Maiduguri

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Shehu Palace Maiduguri
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Maiduguri, also known locally as Yerwa, is a city of 800,000 people (2021 estimate) in Northeastern Nigeria. It is the capital of the Borno State. Since 2009, it has been the heart of the Boko Haram insurgency.

Understand

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Maiduguri is the principal trading hub for north-eastern Nigeria. Its economy is largely based on services and trade with a small share of manufacturing.

Maiduguri is home to three markets which include a modern "Monday market".

Get in

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11.85340413.0851011 Maiduguri International AirportCategory:Has map markers (MIU Category:Airport code pages missing IATA). It handles domestic flights from Lagos via the capital Abuja, and Yola. Maiduguri International Airport on Wikipedia Maiduguri International Airport (Q3497345) on Wikidata OSM directions (updated Mar 2019)

There have been no passenger services to Maiduguri, the government wants to reestablish the rail link and have made several promises of renewed traffic "soon". Don't hold your breath, though as the lines are targeted by organized armed groups. The old 11.86255913.1567352 Maiduguri railway stationCategory:Has map markers is north of city center.

Buses are the main form of land transport and ABC Transport amongst others offers overnight from Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and daytime buses from Kano and Jos.

Travelling by car is not possible, due to insecurity on all national highways in and out of Maiduguri preventing travel by anyone except local people. NGOs, UN and government staff are forbidden from travelling more than a few kilometers out of Maiduguri by road, and attacks, robberies, and informal checkpoints either by Islamist insurgents or common criminals is extremely common. National roads A3, which continues towards N'Djamena, and A4 passes by the city.

Get around

Map of Maiduguri

You will occasionally see large convoys of military jeeps, passenger vans, and black SUVs driving through the city at high speeds with sirens on. Do not attempt to overtake or cut into these convoys, which mainly transport government officials between the airport and Government House. To pass the time, try to count the number of vehicles in the convoy: the higher the number, the more important the person. Yellow kekes (tuk-tuks), blue buses and tricycles are local ways of transportation. Count 1USD (1,500NGN) for 45mins of keke, and 20cents (300NGN for the same by tricycle). Sitting on the side of the tricycle can be dangerous though, and expose you to robbers.

See

  • 11.82985513.1482011 Borno State MuseumCategory:Has map markers. M-Sa 8AM-5PM. Antiquities, contemporary art works, crafts and other historical artifacts of the people of Borno State. Borno State Museum (Q109376439) on Wikidata OSM directions (updated Apr 2022)
  • 11.83333313.152 Emir Palace MaiduguriCategory:Has map markers. This is the palace of the Borno Emirate. This realm dates from the early 20th century, but its rulers stem from the Bornu Empire, which was founded in the 1380s. The Emir is a ceremonial ruler rather than an absolute monarch, but he is an influential figure, honoured by 4 million Kanuri. Borno Emirate on Wikipedia Borno Emirate (Q4946145) on Wikidata (updated Jul 2024)
  • 11.81808413.1423183 Indimi central mosqueCategory:Has map markers, Maiduguri-Numan Road. Indimi Jummu'at mosque, it's very beautiful place that everyone would like to watch. OSM directions (updated Aug 2024)
  • 11.86842313.1758264 Mai Deribe PalaceCategory:Has map markers, Maiduguri-Old Maiduguri GRA. An oil baron's palace from the 1970's. The palace is very richly decorated, including gold in many walls, Louis XV-style furniture and features a lion's skin carpet. It welcomed Lady Diana and Juan Carlos II. Prices are informal, you can expect to pay 1500-2000NGN per person for the guards and the same for the visit. Visits should be arranged before by a local who knows the family. OSM directions (updated Oct 2024)

