travel information nigeria

Update April 12, 2024

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Nigeria Travel Advisory

Travel advisory september 20, 2023, nigeria - level 3: reconsider travel.

Updated with return to full operational status, removal of obsolete COVID-19 page links, and updates to Do Not Travel Areas.

Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to  crime ,  terrorism ,  civil unrest ,  kidnapping , and  armed gangs .   Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do Not Travel to :

• Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and northern Adamawa states due to  terrorism  and  kidnapping
• Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states due to  kidnapping
• Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states (with the exception of Port Harcourt) due to  crime ,  kidnapping , and  armed gangs.

Country Summary :  Violent crime – such as armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping, hostage taking, roadside banditry, and rape – is common throughout the country. Kidnappings for ransom occur frequently, often targeting dual national citizens who have returned to Nigeria for a visit, as well as U.S. citizens with perceived wealth. Kidnapping gangs have also stopped victims on interstate roads.

Terrorists continue plotting and carrying out attacks in Nigeria. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting shopping centers, malls, markets, hotels, places of worship, restaurants, bars, schools, government installations, transportation hubs, and other places where crowds gather. Terrorists are known to work with local gangs to expand their reach.

There is civil unrest and armed gangs in parts of Southern Nigeria, especially in the Niger Delta and Southeast regions. Armed criminality and gangs, including kidnapping and assaults on Nigerian security services is also pervasive in this region.

Violence can flare up between communities of farmers and herders in rural areas.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Nigeria due to security conditions.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Nigeria.

  If you decide to travel to Nigeria:

• Carry proper identification, including a U.S. passport with a current Nigerian visa, if needed.
• Use caution when walking or driving at night.
• Keep a low profile.
• Review travel routes and times to vary your predictability.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Stay alert in locations frequented by Westerners.
• Avoid demonstrations and large political gatherings.
• Review your personal security plans.
• Have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance.
• Establish a “proof of life” protocol with your loved ones, so that if you are taken hostage, your loved ones know specific questions (and answers) to ask the hostage-takers to be sure that you are alive (and to rule out a hoax).
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Obtain comprehensive medical insurance that includes medical evacuation.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Nigeria.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations.  Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.

Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and Northern Adamawa states – Level 4: Do Not Travel

The security situation in these states is fluid and unpredictable due to widespread terrorist activity, inter-communal violence, and kidnapping. Security operations to counter these threats may occur without warning.

Terrorist groups based in the Northeast routinely target humanitarian camps, security forces, churches, schools, mosques, government installations, educational institutions, entertainment venues, and road travelers.

Approximately two million Nigerians have been displaced as a result of the violence in Northeast Nigeria.

Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .

Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states – Level 4: Do Not Travel

The security situation in these states is fluid and unpredictable due to widespread inter-communal violence and armed criminality, especially kidnapping and roadside banditry. Security operations to counter these threats may occur without warning.

Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states (with the exception of Port Harcourt) – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Crime is rampant throughout Southern Nigeria, and there is a heightened risk of kidnapping , violent civil unrest , and armed gangs .

Travel Advisory Levels

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Introducing the Nigeria International Travel Portal (NITP), for Intending Travellers to Nigeria

Are you intending to travel to Nigeria?

If yes, before your trip, visit https://nitp.ncdc.gov.ng to carry out the following:

– Fill out the Pre-boarding Health Declaration and Screening form.

– Upload on the portal, COVID-19 Negative PCR test result of a test taken not more than 96 hours before the date of travel

– Select an appointment date and laboratory for a repeat COVID-19 test to be done 7 days after arrival in Nigeria. (Online payment will be required, on the site).

– Receive a payment confirmation and a bar-coded print out which you will present at airport check-in in your country of departure and to the Health officials at your port of entry in Nigeria.

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Nigeria COVID-19 Travellers Guide

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As of January 2023, the following health measures appear to have been suspended.

Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic health requirements and procedures for travellers into Nigeria. The guidelines are derived from a collaboration between The Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) TaskForce on Covid-19, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), in accordance with recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO).

If you are already familiar with the standard protocol, you can jump to updates to ensure that you have the latest information before your travel to Nigeria. These measures also apply to returning Nigerians

Covid-19 Travel Procedure

Pre-departure.

