Welcome to Nigeria
About Nigeria
Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a Federal Republic in West Africa, bordering Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in the north. Its coast in the south lies on the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean. It comprises 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, where the capital, Abuja is located. Nigeria is officially a democratic secular country.
Nigeria is often referred to as the “Giant of Africa”, owing to its large population and economy. With over 190 million inhabitants, Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the seventh most populous country in the world. The country is viewed as a multinational state as it is inhabited by over 500 ethnic groups, of which the three largest are the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba; these ethnic groups speak over 500 different languages and are identified with a wide variety of cultures.
Language
The official language is English. Nigeria is divided roughly in half between Christians, who live mostly in the southern part of the country, and Muslims, who live mostly in the north. A minority of the population practise religions indigenous to Nigeria, such as those native to the Igbo and Yoruba ethnicities.
Electricity
Electricity in Nigeria is 220-240 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. If you travel to Nigeria with a device that does not accept 240 Volts at 50 Hertz, you will need a foreign travel voltage converter.
Currency
The naira (sign: ₦; code: NGN) is the currency of Nigeria. It is subdivided into 100 kobo. Currently, the value of the Naira is fixed to the euro at a rate of €1 = NGN 418, US$ 1.00 = NGN 360. Delegates and participants are advised to check exchange rates at the time of their arrival in Nigeria. Credit cards are only accepted by major establishments that cater to tourists and a commission is charged for their use. The Master card, Visa Card, Verve are the most widely accepted credit card.
Conference Venue
The SGA Africa 1st African Regional Conference on Ageing: New Consensuses for Innovative Multi-Level Engagements will be held at Ladi Kwali Hall Sheraton Abuja Hotel, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, Nigeria. Date 5 – 7 November, 2018. Time 8:00am – 5:00pm
Conference Program and Time Schedule
Conference Concept note, sub themes and other conference documents are available on the website here.
Printed copies will also be made available at the venue of the Forum.
The opening plenary of the conference will commence at 8.00 a.m. on Monday, 5th November 2018, at the Ladi Kwali Hall Sheraton, Abuja.
Conference Registration
Confirm your participation
Click HERE to register. Registration is open until November 15, 2019.
Enquires and Support
Contact Persons
Emem Omokaro Ph.D
Co-Chair, SGA Africa
Roseline Kihumba
Co-Chair, SGA Africa
Interpretation and documentation
Simultaneous interpretation in English and French will be available for the plenary sessions and certain parallel sessions.
Registration and badges
To expedite the registration process, participants are asked to register online. Register Here.
The deadline for online registration is 25th October 2018.
Visa and immigration requirements
In order to enter Nigeria, all participants must obtain an entry visa and present a passport that is valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into the country. All participants coming from countries in which there are Nigerian embassies or consulates are strongly advised to obtain visas prior to arrival in Nigeria. Those who are from the ECOWAS REGIGION have a right of entry with their passport stamped by immigration at entry point. However, they must also have a valid ECOWAS Passport and Yellow Fever inoculation card
All Participants requesting visas upon arrival should carry with them their Registration information/ personal official letter of invitation to the Forum and present to the immigration authorities at the airport as the case may be.
Health requirements
Malaria
The Malaria virus disease is endemic to Nigeria. However, the risk to travellers is low. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should discuss their travel plans with their doctor and, if they decide to travel to Nigeria, should take strict measures to prevent mosquito bites.
You will need to take prescription medicine before, during and after your trip to prevent malaria. Your doctor can help you to decide which medicine is right for you and discuss other steps that you can take to prevent malaria.
Vaccines and medicines
You should check the list of vaccinations and medicines recommended for travellers to Nigeria and visit your doctor, ideally four to six weeks prior to your trip, in order to get the vaccinations and medicines needed. All travellers should also be up to date on routine vaccinations.
Typhoid
You can get typhoid through contaminated food or water. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention recommend this vaccine for most travellers, especially those who are staying with friends or relatives, visiting smaller cities or rural areas, or who are adventurous eaters.
Country entry requirement:
Yellow fever Health recommendation: Centres for Disease Control and Prevention recommend this vaccine for all travellers who are 9 months of age or older. The Government of Nigeria requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for those travelling from countries where there is a risk of yellow fever.
You are advised to bring an adequate supply of your routine medications for the duration of your stay in Nigeria. Such medications may not be found locally and you cannot afford to interrupt your treatment.
Airport reception and transportation
SGA Africa will provide transportation to delegates/Keynote Speakers from the airport to the hotels and between the hotels and the forum venue.
Transportation to and From Conference Venue
Shuttle buses will be available to delegates and participants for traveling between their hotels and the forum venue in the mornings and at the end of the daily sessions. Transportation will not be provided during lunch breaks. Delegates and participants are encouraged to remain in the Forum complex during lunch breaks, where lunch will be provided by the organizers.
In the event that delegates and participants wish to arrange transportation to outside the time of the Forum or to go to the airport at the end of the Forum, information and contact details of recommended taxi and car hire companies in Abuja will be made available by the secretariat of the Forum.
Hotel Accommodation
Delegates and participants should make their own hotel reservations, either online or by contacting the hotel directly. Block bookings of hotel rooms at special SGA Africa rates are available to participants staying at the hotels listed in the annex. The deadline for confirming the reservations for those rooms is 25th October, 2018. After that date, rooms that have not been confirmed will be released. The hotels will then accept accommodation requests on the basis of room availability only.
A list of recommended hotels in Abuja, room types and room rates can be found here and can be downloaded here. Delegates and participants will be responsible for paying for their own hotel accommodation. Payment can be made in Nigerian Naira or in any convertible currency, including United States dollars. Although payment in cash is preferred, some hotels also accept credit cards.
All delegates and participants are kindly requested to note that the secretariat of the conference will not be in a position to arrange hotel accommodation for those who fail to make their own arrangements directly. In addition to accommodation costs, delegates and participants will be responsible for all other associated costs (e.g., meals, telephone, Internet and fax use, room service, mini-bar use and laundry service), and must pay for these directly when checking out of the hotel.
For Hotel Reservations and Discounts.
Facilities and services
Delegates and participants are encouraged to bring their laptops. Free internet Access will be provided at Conference venue. Sheraton Abuja Hotels has a travel desk that will be able to assist with Travel. In addition, there will be banking and medical facilities that delegates and participants will have access to.