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  '''Nigeria''' is a country in [[Africa]]. It is bordered by [[Benin ]] to the west, [[Niger ]] to the north, [[Chad ]] (via Lake Chad) to the extreme east, and [[Cameroon ]] to the south. With a population of 167 million, approximately one in five Africans is Nigerian. This also means that one in five African criminals is Nigerian, a fact that has given them a fairly bad reputation for high crime and low safety in their country. The fact that Nigeria is often in the world news for negative reasons - whether the Biafra conflict, the struggle for oil in the Niger Delta (and the routine kidnapping of foreigners that resulted), government corruption, the current Boko Haram terrorist threat in Kano and other northern areas, or the worldwide Nigerian email scams - has extended the country's bad reputation worldwide. However if you are aware of the risks and a vigilant traveller, it is possible to have a wonderfully rewarding experience hitchhiking Nigeria.  

 [[File: view77.jpg|thumb|left|500px400px| The friendly ride people that gave hitchhiker [[user:notapalooka|Alyssa]] a ride to the Niger/Nigerian border. Rainy season in the desert.]]    

It is best to try to find rides once outside the cities. Inside there are far too many taxis/moto-taxis/vans/buses hungrily searching for passengers. You can easily recognize them by typical green color with yellow strip in the middle. Not to mention hitching in plain view of hard working locals may instigate negative feelings from those looking desperately to make their $1 profit for the day. Get to the end of town and signal vehicles by holding out your arm horizontally, palm face down, and waving up and down.

Finding a place to pass the night is also as easy as asking to speak with a village chief or community leader. All the better if you have a tent. Even national parks (i.e. Yankari) or other tourist establishments (although these are admittedly very limited) may take you in if you approach in the right way. In the cities Couchsurfing and the like are becoming popular.

It is important to know what which areas are safe and which are risky, as this can change rapidly. Locals will usually give reliable advice and contrary to popular belief, Nigerian police can be very helpful. As in many parts of Africa they will find it strange that a foreigner is travelling by hitchiking (most locals would not do it as they see it as begging and therefore below them, particularly on main roads where public transit is readily available). With all the political coups that reign throughout Nigeria's 50 years of independence, the police have learned to be somewhat suspicious and they may question your motives, so give them no reason to suspect you of being a spy. They are inherently suspicious of cameras, so keep them hidden around police and do not take pictures of government buildings. Otherwise police will generally not hinder you or ask for bribes. As is the case in most African countries, requesting bribes is reserved for rich people in shiny SUVs flashing fancy cameras and iPhones, not for slightly grubby looking foreigners 'begging' for free rides. In some areas, particularly farther north and east, the police may prove happy to assist with helping you find rides, or even offering a place to sleep.

It is also important to note that there is Islamic Sharia law in effect If you are riding in a car altogether with locals during the night, you can be asked by the northern statespolice if everything is OK. This issue has become more serious in recent years due is mostly because they want to the increased activity of Al Qaeda affiliated group Boko Haram. Again, make sure to look into the current situation in the area you plan to travel through, and always ask for adviceare not kidnapped. Despite the Sharia law Don't be surprised and its tendency to restrict women, hitchhiker [[user:notapalooka| Alyssa]] hitched solo throughout the country, including several northern states, without issue/or blindsided.

LastlyIt is also important to note that there is Islamic Sharia law in effect in the northern states. This issue has become more serious in recent years due to the increased activity of Al Qaeda affiliated group Boko Haram. Again, make sure to look into the current situation in the area you plan to travel through, watch out and always ask for bad driversadvice. You will see Despite the Sharia law and its tendency to restrict women, it is possible for a lot of wrecks on solo woman to hitch solo throughout the side of the roadcountry without issue (as Alyssa did in 2010), however being highly assertive is important.

[[File:wreck77Lastly, watch out for bad drivers.jpg|thumb|right|500px|Typical sight You will see a lot of wrecks on West African highwaysthe side of the road. A much better reminder than any ordinary It is all the time handy to have some "Drive Safefirst aid kit" sign]] , for instance an old one from a car, with gloves.

English is the official language, and thanks to British colonialism and the structure of the country there is a relatively high level of education among the general population - most people speak at least conversational English. In fact most Most Nollywood films are in English, or its relative African English creole/pidgin (which is almost an entirely unique language with its own grammar structure - difficult , but possible, to understand for the untrained English -speaker's ear). Otherwise, there There are also over 500 regional local languages spoken throughout the country, some regional dialects of each other, some completely unique. Every Nigerian will also (very likely) speak one or more of the three national languages: Hausa (north), Yoruba (southwest) or Igbo (south east). It can be helpful and a sign of respect to learn greetings and basic phrases in the language of the region you are traveling through. Even giving a shot at 'hello' will get smiles from anyone aroundlistening. 

=== [[Benin ]] ===