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Is it safe to travel to Nigeria right now?

Nigeria travel advisory today: official US, UK and Canada levels

It depends on where you go. The US State Department rates Nigeria Level 3 of 4, "Reconsider travel". Canada says "Avoid non-essential travel", with regional advisories. The UK FCDO advises against all travel to some areas of Nigeria and all but essential travel to others.

Checked · US issued Jun 12, 2026 · UK updated Oct 16, 2026 · Canada updated Oct 15, 2026

Government advisories for Nigeria

US State Department

US L3 · Reconsider travel

Reconsider Travel

Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping , and i nconsistent availability of health care services . Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Crime and Kidnapping Violent crime is common throughout Nigeria. This includes armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping…

Official notice Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs (travel.state.gov) · updated Jun 12, 2026

Read the official advisory

UK Foreign Office (FCDO)

UK · regional

Advises against all travel to some areas and all but essential travel to others

Latest change: FCDO now advises against all travel to Sokoto State. FCDO continues to advise against all travel and all but essential travel to other parts of Nigeria (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

Official notice Source: gov.uk · updated Oct 16, 2026

Read the official advice · Entry requirements

Local scams and street crime

  • Terrorist kidnap: Terrorist groups are highly likely to carry out kidnaps in Nigeria. Kidnappings are widespread and could occur anywhere. Foreign nationals and humanitarian workers have been kidnapped in the North, including in the states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Katsina, Kano and Kebbi. There may be an increased risk of terrorist…
  • Street and vehicle crime: Throughout Nigeria there are high levels of violent street crime including muggings and armed robbery. There are frequent reports of carjackings, some involving armed gunmen, on Nigeria’s urban roads with rural road networks especially dangerous. Criminals have targeted visiting British nationals due to perceived…
  • Financial scams: British nationals are increasingly targeted by scammers operating in West Africa. Scams come in many forms including romance and friendship, business ventures and work or employment opportunities. Scams can put victims at great financial risk. Be cautious about requests for funds, job offers, business ventures and…

Official notice Source: UK FCDO travel advice (Open Government Licence v3.0) · updated Oct 16, 2026

LGBT+ and women travellers: what the UK FCDO says

  • LGBT+ travellers: Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Nigeria with penalties of up to 14 years in prison. Some northern states observe Sharia Law which can prescribe the death penalty for same-sex sexual activity. The ‘Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act’ provides for lengthy prison sentences for anyone involved in same-sex marriages, including those who help arrange, carry out or even attend events perceived to be same-sex weddings.

Read the full FCDO section

Official notice Source: UK FCDO travel advice (Open Government Licence v3.0) · updated Oct 16, 2026

Women, children and family: what governments say

  • Women's safety (Government of Canada): Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment or verbal abuse.
  • Surrogacy and fertility treatment (UK FCDO): If you’re considering fertility treatment or surrogacy options in Nigeria, exercise caution. There have been reports of staged fake births, commonly referred to as ‘miracle babies’, where visitors are falsely led to believe that a birth has taken place. Regulation of fertility treatment and surrogacy services in Nigeria is weak, and legal protections for intended parents and surrogates may be limited.
  • Overseas Adoption (UK FCDO): The UK has restricted overseas adoption of children from Nigeria. If you bring a child who is not biologically related to you into the UK without following the legal procedures, you could face prosecution and the child may not be eligible for British citizenship.

Canada: full advisory · UK: entry requirements · UK: safety and security

Official notice Source: Government of Canada and UK FCDO travel advice (Open Government Licences)

Pregnancy and children: CDC health notes for Nigeria

  • Zika: the CDC lists Zika as a risk in Nigeria. An infected pregnant woman can spread it to her unborn baby. CDC on Zika
  • Malaria: CDC recommends that travelers going to Nigeria take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take. Ask a travel-health provider which medicine suits pregnancy or young children before you go.
  • Cholera (children): Vaccination may be considered for children and adults who are traveling to areas of active cholera transmission.
  • Hepatitis A (children): Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A.
  • Measles (children): All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

CDC health page for Nigeria · CDC: pregnant travelers · CDC: traveling with children

Official notice Source: CDC Travelers' Health (US government, public domain). General information, not medical advice: see a doctor or travel clinic before you go.

Government of Canada

CA 3 · Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid non-essential travel (some regions differ)

Latest change: Natural disasters and climate section – added information on El Niño

Official notice Source: travel.gc.ca · updated Oct 15, 2026

Read the official advisory

US State Department: advisories for specific areas

  • Do Not Travel to: Borno, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe, northern Adamawa states due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping.

Read the official advisory for the exact areas

Official notice Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs (travel.state.gov) · updated Jun 12, 2026

Government of Canada: regional advisories

Regional risk level - Avoid all travel
Avoid all travel to the following regions due to the risk of terrorism, armed attacks, kidnapping, inter-communal and sectarian violence:

  • the northwestern states of Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara
  • the northcentral states of Plateau, Niger, Kwara and Kogi
  • the northeastern states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Taraba and Yobe
  • the Niger Delta states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo and Rivers (excluding Port Harcourt, in Rivers State, where you should avoid...
  • 10 km of the border areas with Cameroon, Niger, and northern Benin (between Benin and Kebbi state).