Before leaving your country of domicile, ensure the following:

• If not fully vaccinated, have a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test done at an accredited (certified) laboratory in country of departure no more than 2 days (48 hours) before boarding. Only negative PCR test results will be accepted.
• Register on the Nigeria International Travel Portal (NITP) . Complete and submit the online Health Declaration/Self-Reporting Form and ensure the phone number and address provided are correct. Information on Diplomats and children 10 years and below must be updated in the relevant section on the portal.
• If not fully vaccinated, upload the negative PCR test results on the NITP platform, then choose a Sample Collection Centre with an appointment date.
• Make Online Payment for the repeat COVID-19 PCR test to be done 2 days and 7 days after arrival in Nigeria. Follow the online instruction to generate a QR Code Access Report. It is strongly recommended that payment be made online before boarding as payment on arrival can lead to long delays before exiting the airport.

On arrival in Nigeria, observe the protocol below:

• Undergo Port Health screening and present electronic or print-out evidence of QR Code. Passengers facing difficulties with payment on the NITP portal should present a hard copy of the negative PCR test or evidence of full vaccination, completed Health Screening Form, evidence of appointment and payment for a repeat PCR test in Nigeria.
• Unvaccinated or Partially Vaccinated Travellers Proceed to undergo a 7-day mandatory self-isolation. During isolation, avoid all physical interaction with other people (family, friends, co-workers etc).
• During self-isolation, travellers will be monitored by Public Health Officers via telephone. Persons undergoing self-isolation and awaiting repeat COVID-19 tests are required to check their emails for updates on repeat PCR test from chosen laboratory.
• For unvccinated or partially vaccinated travellers - On the 2nd and 7th day after arrival, go to the selected sample collection centre and have samples taken for the repeat PCR test. You will be required to provide a valid means of identification.

Important Alerts

Travellers developing Covid-19 symptoms on arrival or during screening will be placed in institutional quarantine for care.

Travellers who test positive for COVID-19 will be managed based on national guidelines for treatment. Those who test negative after 7 days will end self-isolation.

Business travellers and/or travellers on official duties intending to stay in Nigeria for 7 days or less must be fully vaccinated.

Fully vaccinated travellers do not need to observe the strict mandatory 7-day quarantine but are expected to adhere to general covid-19 guidelines - wear a face mask and maintain social distancing.

Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers with a PCR test result older than 48 hours, or with COVID-19 symptoms, will not be allowed to board.

There is a mandatory 7-day self-isolation period for unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travellers. Those who fail to repeat the PCR test by Days 2 and 7 of arrival may face suspension of their passports, inclusion on a travel watch list (no-fly list) or 6 months denial of international travel.

All PCR test payments go to private laboratories directly, via the payment method selected. No money is paid to the NCDC, Port Health Services or the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

Travellers departing Nigeria should follow their airline and destination country guidelines and requirements for COVID-19 control/prevention.

Implementation of COVID-19 prevention and control measures may cause some delay in the facilitation process. Due to anticipated delays, travellers are to arrive at the airport early; at least 1hr 30mins for domestic and 3h for international flights.

Covid-19 Protocol Updates

02 apr 2022, updated international travel protocol.

With effect from 4th April 2022 , fully vaccinated travelers are not required to undergo the 48 hour prior PCR Test. FULLY VACCINATED refers to a person who received 2 doses any of the following COVID-19 vaccines at least 2 weeks before date of Travel: Pfizer/Bio-Ntech, Moderna, Astra-Zeneca, Sputnik, Sinopharm, Sinovac, COVAXIN, COVOVAX, Nuvaxovid or a single dose Johnson and Johnson or Sputnik Light.

02 Dec 2021

With effect from 5th December 2021 , PCR test before departure is required to be done within 48 hours. FULLY VACCINATED means at least Two weeks following 2 completed doses of either AstraZeneca, Pfizer or Moderna vaccines OR a single dose of J and J vaccine. PARTIALLY VACCINATED means 1 completed dose of the aforementioned vaccines. Guidelines for inbound passengers updated and Guidelines for outbound passengers provided.

02 Nov 2021

Upgrade alert on the nitp system.

Between 2nd and 4th November 2021 , The Nigeria International Travel Portal NITP will undergo a system upgrade for better performance and experience. Services may be down during the period.

22 Oct 2021

Effective from 25th October 2021 , Turkey, Brazil and South Africa have been removed from the list of restricted countries. No longer limited to only Business and Official Duty Travellers, all other arrivals fully vaccinated with 2 completed or mixed doses of either AstraZeneca, Pfizer or Moderna vaccines OR a single dose of Johnson and Johnson vaccine, will not be required to observe the mandatory 7-days self-isolation but will be required to do a COVID-19 PCR test on Day 2 of arrival in Nigeria.

15 Oct 2021

Revised international travel protocol.

