Overview Of Jos
Jos is the capital city of Plateau State, Nigeria. Located in the country's middle belt, the city has a population of about 1 million people. Jos is the major producer of tin in the country, and as a result as led to the migration of people from other parts of Nigeria including Igbos, Yorubas, and some European investors. Plateau state used to be known as the home of peace and tourism but since 2001, the city has experienced some religious riots between Muslims and Christians. However, tourist activities have not ceased in the city. Tourist attractions in the city include the National Museum, Rayfield Golf Course, and Plateau Golf Course. One of the most popular festivals in Jos is the Nzem Berom Festival, celebrating crop harvest, hunting expeditions etc.?Jos is linked to other cities and towns in the country by road, rail, and air. Flights into the city are operated via the Yakubu Gowon Airport. ?Jos is the birthplace of a lot of notable Nigerians including the first female professor of physics, Deborah Enilo Ajakaiye.
Best Time To Book Flights To Jos
Arik Air is the only airline operating domestic flights into Jos, with its city of departure in Lagos. Like the habit of most airlines, the prices of tickets tend to be less expensive when they are first sold. Travellers into Jos can also take advantage of this air travel phenomenon by booking their flights at least 45 days before their departure.
It is no surprise that flight fares are generally more expensive during religious celebrations including Christmas, New Year, and Easter celebrations for the Christians, and Ramadan or Eid El Fitr celebrations for the Muslims. This is due to the existence of both Muslims and Christians in the city. Besides these occasions and other annual events, the prices of tickets are generally stable and easier to book at any time. Any increase in fares during these neutral periods may be as a result of the economy and exchange rates.
Arik Air operates daily flights from Lagos to Jos, travellers should be on the lookout for cheap deals on tickets.
Best Time To Visit Jos
Tourist activities barely cease in J-Town but travellers will do well to take note of the climatic conditions and annual events here so that they can schedule their visits for maximum enjoyment.
Weather Conditions In Jos
The climate in Jos is a tropical climate. The city experiences more temperate climates than most states in the country. Rain falls more frequently in the summers than in winter here. The driest month of the year is January and the rain falls the hardest and most frequently in July. April is the hottest month of the year, while August is the coldest. The city sees hail falling sometimes during the rainy season. Because of the very cool weather in the city, Jos is a major destination for vacations for tourists.
When it is cold in Jos, it is very cold most times, sending the whole city into shivers. Travellers visiting during these periods should NEVER make the mistake of forgetting all their thick wears at home including boots and head warmers. Anything that warms you is welcome, even a boiling ring.
Annual Events and Festivals In Jos
Nzem Berom Festival
The Nzem Berom Festival is a unifying cultural festival that holds in March or April every year. The people of Berom are one of the largest ethnic groups in all of Plateau state. the festival is one of many Berom festivals used to celebrate the harvest seasons, hunting expeditions, and to usher in the new rainy season. The Nzem Berom festival sees a lot of different cultural displays in the areas of music, dance, arts, and culture.
Jos Festival of Theatre
The annual Jos Festival of Theatre is organized by the Jos Repertory Theatre to develop budding playwrights and directors. The festival also serves to create an insight into the Nigerian theatre repertory by featuring plays from international repertories. The Jos Festival of Theatre is the only private independent theatre festival in Nigeria.
HackJos
HackJos is an annual software competition that holds every year in Jos. It is part of the effort of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Plateau State Government to promote innovation in the country. The event is supported by tech hubs including Hotels.ng. it is the ideal event for young people with software and entrepreneurship skills.
Getting Around Jos
Taxis
There are a lot of taxi cabs around the Jos metropolis but they may have to be shared with other people across certain routes. The fares do not have to be negotiated as they are fixed for each bus-stop. There is a taxi park in the city from where the taxis can be boarded.
Mini Buses
Known as ?Korope? in western Nigeria, mini buses are available over defined routes and are also shared with other passengers.
Achaba
Achaba is the local name for tricycles but they tend to be more dangerous because the roads are ridden with potholes. It is also more expensive than the buses and taxis but has more flexibility in the routes they travel. Achabas can also be chartered for private rides around the city.
Yakubu Gowon Airport
Yakubu Gowon Airport is also known as Jos Airport. It is a public airport serving Jos and was named after a Nigerian head of state, General Yakubu Gowon. The airport is owned and operated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). The airport is referred to by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) using the airport code JOS. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) uses DNJO when referring to Yakubu Gowon Airport. Ari Air operates daily flights to the airport from Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos.
Moving From Yakubu Gowon Airport to Jos
The airport is about 30 kilometres from the town. Arrivals at the Jos Airport will find taxis outside the airport. The taxi fares are typically fixed for some locations inside the city but can be negotiated nevertheless. The taxis do not use metres to calculate costs so it would be best to hold at least 2,500 naira.
Staying In Jos
There are a number of affordable accommodation options in Jos city, mostly 2-star budget hotels.
La Monde Hotel
La Monde Hotel is a 2 star hotel located in the serene environments of 16 Apollo Crescent, GRA, Jos, Plateau. Prices of rooms range between 12,075 Naira and 18,860 Naira.