Do

Buy

Eat

Drink

  • 11.977613.14451 City Star BarCategory:Has map markers, Yerima Rd, ☏ +234 802 733-7732. Daily 10AM-10PM. Dine-in. Takeaway. OSM directions (updated Jun 2021)
  • 11.866513.23352 Sahel Hotel & barCategory:Has map markers, Bama-Maiduguri Rd. 24 hours. Takeaway. Delivery. OSM directions (updated Jun 2021)
  • 11.877513.15563 NAF MessCategory:Has map markers, Circular Rd. 24 hours. Within the National Air Force compound. Dine-in. Takeaway. Delivery. OSM directions (updated Oct 2024)
  • 11.80514313.1563314 RB HotelCategory:Has map markers, At the junction between Agoja Road and Harang Road. 24 hours. Nice terrace. Dine-in. Takeaway. Delivery. OSM directions (updated Oct 2024)
  • 11.81382113.1504175 Amada International HotelCategory:Has map markers, Shehu Sanda Kyarimi Primary School, crescent, Maiduguri. 24 hours. Nice terrace (no light at night, you need to go to the bamboo floor). Dine-in. Takeaway. Delivery. OSM directions (updated Oct 2024)
  • 11.8123813.1421136 Amada International Hotel annexCategory:Has map markers, Close to Gumbudali Shopping Complex, Off Circular Road, ☏ +234 812 229-8227. 24 hours. Dine-in. Takeaway. Delivery. OSM directions (updated Oct 2024)
  • 11.81886613.1536387 Lake Chad ClubCategory:Has map markers, Right by the City Star Hotel entrance. 24 hours. Upon invitation from a member, or by paying a fee. The entrance is 1,000 NGN, lifelong membership 60,000NGN. Dine-in. Takeaway. Delivery. OSM directions (updated Oct 2024)

Sleep

Usually, fancy places with 24/24 electricity and AC prices range from 50,000NGN. Cheaper hotels prices range from 25,000NGN, but electricity and ACs may never work during your stay (October 2024).

Stay safe

Maiduguri is the epicenter of the Islamist Insurgency in Northeast Nigeria and, despite heavy military presence and relative security within the confines of the city, militants are able to move freely only 20 km from the city center. Rocket and mortar attacks on targets within Maiduguri, particularly in the west of the city around the airport, are common. Bomb attacks within the city have not happened for some time, but cannot be ruled out. Any person coming to Maiduguri for the first time should be well acquainted with War zone safety.

The North of Maiduguri as well as other less urban outskirts are extremely unsafe with occurrences of violent and non-violent crime and occasionally communal violence. Risks range from pickpocketing to muggings and abduction for ransom. The lack of mains electricity within the city means that much of it is very dark after nightfall. Do not walk on the streets at night and ensure that the doors to your accommodation are locked securely. You should aim to stay in accommodation with high, barbed wire walls and armed security if possible.

If you find yourself approaching a protest or demonstration where people seem agitated, calmly but quickly turn your vehicle around and drive away. Do not attempt to pass through crowds in a vehicle. Demonstrations in Maiduguri are illegal, and can quickly devolve into violence on the side of either police or demonstrators. Foreigners may be targeted at such events.

It is recommended that you hire a vehicle with a driver while in Maiduguri. Ensure that drivers have all relevant credentials and that vehicles are in good condition.

The city is under a perpetual state of curfew although the exact times have been adjusted by the military theatre since late 2023 at 11PM. Cars stopped at one of the numerous police/vigilantes checkpoints after curfew can be extensively questioned and you may rarely be requested to pay a "special fine" to the men on duty. Do not take photographs of military personnel or government installations.

Connect

Maiduguri is a city in northeastern Nigeria, and connecting with people there may require some effort due to the current security situation. However, here are some ways to connect with people in Maiduguri:

  • Phone Use mobile phone networks like MTN, Glo, or Airtel to reach out to individuals or organizations.
  • Local Radio Stations Reach out to local radio stations broadcasting in Maiduguri to share messages or announcements.
  • Community Centers Connect with community centers, mosques, or churches to reach local residents.

Cope

Go next

This city travel guide to Maiduguri is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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