How to Renew a Nigerian Passport

The lifespan of a Nigerian passport is 10 years, with an initial validity of 5 years. After the first 5 years, you are required to renew your passport, and after 10 years you will need to obtain a new passport, also called a reissue. When you renew your passport, a renewal sticker stating the next expiration date (5 years from the renewal date) is placed on the observations page. You can renew your passport at the Passport Office of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), if you are within the country, or at the Nigerian embassy or consulate if you are outside the country.

Step1
Find the nearest passport office, if you live in Nigeria. See link in Resources below for a list of NIS offices, zonal offices and passport offices around the country and their contact information.
Step2
Contact the nearest NIS office and find out its specific procedures for renewal applications, such as whether an appointment is necessary or if walk-ins are accepted, what the renewal fee is and how you should make your payment. Make an appointment if necessary. Bring your passport, as well as the renewal fee, along to your appointment at the passport office.

Step3
Contact the nearest embassy or consulate, if you are outside Nigeria, to find out what the policies for renewal are. Ask if walk-ins are accepted. Ask if you can mail in your passport. Find out how much it costs and how you should send in your payment. If you live close enough, then you may want to go in and have your passport renewed. If you are farther away, mail in your passport. See a link in Resources for a list of Nigerian consulates and embassies abroad and their contact information.

Step4
Renew your passport at the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, DC, New York or Atlanta (see Resources for a link) if you live in the U.S. If you live far away, mail in your passport with a money order for $45 (as of 2009), the renewal fee, and a filled-out renewal application. You can obtain a renewal application for each consulate on the consulate's website. You should receive your passport with a renewal sticker within a few days. Send your passport with a self addressed-envelope so it can be returned to you and use a trackable USPS mail service.

How to Use Your Laptop in Nigeria

Many people travel to Nigeria to escape the realities of work and chaos. These people may realize that being out of touch with the world can have some stresses of its own. Take your laptop when you visit Nigeria, and you'll have peace of mind knowing that your responsibilities are just a click away. Using your laptop in Nigeria is easy when you follow the right procedures.


Step1
Purchase a short-term insurance policy for your laptop before you travel to Nigeria. If your laptop were stolen, this plan would recover your costs. See the "Additional Resources" section for more information.

Step2
Prepare for differences in electricity. You will need an adapter plug to accommodate for plug types 'D' and 'G' in Nigeria. You may also need a transformer. Check the transformer block on your laptop to see what voltage capacity it handles. If it cannot handle 240V, then you will also need to obtain a transformer.

Step3
Pack an Internet connection kit that contains a spare phone cord, an extra Ethernet network cable, a phone adapter, and a surge protector. You may not need all of these items, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

Step4
Choose a hotel that provides a dataport for laptop modems and free high-speed Internet access. You'll be able to connect to the Internet right from your hotel room. This will save you time and money.

Step5
Locate Wi-Fi hotspots to use your wireless Internet on the go. See the "Additional Resources" section to learn how to search a massive directory of Wi-Fi hotspots to find locations in Nigeria close to where you'll be vacationing.

Step6
Use an encryption program to back up sensitive data in case your laptop falls into the wrong hands. Truecrypt, a free program, is an easy program to use because the encryption is real-time and automatic. The correct password will decrypt the data for you.

How to Open a Savings Account in Nigeria

A Savings account is a flexible account that offers interest on customer balance with facility for easy withdrawal of funds.
Opening a Bank Account in Nigeria is a pretty easy task. There are currently 25 banks in Nigeria, all competing for customer savings. Each of these banks have their different and diverse market niches in which they hope to get sale leads. A customer must be very careful in his/her selection of which bank to use.


Step1
Make a choice of the bank you want to use. There are currently 25 banks operating in Nigeria

Step2
Visit the nearest branch of the bank you intend to use

Step3
Ask for the customer service department or desk and make your intentions known.

Step4
Fill the required forms and provide all the required documents.
Step5
Ask for your ATM Card and other value added products or services that the banks offer.

How to Get Immunized for Nigeria

Nigeria's diversity is its blessing and its curse. With over 250 different cultural groups, Nigeria is colorful and combustible. Located in western Africa, Nigeria is Africa's most populous country. Travelers are advised to avoid the Niger Delta; crime and political unrest are other issues. It is wise to stay current on travel warnings and bulletins. For travel to Nigeria, follow these steps to get immunizations.


Step1
Check that all routine vaccinations, including influenza, polio, diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT), chickenpox and measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), are up-to-date. Polio is still endemic to Nigeria. A family physician can update these immunizations, but go early; vaccines may require 4 to 6 weeks to become effective.