Silk Suites
Silk Suites is a 3-Star hotel located in Zaramaganda Rd, Ray field, Jos, Plateau state. This hotel is neighbour to a couple of city attractions including the Rayfield Golf Club and Plateau State Government House. It is also only 45 minutes from the Yakubu Gowon Airport. Prices of rooms range from 12, 000 naira to15,000 naira depending on the category of room.
Plateau Hotel
Plateau hotel is a budget hotel located in the central area of Rest House Road G.R.A, Jos, Plateau state. Rooms at the hotel go for as low as 2,875 naira and as high as just 10, 465 naira.
How To Budget A Trip To Jos
Jos is an exciting place to visit for tourists and expatriates. There are varieties of festivals taking place in the city, tourist attraction centres including the Jos Wildlife Park, Waterfalls in the city outskirts, National Museum etc. It is therefore important for travellers to make adequate preparations for funds to be spent on these activities. These expenses also include the cost of necessaries, restaurants, accommodation, and other miscellaneous expenses.
Cost Of Common Items In Jos
| Restaurants |
Average Price (Naira) |
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant |
700.00-1,500.00 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course |
7,500.00-15,000.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) |
300.00-500.00 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) |
1,100.00-1,500.00 |
| Cappuccino (regular) |
800.00-1,200.00 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) |
100.00-250.00 |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) |
50.00-200.00 |
| Market Items |
|
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) |
200.00-850.00 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) |
300.00-500.00 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) |
400.00-600.00 |
| Eggs (12) |
300.00-900.00 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) |
2,000.00-2,000.00 |
| Chicken Breasts (Boneless, Skinless), (1kg) |
1,500.00-1,500.00 |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) |
1,200.00-1,500.00 |
| Apples (1kg) |
1,200.00-1,200.00 |
| Banana (1kg) |
450.00-600.00 |
| Oranges (1kg) |
600.00-600.00 |
| Tomato (1kg) |
600.00-600.00 |
| Potato (1kg) |
400.00-400.00 |
| Onion (1kg) |
400.00-400.00 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) |
150.00-150.00 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) |
2,000.00-2,000.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) |
120.00-120.00 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) |
400.00-400.00 |
| Pack of Cigarettes (Marlboro) |
400.00-400.00 |
| Transportation |
|
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) |
400.00-400.00 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) |
200.00-300.00 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) |
500.00-2,000.00 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) |
145.00-145.00 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat |
1,500.00-2,000.00 |
| Clothing And Shoes |
|
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) |
15,000.00-15,000.00 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) |
5,000.00-20,000.00 |
| 1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) |
5,000.00-14,000.00 |
| 1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes |
3,000.00-4,500.00 |
Restaurants In Jos
For as low as 1,500 naira, travellers can eat out nice restaurants like Bevelyns Restaurant, Mr. Biggs, All Spice Restaurant, Southern Fried Chicken, Garden Chinese and Continental Restaurants, Feydups Restaurant and co. There are also roadside restaurants around places in Jos from where traditional meals can be eaten for as low as 200 naira.
Flights From Jos To Other Cities In Nigeria
There are scheduled daily flights between Jos (Yakubu Gowon Airport) and Lagos (Murtala Muhammed International Airport). The domestic flights between these routes is solely operated by Arik Air, a major domestic airline in Nigeria.
International Flights To Jos
There are no direct international flights to Jos and international travellers looking to visit the city may have to take connecting flights by making stops at major international airports in the country like Murtala Muhammed Innternational Airport in Lagos. Domestic flights can then be booked from Lagos to Yakubu Gowon Airport.
Airport Tips At Yakubu Gowon Airport
As a result of the occasional religious riots, it would be ideal to organize airport pick-up before the travellers arrive at the airport. And when they can?t, shared rides are not really advisable, so, arrivals should carry enough cash, at least 3,000 naira as transport fares from the airport to their final destination in the city.
People Who Like Jos Also Like?
Kano
Kano city is known for its tourism appeal, having a whole lot of historical landmarks and tourist attractions including Dala Hills, Kofi Mata dye pits, the great Kurmi Market, and Gidan Makama Museum. The city is also considered the commercial hub of Northern Nigeria and Sub Saharan Africa with focus on agriculture, tourism, and transportation. The annual Durban Festival is a major event in Kano that attracts a lot of people from within and outside the country. The city is also served by an international airport, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport. All in all, tourists will find their stay in the ancient city of Kano very memorable.
Warri
This is one of the most popular cities in the Southern region of Nigeria. Popularly known as ?Waffi City? by its people, and for their peculiar Pidgin English. Warri is a major oil hub in Nigeria and is as a result a popular destination for expatriates and business investors in the oil sector. Tourist attractions here include the Abraka Golf Course, Nana Living History Museum, and the Warri Township Stadium.
Lagos
Visitors would enjoy travelling to Lagos for its entertainment factor; the city is always awash with activities almost every hour of the day. From beaches to art galleries, intercontinental restaurants, museums, theatres, and parks and musical concerts, visitors can never be bored on their trip to the city. Lagos is as well the commercial centre of not just Nigeria but for all of Africa. It is therefore a most ideal location for people looking for business opportunities. Flights within Nigeria begin at 40,000 naira or more depending on the location.