Effective from 25th October 2021 , Business Travellers and visitors on official duties intending to stay in Nigeria for 7 days or less are required to be fully vaccinated in addition to negative PCR test result done within 72 hours of boarding the flight to Nigeria.

13 Sep 2021

Provisional quarantine protocol.

Effective from 20th September 2021 , mandatory quarantine time is reduced from 14 to 7 days. Another PCR test is required for all arrivals on day 2 of the mandatory 7-day quarantine.

10 May 2021

Covid-19 implementation guidelines.

Effective from 11th May 2021 , India is removed from the revised verson of the covid-19 implementation guidelines for phased restrictions, due to high vax rates in the country.

27 Apr 2021

Travel protocol for diplomats.

All requests for entry of diplomats should be made to the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 (PSC) through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. An additional request to waive the mandatory 7-day self-isolation can be made to, reviewed by, or/and granted by the PSC

The information above is based upon travel protocols and covid-19 procedures applicable travellers into Nigeria. For all covid-19 related announcements from all Nigerian Missions around the world, please click here . For all covid-19 guideline releases from NCDC, please click here . If you already understand the travel protocol and ready for your travel arrangements to Nigeria, please click here

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Port Health Services Ministry of Health

Health declaration form.

The Nigeria Health Declaration Form must be filled out by all incoming passengers to Nigeria. Paper-based versions will be provided on arrival in Nigeria for passengers unable to fill the form.

Health Declaration Form

This form is an instituted measure to prevent the spread, monitor the possible importation of infectious diseases and aid the control of disease outbreaks thereby protecting the health of all Nigerians

Kindly go through the form and fill the required fields.

Verify Information

Carefully verify that all details are correct and proceed to submit.

Submit Form

Submit form and download a copy either from here or your email.

Phone: 6232 Whatsapp No.: +234 70 8711 0839 SMS Number.: +234 80 9955 5577 Email: [email protected]

Search Smartraveller

Latest update

Reconsider your need to travel to Nigeria overall due to the volatile security situation and threat of terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime and the risk of civil unrest.

Higher levels apply.

Africa (PDF 1.68 MB)

Local emergency contacts

Fire and rescue services.

Call 119 or 112.

Medical emergencies

Call 119, 112 or go to the nearest hospital.

Call 119, 112 or go to the nearest police station.

Advice levels

Reconsider your need to travel to Nigeria overall, including the capital Abuja.

Reconsider your need to travel to Nigeria overall, including the capital Abuja, due to the volatile security situation and threat of terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime and the risk of civil unrest.

Do not travel to Adamawa, Anambra, Akawa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Borno, Cross Rivers, Delta, Federal Capital Territory (excluding Abuja), Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Niger, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara states.

Do not travel to:

• Akawa Ibom,
• Cross Rivers, 
• Federal Capital Territory (excluding Abuja),
• Zamfara states

due to the volatile security situation and threat of terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime and the risk of civil unrest. 

• There's a high risk of terrorist attacks across Nigeria, including in the capital city Abuja, by various militant groups. Attacks are likely. Potential targets include a wide range of locations. Attacks could be indiscriminate and could affect foreign interests, including places visited by tourists. You should avoid places where crowds gather, including political meetings, government buildings, places of worship, schools, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, sporting events, transport hubs and networks, law enforcement facilities, international organisations and camps for displaced people.
• The kidnapping threat is high throughout Nigeria. There is a high incidence of crime in Nigeria, including armed robbery, assault and maritime crime. The homicide rate is very high in many parts of the country.  Politically motivated murders and kidnappings have occurred. Follow the instructions of local authorities.
• There's ongoing civil unrest in Nigeria. Avoid public demonstrations, rallies, gatherings and protest activity. These can turn violent and have sometimes, been subject to forceful suppression by security forces, including the use of live fire. There have been reports of strikes and protests in parts of Nigeria as a result of the cost-of-living crisis. Trading and business disruptions have occurred. Maintain stocks of essential supplies.
• Avoid intercity transport by road and rail due to the high incidence of attacks by criminal gangs, bandits and terrorists. If you undertake travel within Nigeria, research routes and get professional security advice and support before departing. Australian officials always use enhanced security measures if they do travel. Keep your car doors locked, windows up and valuables out of sight. Arrange pick-ups and airport transfers with someone you know or by arranging a hotel car. Do not use ridesharing services, taxis, or public transport. Don't travel after dark.
• Internet romance, friendship and employment scams originate from Nigeria. If you travel to Nigeria as a scam victim, you may expose yourself to the threat of physical harm or theft. Be wary of online contact from people you don't know. Don't send money until you've checked who you're sending it to.