Step2
Get vaccinated for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, polio, rabies and typhoid as recommended by a physician. These are the immunizations recommended by the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) for travel to Nigeria. The CDC keeps a current list of all required and recommended vaccinations for Nigeria on its website.

Step3
Discuss a meningococcal vaccination with your doctor. This vaccine against meningitis is recommended by the CDC for travelers to Nigeria during the dry season, which is December through June. The western and northern areas of Nigeria are in the "Meningitis Belt," where the risk for contracting the disease is greatest.

Step4
Consider a yellow fever vaccination. Like all of its neighbors, Nigeria is in the yellow fever zone; travels are at risk for contracting yellow fever. Nigeria requires an International Certificate of Vaccine (ICV) for yellow fever for all those entering from countries where yellow fever is present. Check the CDC website for a list of yellow fever immunization clinics or consult with a medical doctor.

Step5
Begin taking anti-malaria drugs prior to arrival in Nigeria. All areas of Nigeria are risk areas for malaria. The CDC recommends taking atovaquone/ proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine for malaria prevention for traveling in Nigeria. Talk to a physician regarding malaria prevention and follow the instructions. Anti-malaria drugs must also be continued after leaving a malaria risk area.

Step6
Take precautions against insect bites. Many diseases in Nigeria are transmitted through bites from insects. To minimize the risk of insect bites wear protective clothing, such as a hat, long sleeves and long pants; sleep under insect netting, use insect repellent; and remain indoors during peak insect activity times (dawn and dusk).

How to Find Cheap Hotels in Abuja Nigeria

Step1
Find cheap accommodations in the Three Arms Zone of the Central District in Abuja. Accommodations here position you near the legislative and administrative offices of the government and close to the central city sites like the National Church and the National Mosque.

Step2
Acquire cheap accommodations in the Garki District, southwest of the Abuja city center. The Garki District is the primary business district of the city, and houses several hotels and shopping complexes.

Step3
Attain cheap accommodations in the Wuse District. This district in the northwest part of the city contains the main market for the town and several hotels.

Step4
Stay in the northern district of Maitama. Although this district is known for being the most expensive and luxurious area of Abuja, cheap accommodations can be found by planning ahead.
Know Your Destination in Abuja, Nigeria

Step1
Realize Abuja is a bustling city of over 2.5 million residents, making it an area that attracts a decent amount of tourism due to its size and position as Nigeria's capital.

Step2
Check with the Department of State about precautions or warnings concerning travel to Nigeria before planning your trip. Tensions and a lack of security in the region have resulted in past travel warnings.

Step3
Obtain a tourist visa for your travel and stay in Abuja, Nigeria. All passport holders are required to have a visa for entry into the country.

Step4
Pursue the latest health information for travelers to Nigeria from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control Web site before booking your cheap accommodations. Check the World Health Organization Web site for disease updates in the region as well.

How to Find Bank Jobs in Nigeria

Bank Jobs in Nigeria face stiff competition, but it is possible to land good bank jobs in Nigeria if you persevere and develop the necessary skills. Finding a bank job in Nigeria is easiest if you have previous banking or customer service experience. Bank jobs in Nigeria include jobs at several different banks and many can be applied for online. However, success depends on your ability to make an impression, which is often better done in person. Follow each bank's guidelines as you apply for bank jobs in Nigeria. Here are some tips and resources for looking for bank jobs in Nigeria.

Steep1
Begin the search for bank jobs in Nigeria by updating and polishing your resume (called a CV) with the applicable information. Highlight the skills in demand for bank jobs in Nigeria, such as previous banking experience, higher education and bank training.

Step2
Flag of Nigeria Flag of Nigeria Find openings for bank jobs in Nigeria by looking online. Discuss bank jobs in Nigeria on forums such as the one at the NairaLand website. Find the thread "Twenty Career Pages of Nigerian Bank Websites" as a good starting point.

Step3
Search for bank jobs in Nigeria at bank websites and sites for career postings, such as the Careers Nigeria website.

Step4
Nigerian Currency Nigerian Currency Become familiar with the Nigerian Naira (₦), the unit of currency in Nigeria, which is obviously essential for working bank jobs in Nigeria.

Step5
Apply for bank jobs in Nigeria at your local branch offices. Bring your CV and request an interview. Even if there is no current opening, ask the bank manager to keep your CV on file.

Step6
Persevere in your search for a bank job in Nigeria by telling friends and family members to keep an eye out for bank job openings for you.