Nigeria

Nigeria is a very populous West African country. The official language is English, but Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba (which are also the names of major ethnic groups) are also widely spoken. The terrain includes mangroves, rainforest, savanna, desert, and river valleys. The climate is highly variable. Native animal species include the rock firefinch, the endangered savanna swamp shrew, and Lord Derby’s flying squirrel. Nigeria is a developing country with a mixed economy emerging market. Mainstays of the economy include natural resources, finances, law, communications, transportation, and investments. Diversification from the days of oil dependency has been helpful, but much of the population lives in real poverty.

Yankari National Park is one of the best places to view wildlife in Nigeria, and you can take a delightful dip at Wikki Warm Spring there. Osun Sacred Forest is a rainforest containing haunting sculptures. The Calabar Museum contains great historical artifacts, and you can go on a rainforest-canopy walk nearby at Afi Mountain Drill Ranch.

Rice, plantain, corn, millet, yam, and cassava in various preparations are popular starchy staples. Typical vegetables include spinach, tomatoes, and onions. Goat, beef, sheep, and fish, often smoked, are commonly eaten. Beans are an important part of the diet, too. Moimoi is steamed black-eyed peas wrapped in a moimoi leaf. Soups are also common. Try groundnut stew, flavored with tomato, onion, and many other possible additions. Egusi soup is made from melon seeds and similarly flavored. It is in fact possible to get an organic, vegan meal in Lagos. You can always cool out with a refreshing drink like the hibiscus-based zobo, or various millet or sorghum-based beverages. Watch out for palm wine’s stronger cousin, ogogoro. It can get ya!