Full travel advice: Safety

• Yellow fever present. Other common insect-borne diseases include malaria and dengue. Ensure your accommodation is insect-proof. Use insect repellent. Consider taking anti-malarial medication. Check your vaccinations are up to date before you travel.
• Foodborne, waterborne and infectious diseases found in Nigeria include cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, Lassa fever and monkeypox. Make sure food and drink utensils and containers are clean before use. Drink only bottled water and avoid raw or undercooked food. Don't swim in fresh water due to the risk of bilharzia in some locations.
• Medical facilities throughout Nigeria are often basic. You may need to pay up-front. If you're seriously ill or injured, you'll need medical evacuation. Ensure your travel insurance covers this.

Full travel advice:  Health

• Don't use or carry illegal drugs. Penalties for drug offences are severe. They include long prison sentences and large fines. Serious crimes, such as murder and armed robbery, can attract the death penalty,  especially in Nigeria’s northern Sharia law states.
• Nigeria has strict laws against same-sex relationships. Avoid public displays of affection and cross-dressing. In Sharia law states, there are harsh punishments for same-sex relationships, adultery and stealing, as well as for speech or public expression deemed blasphemous or religiously disrespectful.
• Avoid  taking photographs near military or police locations, or in airports. Smoking in public places is prohibited according to law.
• Get written permission from relevant Nigerian authorities if you want to export African art or antiques. Make yourself aware of Nigerian restrictions on the import or export of foreign currencies, precious metals, and other items. Further information is available from the Nigerian Customs service .

Full travel advice:  Local laws

• You'll need a visa to travel to Nigeria. You can apply and pay for a visa online on the Nigeria Immigration Service  website. Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the  nearest embassy or consulate  of Nigeria for details about visas, customs and quarantine rules.
• You no longer need to produce a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or a negative PCR test prior to or on your arrival to Nigeria. You'll need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate (yellow book) to enter.  Check the  Nigerian International Travel Portal  for the most up to date entry requirements.
• Avoid intercity transport by road and rail due to the high incidence of attacks by criminal gangs, bandits and terrorists. If undertaken, travel should involve professional security planning and support services.  Don't use ridesharing services, taxis, or public transport due to safety issues and the risk of crime.
• Hijacking, kidnapping and armed robbery at sea occurs in Nigerian waters, especially in the Niger Delta region. Piracy is a threat in the Gulf of Guinea. Check the International Maritime Bureau's piracy reports.

Full travel advice:  Travel

Local contacts

• The  Consular Services Charter  details what we can and can't do to help you overseas.
• To stay up to date with local information, follow the High Commission’s social media accounts.
• The  Australian High Commission in Abuja  and Australia’s Honorary Consulate in Lagos provide limited consular and passport services.
• If you travel to do not travel areas despite our advice, we may not be able to provide consular services.

Full travel advice:  Local contacts

Full advice

Security situation.

If you travel to Nigeria, you're at risk of:

• terrorist attack
• violent civil unrest

The security situation could change suddenly. You could get caught up in violence directed at others. If you travel to high-risk areas despite our advice, it is unlikely we will be able to provide consular services. Seek professional security advice and arrange personal security measures.

Violent crime is common in Nigeria, including in parts of Lagos and Abuja. Politically-motivated violence, including terrorist bombings and armed attacks.

Police maintain patrols and checkpoints in many locations in Nigeria, including at entry points into, and key junctions within cities. Police officers or people posing as police officers may ask for bribes. Intimidation may be used, including a display of weapons. We strongly recommend you don’t drive at night. See ' Travel '.

There's a high risk of terrorist attacks in Nigeria by various militant groups.  Further attacks are likely. 

Terrorist attacks:

• can happen anywhere and at any time, and
• may target venues visited by foreigners, including tourists.

Potential targets include a wide range of locations. Avoid places where crowds gather, this includes:

• political meetings and government buildings
• religious gatherings and places of worship
• schools, law enforcement facilities and international organisations
• markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants
• sports events
• transport hubs (including train networks)
• camps for displaced people.

Terrorists may seek to target the staff of, or locations closely associated with, foreign governments. Australian officials rarely travel outside of Abuja and Lagos, due to the high-risk security environment. Australian officials always use enhanced security measures when they travel.

Attacks can be large, simultaneous, and might include:

• suicide bombers

Boko Haram is active in north-eastern Nigeria, especially Borno State. Boko Haram also operates in adjacent north eastern states including Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe and Yobe, and, in the past, has launched attacks further afield such as in Abuja. Over 10,000 people are estimated to have been killed by Boko Haram in more than 10 years of conflict.

