Northern Route to Nigeria
 

So I'm wondering which would be the best route to take from Bamako to Abuja. (going through Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo etc.) Don't want to put up with the hassles through the south of Nigeria basically, as the northerners are way easier to get along with. Has anyone done this and have map points. Thanks.

Bamako-Abuja
 

I would say, its actually easier going from Bamako-Ougadougou-Niamey-Maradi-Kano then Abuja.

That route sounds like it might avoid some of the problems of banditry, but because we ride a maxi-scooter that does not do well in sand--is it a hard-surface route or paved--dirt, --???