NIGERIA BASICS

Nigeria is one of the liveliest places in Africa that continues to attract visitors from different parts of the world with a population of over 170 million people. Nigeria comprises of 36 states with beautiful beaches, ultra-modern city centers, houses built with opulent luxury, great architecture, scenic attraction sites, universities, museums, national parks, zoos, hotels, resorts and many other amenities visitors see.

VISA INFORMATION

Are you a citizen of a Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Côte d'ivoire, Gambia, Ghana? Then you do not require a visa to visit Nigeria. Citizens of all other countries require a visa obtainable from any Nigerian Embassy or Consulate close to them.
Visit here to apply for Visa. Do you have an African passport? See here to apply for Visa-on-Arrival (VoA). You will also be required to have proof of polio and yellow fever vaccinations to enter Nigeria.

AIRPORT AND TRAVEL

All international travel will be through Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos main international airport. Major airlines provide daily services to many international destinations. The airport is about 17-24 minutes’ drive from Zone Tech Park, the conference venue. Some hotels also offer pick-up services and we encourage participants with such options to use the services. Airport pick-up will be available on request for attendees arriving from the 18th of February, 2020. Please email the event organizers with your arrival details ahead of time to allow us to plan for pick-ups. Taxis are also available in addition to Uber and Bolt services.

ADVICE FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITORS

We are super excited about your visit and we can’t wait to welcome you to the OSCA FESTIVAL.
Please read this information carefully, and check every item. Some of it is crucial and it will help you have a better travel process.

1. Visa: You may need a visa to enter Nigeria. You must check this, otherwise, you will likely be denied entry, or probably not even be allowed to board your plane. Got any questions? Please contact us immediately.
2. Vaccination certificate: You must have yellow fever and polio vaccination certificate to enter Nigeria. Otherwise, you will likely be denied entry. Please ensure you have this in advance, do not leave it until the last minute. Other certificates include Hepatitis A, Tetanus, and Typhoid.
3. Malaria precautions: All of Nigeria, including Lagos, is indicated as a high-risk zone for malaria. Travelers are advised to take antimalarial medication such as Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil hydrochloride) and other precautions. After sunset, avoid mosquito bites by covering up with clothing (long sleeves, long trousers), using insect repellents on exposed skin, and when necessary: sleeping under a mosquito net. Ensure to bring the appropriate clothing and creams.
4. Arrival times: We hope to co-ordinate transport on arrival at the airport for some groups. We might not be able to do this for everyone, but please tell us:
   • The date and time of your arrival in Nigeria
   • The date and time of your departure from Nigeria
   • Your airline and flight numbers
   • Your accommodation location
   We will help if we can, please provide this information in good time.
5. Movies Recommendation: Watch any of the following Nigerian movies on Netflix if you can to get a feel of the vibe of urban Nigeria.
   • The Wedding Party
   • Up North
   • Fifty
6. Venue Highlights: Here are pictures of DevFest Lagos 2018 - same venue as the Open Source Festival, but the festival audience might not be as large.