The Islamic State West Africa Province has become very active across Nigeria. They have shown a capability and intent to conduct operations in large parts of the country.

Criminal bandit groups are active throughout Nigeria. Attacks on civilians, motorists and local communities can involve gunfire, explosives and kidnapping.

Armed groups often target transport routes. Avoid intercity transport by road and rail. If despite our advice you undertake travel within Nigeria, research routes and get professional security advice and support before departing.

To protect yourself from terrorism:

• always be alert to threats, especially in public places
• avoid non-essential travel
• avoid crowds, and if you must go to a crowded place, have a clear exit plan
• monitor the media for threats, curfews and other restrictions
• take official warnings seriously
• follow the advice of local news and security authorities.

If you're in a ' Do not travel ' area, leave if it's safe to do so.

If there's an attack, leave the area immediately. Avoid the affected area in case of secondary attacks.

More information:

The threat of  kidnapping  is high in all parts of Nigeria,  including in Lagos and Abuja.  Kidnappings may be carried out for either political or criminal reasons, seeking political concessions or ransom payments.

Terrorist organisation, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province engage in kidnapping throughout Nigeria.

There is an increasing risk of kidnapping throughout Nigeria by criminal bandit groups, and an ongoing risk of kidnapping in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

Seaborne kidnapping in the Gulf of Guinea region is a significant risk.

Kidnappers usually target locals, but foreigners have been taken, including Australians in the past. Foreigners and aid workers may be targets.

If you travel to a high-risk area despite our advice, we may not be able to provide consular services. Seek professional security advice and arrange personal security measures.

The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers.

Civil unrest and political tension

The risk of election related violence in Nigeria is high. Politically motivated murders and kidnappings have occurred. C lashes between political supporters and their opponents or government authorities is high.

While foreigners are not expected to be specifically targeted by election related violence, you may become caught up in election related events.

Demonstrations and protests

Foreigners generally aren't the target of civil unrest. However, you could get caught up in violence directed at others. Avoid public demonstrations, rallies, gatherings, and protest activity. These can turn violent and sometimes been subject to forceful suppression by government security forces, including the use of live fire. Government authorities may also impose local curfews with little warning.

Protests have the potential to occur spontaneously and in several locations at once. Protests can occur anywhere in Nigeria, including in Abuja and Lagos, resulting in violence, looting and deaths. The security situation can change rapidly.

Long-standing tribal, religious, political and community arguments can lead to violence and unrest. Recent civil unrest has also included conflict between cattle herders and villagers in many rural locations of Nigeria. 

There have been strikes and protests over the cost of living in Nigeria.

Trading and business disruptions have occurred as a result of this action. You should maintain stocks of essential supplies during this time.

To protect yourself if you encounter a protest or local tension:

• leave and avoid the immediate affected area
• monitor local media and other sources for updates
• plan for interruptions to phone and internet services
• follow the instructions of local authorities.
• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Violent crime

Nigeria's crime rate is high. Crime increases at night, particularly in major cities and on highways. The following forms of crime are common:

• kidnapping  (see 'Kidnapping')
• violent  assault
• armed robbery  and banditry
• home invasion or burglary
• assaults and robberies on public transport or in taxis
• attacks on motorists travelling between cities (see ‘ Road travel ’).

If you're a victim of violent crime, especially  rape , get immediate medical attention. Nigeria has a higher rate of HIV/AIDS infections than Australia.

Petty crime

To protect yourself from petty crime:

• avoid travel alone or after dark
• avoid conspicuous displays of money in public places or in the presence of persons unknown to you
• take care when changing money or using ATMs
• secure valuable personal items when leaving hotel rooms
• arrange airport and hotel pick-ups with someone you know or by using the airport transfer arrangements of a major hotel
• use hotel car service arrangements rather than local taxis or rideshare apps.

Cyber security

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you’re connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth.

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media.

• Cyber security when travell ing overseas

Scams and fraud

Commercial and internet fraud often originates in Nigeria.

Criminals often seek details of 'safe' bank accounts overseas, such as yours. They claim they will transfer large sums of money into the account. Victims believe they will get a percentage of the amount involved.

Be aware of other scams where criminals:

• give fake cheques for 'urgent' shipments of goods
• ask for large fees for fake government contracts
• pretend to be calling from your financial institution
• extort money from people the scammers convince to travel to Africa for a business opportunity.

