See
Learn
Nigeria's complicated but
fascinating history at the
National Museum,
which covers everything from
mythical religion to
military dictatorship.
Explore the heaving blanket
of markets on Lagos
Island and the Lekki
Peninsular, or browse
the galleries of traditional
and modern art at the
National Gallery.
Check
out
the Muson Centre (Musical
Society of Nigeria) for
up-and-coming performances
of Nigeria's legendary
musicians, such as King
Sunny Ade. Go to the
National Theatre on a
Sunday afternoon to join the
thousands who stream here to
watch Nigerian-made movies
and meet their stars.
Visit
the African art galleries
dotted around Victoria
Island and along Ikoyi's
Awolowo Road, bargain
hard for jewellery and
crafts at the curio markets,
or shop in style at the
Nike Davies-Okundaye Gallery.
For imported items from a
bar of soap to a washing
machine, the Mega Plaza
has everything on offer, but
at a price.
Escape
the city for the afternoon
and wander through the
mangrove forest
at
the Lekki Conservation
Centre, home to monkeys
and reptiles. From the
elevated boardwalk you may
see monitor lizards and
small crocodiles in the
swamps and mona monkeys,
cuckoos, kingfishers and
kites in the trees. Dodge
the oil tankers in Lagos
Harbour in a speed boat to
Tarkwa Bay and spend
relaxed hours on the beach
overlooking the harbour and
Atlantic.
Nigeria is famous for its
highlife, juju and afro-beat
music. Jazzy and very
danceable, there are live
performances at venues such
as Afrika Shrine and
Motherlan' on the
mainland, but only go
accompanied. The excellent
Jazz Hole bookshop
hosts regular live events
and has CDs for sale from
all over West Africa.
Lagos
holds a huge choice of
cuisines. The string of
restaurants on Ikoyi's
Awolowo Road offers
Nigerian starch and fiery
pepper soups, plus Italian,
Chinese, Lebanese and Tex-mex.
Victoria Island has
the best eateries dotted
around in large houses, from
French to Indian and a
couple of superb
deli/sandwich shops.
A
landmark skyscraper on
Victoria Island, the Federal
Palace Hotel has a fine
terrace and cocktail bar
overlooking the vast Lagos
Lagoon. Sip a cold Nigerian
Star beer and watch the tiny
fishing canoes weave their
way through the giant
rusting hulks of abandoned
ships in the harbour.
Nigeria
became an independent
nation, after years of
colonial rule from
Britain, on 1 October
1960. The Independence
Day festivities are the
country's biggest annual
celebration.
is
rewarded. Stallholders sells a dazzling array of African
masks and other beautiful cultural artefacts, including
Nigerian beadwork and cloth. Things can occasionally get
a little physical, so many visitors hire a "boy" or two
to provide some muscle and help them get to the front of
the queue. If you want to see the real Lagos in action,
this is the place to go.
Art
Centre offers visitors
the unique opportunity
to study arts and crafts
among skilled exponents
of traditional mediums.
Adire, batik, indigo,
beadwork, painting,
carving, embroidery,
metalwork, weaving and
drumming are all
available for tutoring,
but there is no syllabus
to follow and the
emphasis is firmly on
personal accomplishment.
crescent-shaped
beach along the Lagos
harbour, Tarkwa Bay
makes for a relaxing day
out. Deckchairs, tents
and canopies are
available for rental and
local vendors offer
refreshing treats. Go
for a cooling swim, lay
back with a tropical
coconut drink or wander
off in search of the
Lord Lugard bunker,
built during the Second
World War and buried on
the grounds.