.

Check-in time for international flights is 2 hours before departure. The travel time from your hotel to Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport is about 1 hour. To avoid inconveniences, please the Logistics Committee of the departure dates and times of all members in each delegation.

Security Arrangemenst

19.        Security will be provided for the Summit participants at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. Under no circumstances will weapons be allowed on the Centre premises. Universal safety precautions should be observed such as not leaving handbags, briefcases, or mobile phones on the front or back passenger seats of vehicles.

Foreign Exchange and Banking Facilities

20.       There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency, in cash or traveler’s cheques, that can be brought into Nigeria Nigeria by nonresidents, provided the amount is declared on arrival. Most internationally recognized currencies and traveler’s cheques can be exchanged at commercial banks, hotels, and international airports.

A bank/foreign exchange desk will be established on the Summit premises for currency conversion. The foreign exchange desk and banks will also provide information on exchange rates, and can arrange currency transfers. Bureau de Change facilities are widely available. The monetary unit is the naira. At the time this guide was prepared, the official exchange rate was about 132 naira: $1 US dollar, 240 naira: 1 British pound, 164.5 naira: 1 Euro, and 0.24 naira: 1 CFA. Banking hours are 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. on weekdays. Only a few banks offer weekend banking services, but those that do are open from 9 A.M. to 1 P.M. on Saturdays.

Business and Shopping Hours

21.        Shopping hours vary but most shops in Abuja are open from 9 A.M. to 6 P.M. Government offices are open from 9 A.M. to 4 P.M.

Hotel Accommodation

22.        A wide range of accommodation is available in Abuja, from five- star hotels to more economic accommodations. The Summit will be a large gathering, so delegates are urged to book accommodations as quickly as possible. Please complete the accompanying forms for hotel reservations and notification of arrival, and send them to the Chairperson, Local Organizing Committee. Also attached is a list of hotels, distances from International Conference Centre, categories (5-star, 4-star, etc.), room rates, telephone numbers, fax numbers and E-mail addresses for participants to use in booking.

23.       Please note that delegates are required to settle their own hotel bills, including meals, bar, telephone charges, and laundry services, before departure.

Weather

24.        During June the temperature in Abuja ranges from a minimum of 18 C to a maximum of 35 C. Air relative humidity ranges from 60% to 80%.

Time Zone

25.             Nigeria is in the GMT + 1 hour time zone.

Voltage

26.             The voltage in Abuja is 220V AC. Sockets are rectangular, with three prongs.

Customs

27.             Visitors are allowed limited amount of duty free items which they must declare. Imports of professional articles such as video and voice recording equipment, are subject to special authorization. Foreign correspondents must [??? WHAT?] to bring recording and transmission equipment into Nigeria. Special permission would be needed to bring in sports firearms

Airlines

28.             The following airlines operate international flights to and from Nigeria on regular basis. Delegates are to arrange their own travel to and from the Lagos or Abuja international airports.

Egypt Air, Bellview Airlines, Cameroon Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Air Gabon, South African Airways, Virgin Nigeria Airlines, Aero Contractors Airlines, Sudan Airlines, Senegal airlines, Ghana Airways, Aeroflot-Russian Airlines, Air France, Alitalia, Tapa Air Portugal, Balkan Airlines, British Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airline, Lufthansa Airline, Middle East Airlines, Sabena Airlines, Swiss Air, and Afriqiyya Airlines

29.             For delegates and participants coming through Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, there are several connecting flights to and from Abuja from 7 A.M. to 8 P.M. daily, as provided by the following local airlines.

1. ADC Airlines                  2. Aero Contractors            3. Chachangi Airlines

No 84 Opebi Road,                MM Airport                        8 Ahmadu Bello Way

Tel: +234.1.496.5750            Local Wing, Lagos              Kadun

      +234.1.496.2657              Tel: +234.1.497.9122-4      Tel: +234.62.23.1778

                                                                                         +234.62.23.3145

                                                                                                 Fax:+234.62.23.1010

4. Bellview Airlines                    5. EAS Airlines                       6.Virgin Nigeria Airline

    31-37 Waterparks Plaza             MM Airport

    Toyin Street, Ikeja, Lagos          Domestoc Wing, Ikeja

    Tel: +234.1.497.0061                Lagos

           +234.1.497.4749               Tel:+234.1.497.5016

                                                        +234.1.452.8686

7. IRS Airlines                       8. Albarka Airlines

     10 Wharf Road                     MM Airport

     Apapa, Lagos                       Domestic Wing, Ikeja

     Tel: +234.1.773.8015            Lagos

                                               Tel: +234.1.470.4100

Leisure and Places to Visit

30.             There are numerous historic and tourist attractions, and entertainment spots, in and around Abuja. The notable attractions include the Abuja Millennium Park, the Abuja Botanical and Zoological Gardens, the Nigerian Village & Zuma Rock, The Dome, Grand Square, the National Zoo, and places where the famous and historic Kwali pottery is made.