To protect yourself against a scam, be wary of:

• any request to send money to a person in Nigeria, including people you know
• any invitation to Nigeria to meet someone you have met over the internet.

Be careful about giving out personal information or disposing of personal documents while in Nigeria.

Scammers can access your personal data when you use open networks. Be careful when and where you use internet banking and other sites that transmit or store your data or passwords.

If you're travelling to Nigeria, your family and friends may receive bogus phone calls and emails from Nigeria. Scammers may claim that you're in legal, financial or medical trouble and that you need money.

Some scammers may pretend to work to for the Australian High Commission in Abuja and ask you to transfer money to the High Commission.  Check with the High Commission first through its official contact details if you're asked to send money or information to them (see ' Local contacts ' ).

Do not travel to Nigeria to try to get your money back or seek revenge. You could be in danger.

Bogus dating schemes

Scammers in West Africa operate fake online friendship, dating and marriage schemes to defraud and threaten foreigners. They do this by targeting Australians and other foreigners on internet dating sites or chat rooms. They may pose as a prospective friend or partner.

Once a friendship develops, the scammer asks for money to allow them to travel to Australia. In some cases, the scammer ends the relationship once the money has been sent. There's little chance of getting the money back.

In other cases, foreigners are lured to Africa to meet their prospective friend or partner. Once in Africa, they may become the victim of kidnapping, assault, robbery or extortion.

Climate and natural disasters

Nigeria experiences a rainy season is from May to October. In past years, there have been significant casualties and widespread damage to infrastructure caused by severe flooding. Essential services may be disrupted. Follow the advice of local authorities and check the media for updates. 

The dry season is from November to April. Temperatures may be higher than 40°C for multiple days, especially in the north.

Nigeria experiences the Harmattan from December to March. This seasonal wind blows sand and dust in the air. Dust storms are common and flights can change due to bad visibility.

Strong ocean currents occur along the coast. Conditions can change quickly. Several people drown each year.

If a  natural disaster  or  severe weather  happens, follow the advice of local authorities.

• Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
• National Emergency Management Agency  

Travel insurance

Get comprehensive  travel insurance  before you leave. 

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Travel insurance may not cover you for travel to do not travel locations in Nigeria. 

Physical and mental health

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare, or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your  nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate  to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location .

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips  (Healthdirect Australia)

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor. 

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Nigeria. Take enough legal medication for your trip.  Do not assume the same medication will be available in Nigeria if your supply runs out. The quality of medication in Nigeria can't be guaranteed.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medication is
• your required dosage
• that it's for personal use

Health risks

HIV/AIDS  is common in Nigeria.

Take precautions if you engage in activities that may expose you to the virus.

Insect-borne diseases

Yellow fever  is common in Nigeria. Yellow fever is a potentially fatal virus spread by mosquitoes. It's prevented by vaccination, which is a requirement for entry into Nigeria. You must provide proof of vaccination in the form of a 'yellow book'.  Get vaccinated before you leave.

Other common insect-borne diseases include:

To protect yourself from disease:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothes
• consider taking medicine to prevent malaria.

Get medical advice if you have a fever, muscle pain, rash or severe headache.

• Infectious diseases

Other health risks

Lassa fever  occurs in several states in Nigeria. Monitor local media and the World Health Organization for updates.

Lassa fever is spread through contact with rodents or body fluids of infected people. To protect yourself:

• avoid contact with rodents and their droppings
• keep food in clean, rodent-proof containers
• don't eat any food if it could be contaminated
• avoid contact with the blood and body fluids of infected people
• avoid contact with items that may have come in contact with an infected person's blood or body fluids (clothes, bedding, needles, medical equipment).

Monkeypox is endemic in parts of Africa. In areas where monkeypox is found, you should avoid contact with animals (especially primates and rodents), infected people and items that may have come into contact with them.

Common waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases include:

• bilharzia (schistosomiasis)
• tuberculosis

Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.

To protect yourself from illness:

• drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids
• avoid ice cubes
• avoid raw and undercooked food or food that may have been washed in untreated water, including salads
• don't swim in fresh water.

Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.

Medical care

Medical facilities.

Medical facilities throughout Nigeria can be basic.

You may need to pay cash up-front before doctors, ambulances and hospitals will treat you, even in an emergency.

If you're seriously ill or injured, you'll need evacuation to a place with better facilities. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our  Consular Services Charter . But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Penalties for drug offences are severe. They may include long jail terms and large fines.

• Carrying or using drugs

Death penalty

The death penalty can apply for serious crimes like murder and armed robbery in Nigeria.