Read the full Canadian advisory

Official notice Source: travel.gc.ca (Government of Canada, Open Government Licence - Canada) · updated Oct 15, 2026

German Foreign Office

DE · partial travel warning

Partial travel warning

Official notice Source: Auswärtiges Amt · updated Oct 13, 2026

Read the official travel and safety advice

Dutch Foreign Ministry

NL · orange

Orange: travel only if necessary (regions differ, up to red)

De kleurcode van het reisadvies is rood voor grote delen van het noorden en het zuidoosten van Nigeria. Wat uw situatie ook is: reis niet hierheen. Het is er te gevaarlijk. Lees meer onder Regionale risico’s. Voor de rest van Nigeria geldt kleurcode oranje. Reis alleen hierheen als het noodzakelijk is. Het is niet veil

Official notice Source: Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, Nederland Wereldwijd (open data, CC0) · updated Oct 13, 2026

Read the advice (Dutch) · Translate to English

New Zealand SafeTravel

NZ · level 3

Avoid non-essential travel

Official notice Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, SafeTravel (CC BY 4.0) · updated 24 July 2025

Read the official advice

Japan Foreign Ministry

JP L4 · Evacuate and leave

Highest level: Evacuate and leave

Level 4 in 1 area, level 3 in 1 area, level 2 in 1 area. Areas can differ; the highest level applies only where the ministry says so.

ナイジェリアの危険情報【一部地域のレベル引き上げ】

Official notice Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Overseas Safety Homepage · updated Dec 18, 2025

Original (Japanese) · Translate to English

Each government uses its own scale. Read the full advisory before you book or travel; regional differences inside a country can matter more than the headline level.

Where in Nigeria the UK advises against travel

North East Nigeria

FCDO advises against all travel to:

  • Borno State
  • Yobe State
  • Adamawa State
  • Gombe State

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

  • Bauchi State

North West Nigeria

FCDO advises against all travel to:

  • Katsina State
  • Zamfara State
  • Sokoto State

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

  • Kaduna State
  • Kano State
  • Kebbi State
  • Jigawa State

North Central Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, including Abuja

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

  • Niger State
  • Kogi State
  • Plateau State
  • Taraba State
  • Kwara State
  • Benue State

South East and South South Nigeria

FCDO advises against all travel to the riverine areas (the river and swamp locations accessible by boat, but not by road) of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

  • Abia State
  • non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers States
  • Anambra State
  • Imo State

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel .

Official notice Source: UK FCDO travel advice, areas where it advises against travel (Open Government Licence v3.0) · updated Oct 16, 2026

Entry requirements for Nigeria

🇬🇧 British passport holders

  • Visa: You must have a visa to enter Nigeria as a visitor. Get your visa before travelling.
  • Passport: To enter Nigeria, your passport must have an expiry date at least 6 months after the date you arrive.
Read the full UK entry requirements

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Nigeria’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Nigeria set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Nigeria High Commission in the UK.

Passport validity requirements

To enter Nigeria, your passport must have an expiry date at least 6 months after the date you arrive.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You must have a visa to enter Nigeria as a visitor. Get your visa before travelling.

If you have a valid Nigerian residence permit (CERPAC or Green Card), you do not need a visa to enter Nigeria.

For further information contact the Nigeria High Commission in the UK.

Applying for a visa

Visa on arrival is no longer available. All visa applications must be submitted through the online portal prior to travel.

You can apply for a visa from Nigerian Immigration Services.

Landing and departure cards

The Nigerian authorities have introduced a system for foreigners to complete landing and departure cards before entry/exit and you may be asked for these at the airport or other border points.

The forms can be completed through the online portal.

Vaccine requirements

To enter Nigeria, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination.

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Nigeria guide.

Infants aged 8 months or younger and adults aged 61 or older are exempt from this requirement.

Ebola screening

Travellers entering Nigeria from countries with Ebola virus disease transmission must complete an online Nigeria Health Declaration Form before travel. You may also be required to undergo thermal screening and a travel history check on arrival.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared this a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Nigeria. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

It is illegal to import beer, mineral water, soft drinks, sparkling wine, fruits, vegetables, cereals, eggs, textile fabrics, jewellery or precious metals.

It is illegal to export African art, particularly antiques, without written authorisation from the Department of Antiquities.

Official notice Source: UK Foreign Office · updated Oct 16, 2026

🇨🇦 Canadian passport holders

  • Tourist visa: required
Read the full Canadian entry requirements

Some countries have imposed measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak. These can include restrictions on entry and health screening measures for travellers having recently visited an affected country. If you are suspected of having symptoms, you may be subject to isolation, quarantine and/or travel restrictions. Contact the authorities of the country you are travelling to for more details.