Sharia law operates in 12 northern Nigerian states:

• Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara in the north west
• Niger in the north central region
• Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, and Yobe in the north east

Sharia law is increasingly enforced in these areas.

Serious crimes, including stealing, adultery and blasphemy may also lead to harsh punishment under Sharia Law,  including extra-judicial execution or corporal punishment. 

Same-sex relationships largely regarded as socially unacceptable and are illegal in all parts of Nigeria. 

It's illegal to:

• enter into a same-sex marriage or civil union
• plan or take part in a same-sex marriage ceremony
• register, operate or visit gay clubs, societies or organisations
• make any public show of a same-sex relationship
• cross-dress

Same-sex sexual activity between adults can carry severe penalties in states operating under Sharia law.

• Advice for LGBTI travellers

It's illegal to photograph or film around:

• government buildings
• military sites
• diplomatic premises

Restricted areas may not be well defined or signposted.

It's also illegal to:

• smoke in public places
• export African art or artefacts without a permit from the relevant authorities.

See further information on items subject to import and export restrictions for travellers from Nigeria’s Customs service , including under ‘passenger concessions’.

Australian laws

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Dual citizenship

If you're an Australian-Nigerian dual national and aged between 18 and 30, you may be required to join the National Youth Service Corps program.

Nigerian authorities may insist dual nationals enter and exit on a Nigerian passport.

Contact an  embassy or consulate of Nigeria  for advice before you travel.

• Dual nationals

Local customs

Nigeria is ethnically and religiously diverse. Avoid behaving or dressing in ways that might offend local expectations or religious sensitivities, especially outside of urban areas.  Respect religious and cultural customs and laws. 

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan is observed in Nigeria, especially in northern Nigeria. 

During Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking may be illegal in public during the day ( see 'Sharia Law') . If you're not fasting, avoid these activities around people who are. Seek local advice to avoid offence.

Visas and border measures

Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering. 

You'll need a valid visa to travel or reside in Nigeria. You can apply and pay for a visa online on the Nigeria Immigration Service  website. To complete the process, you'll need to provide your passport by mail or in person to the appropriate Nigerian diplomatic mission in your country.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the  nearest embassy or consulate  for details about visas, customs and quarantine rules.

Border measures

Expect enhanced screening measures at airports.  Check the  Nigerian International Travel Portal  for the most up to date entry requirements.

• Nigeria Immigration Service  

Other formalities

Yellow fever vaccination.

You'll need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Nigeria. Some airlines may require sighting your vaccination certificate prior to boarding your flight to Nigeria.

Find out about returning to Australia  after exposure to yellow fever .

• Countries with a risk of yellow fever (PDF 74KB)

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting  a new passport .

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the  Australian Passport Information Service .
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest  Australian embassy or consulate .

Passport with ‘X’ gender identifier

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can’t guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest  embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination  before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.

• LGBTI travellers

The local currency is the Nigeria Naira (NGN). 

Nigeria is still largely a cash based economy.

You must declare amounts of currencies, negotiable instruments, or precious stones/metals in excess of US$10,000 or its equivalent brought into or out of Nigeria.

Facilities for changing traveller's cheques and Australian dollars are very limited.

US dollars, British Pounds and Euros are easily exchangeable in Nigeria, and usually accepted at:

• major hotels
• foreign exchange services.

ATMs are widely available in major cities only. However, it’s hard to use non-Nigerian debit and credit cards outside of major hotels. Most transactions need to be conducted using local cards, bank transfers or cash.

Fraud is a risk when using debit and credit cards

Local travel

Travel services in Nigeria are not reliable. Not all travel providers accept credit or debit cards. You should reconsider your need to travel and have back-up options.  

Land borders

Avoid travelling over land borders to Nigeria. Nigeria's land borders may open and close at short notice. C heck if the specific border you propose to travel through is open at the time of travel.  Most destinations bordering Nigeria also have a high travel advice level. If despite our advice you travel overland, read the travel advice of the destination you're entering or exiting.

Driving permit

International Driving Permits aren't recognised in Nigeria.

You must have a local driver's licence.

Road travel

Driving in Nigeria is dangerous due to:

• poorly maintained roads and vehicles
• poor local driving habits
• unpredictable pedestrians
• poor signage
• lack of working traffic lights
• poor road lighting

Be alert to security threats, particularly in traffic jams and at traffic lights. Keep your doors locked and windows up at all times.