The authorities of a country or territory decide who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from local authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you're travelling with.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date you expect to leave Nigeria.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

You should also be aware that current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the “X” gender identifier. You may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

Visas

Tourist visa: required
Business visa: required
Employment visa: required
Temporary work permit: required
Student visa: required

Verify that the length of stay indicated on your entry stamp and on your visa match. If the handwritten dates are hard to read, seek clarification from the immigration officer at the port of entry or a Nigeria Immigration Service office.

Nigeria Immigration Service

Landing and exit cards

You are required to complete an online form before entering or exiting Nigeria.

Obtain landing or exit cards – Nigeria Immigration Service

Health declaration form

You must complete an online health declaration form before travelling to Nigeria. You will then receive a PDF and QR code by email, which you must present to a Port Health Officer upon arrival.

Nigeria Health Declaration Portal – Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention

Passport requirements for dual citizens

If you have dual citizenship, you must enter and leave Nigeria on your Nigerian passport.

If your Nigerian passport expires during your stay in Nigeria, you must obtain a new one before leaving. Renewing a Nigerian passport could cause considerable delays to your travel plans.

To avoid delays, dual citizens should ensure that their Nigerian passport is valid upon entry and for the duration of their stay in Nigeria.

Border crossings

Land border crossings with Benin, Niger, Chad and Cameroon may close on short notice.

Children and travel

Learn about travelling with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Official notice Source: Government of Canada · updated Oct 15, 2026

Other passports

Rules depend on your nationality, so we do not guess. Before you book:

  • Read your own government's travel advice first (US travellers: State Department page for Nigeria).
  • Not sure what your passport needs? Check the visa rules for your nationality (eVisas visa checker) or compare with VisaHQ. These are affiliate links: if you use their application service we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Official government sites are usually cheaper and are linked above where we have them.
  • Check your passport: many countries want it valid for 6 months after arrival and with blank pages.
  • Check for an e-visa, travel authorisation or digital arrival card, and any vaccine rules (yellow fever is the common one).
  • Ask your airline: they can refuse boarding if your documents do not match the rules.

Entry rules are set by each government and change without notice. This summary is for planning only and is not legal or immigration advice. Confirm on the official government website and with your airline before you book or travel. Voyaggora is not a government agency and does not process visas.

Essentials for travelers

Emergency 112

  • Plugs: type D, G
  • Power: 230 V, 50 Hz
  • Traffic drives on the right
  • Tap water: not recommended
  • Calling code: +234

Compiled by Voyaggora from IEC World Plugs, government and consular sources. Confidence: high. Check with your embassy or hotel before you rely on it in an emergency.

Local language

Nàìjíríà Yoruba

Country names come from the Unicode CLDR. Phrases are short standard translations; show them on your phone to ask for help.

More live hazards and notices

Live feed Sources: NOAA / NWS (ash advisories from the ICAO Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres, aurora from the Space Weather Prediction Center), USGS, GeoNet New Zealand (CC BY 3.0 NZ) · checked

Health and vaccines

Vaccines, malaria and yellow-fever certificate rules: TravelHealthPro country pages (UK Health Security Agency), CDC destination pages, UK Foreign Office health advice. Ask a travel clinic 6 to 8 weeks before you go.

Airport weather right now

AirportTemperatureWindVisibilityConditionsReported
Lagos DNMM28°C / 82°F5 kt from 200°6+ miClear flying weather

Live feed Source: NOAA Aviation Weather Center · checked

Money

1 US dollar ≈ 1331 NGN · 1 euro ≈ 1494 NGN

Central-bank reference rate for Oct 18, 2026. Your card or exchange desk will differ.

Live feed Source: Frankfurter · checked

Voyaggora destination guides

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Quick answers: is it safe to travel to Nigeria?

Is it safe to travel to Nigeria right now?
It depends on where you go. As of Oct 18, 08:26 UTC. The US State Department rates Nigeria Level 3 of 4, "Reconsider travel". Canada says "Avoid non-essential travel", with regional advisories. The UK FCDO advises against all travel to some areas of Nigeria and all but essential travel to others. Advisory levels change and can vary by region within a country: check the official page before you travel. Sources: US State Department Canada UK FCDO.
Which parts of Nigeria do governments warn about?
Governments warn about parts of Nigeria rather than the whole country. The UK FCDO advises against all travel to some areas of Nigeria and all but essential travel to others. Canada lists regional advisories. The US State Department page lists area-specific levels. Open each official page for the exact areas and routes.
Are there any active weather or hazard alerts in Nigeria right now?
As of Oct 18, 08:26 UTC, Travel Live shows these live hazard and alert sections for Nigeria: more live hazards and notices. Each one on this page names its official source and the time it was checked. Worldwide storms, earthquakes and disasters are on the Travel Live hub.
What do the advisory levels mean?
US State Department: Level 1 exercise normal precautions, Level 2 exercise increased caution, Level 3 reconsider travel, Level 4 do not travel. Canada: take normal security precautions, exercise a high degree of caution, avoid non-essential travel, avoid all travel. UK FCDO: it advises against all travel, or all but essential travel, to the whole country or to parts of it, or has no warnings. Each government uses its own scale, so the levels are not directly comparable.

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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Voyaggora summarises official sources and is not a government service; always confirm with the official advisory before you travel.