Avoid travel by domestic road transport between urban centres due to the high incidence of attacks on motorists by criminal gangs, bandits and terrorists. These may stop travellers with nails and branches on the road, fake breakdowns and injured people. If despite our advice, you decide to travel via domestic road transport, you should engage professional security for support and planning. Travelling in an armoured motor vehicle is the safest domestic road transport option.

Expect delays when you travel. This can include:

• authorised and unauthorised police and military roadblocks
• checkpoints
• traffic diversions
• parking restrictions

These will often happen in major cities and after dark.

If you can't produce your identity documents, car registration or ownership papers, police may fine you or ask for a bribe.

If you're in a traffic accident, nearby crowds may gather quickly. They may also overreact if they think you're at fault or use this as an opportunity to assault you or steal from you.

• Driving or riding

Motorcycles

Motorbikes are banned in some cities – for example in Lagos. Check with your travel insurer if your policy covers you to ride a motorcycle.

Always wear a helmet.

Taxis and public transport

We recommend using car hire services organised through a major hotel. Do not use local taxis and ride-sharing services due to poor safety standards and risk of petty crime. Don't use public transport including bus and rail services, to travel both within or between cities. 

Public transport is often unsafe, due to:

• unqualified and uninsured drivers
• poor vehicle maintenance
• high speed driving
• overcrowding
• being targeted by criminal gangs, bandits and terrorists

Travelling in an armoured motor vehicle is the safest option.

At sea or on ships in port, you may encounter:

• armed robbery

Do not travel in the Gulf of Guinea or coastal areas around the Niger Delta. Criminals with speedboats and high-calibre weapons commonly target pleasure crafts, cruise liners, oil tankers, container ships and other large vessels in these areas.

The Nigerian Navy has limited capacity to respond to piracy. The International Maritime Bureau issues  piracy reports .

Domestic and international flights are often overbooked, delayed or cancelled with little notice.

Safety and reliability of some domestic airlines is a concern. Airlines may not have strict maintenance procedures and safety standards. If you travel on these airlines, insurance may not cover you.

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check  Nigeria's air safety profile  with the Aviation Safety Network.

Emergencies

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider

National emergency numbers, 119 and 112, can be unreliable.

Ambulance service response times are unreliable and may not be available outside of major cities.

Police can be slow to respond to reports of criminal activity. Sometimes they may not investigate your report. Sometimes they don't respond at all.

Always try to get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Consular contacts

Read the  Consular Services Charter  for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

Australia has a High Commission in Abuja. However, it may be limited in terms of the consular and passport services it can provide.

Australia has a consulate in Lagos. It provides limited consular assistance and doesn’t issue Australian passports.

Australian High Commission, Abuja

Phone: +234 (0) 9460 6960 Email:  [email protected] Website:  nigeria.highcommission.gov.au Facebook:  Australia in Nigeria X:  @AusHCAbuja

Check the High Commission website for details about services, opening hours, appointments and any temporary closures.

Australian Honorary Consulate, Lagos

8th Floor, Union Marble House 1 Alfred Rewane Road (formerly Kingsway), Falomo Ikoyi Lagos, Nigeria Phone: (+234 0) 803 300 7291 Email:  [email protected]

Australia has an Honorary Consulate in Lagos which provides limited consular assistance, contact the High Commission in Abuja for consular enquires first. 

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia

Travelling to Nigeria?

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Nigeria Travel Guide: Essential Facts and Information

Michael Kraus/EyeEm/Getty Images

As the most populous country in Africa, Nigeria is often considered the continent's powerhouse. Rich in oil and increasingly tech-savvy, it's also a major destination for business travelers and its booming economy is in evidence in the sparkling megacity of Lagos. Here, world-class restaurants, nightclubs, art galleries and malls vie for space with commercial skyscrapers. Elsewhere in Nigeria you'll find rural villages, breathtaking nature reserves and golden beaches; but beware, political turmoil and terrorism make some areas of the country unsafe.

Check the latest travel warnings before booking your trip to Nigeria.

Part of West Africa , Nigeria borders the Gulf of Guinea on its southern edge. It also shares land borders with Benin to the west, Niger to the north, Chad to the northeast and Cameroon to the east.

Nigeria has a total land mass of 351,649 square miles/ 910,768 square kilometers, making it slightly more than twice the size of California. It is the 14th largest country in Africa.

Capital City

The capital of Nigeria is Abuja.

According to a July 2018 estimate by the CIA World Factbook, Nigeria has a population of over 203.4 million people - more than any other African nation. This includes more than 250 distinct ethnic groups of which the most populous are the Hausa and the Fulani, the Yoruba and the Igbo.

There are over 520 languages spoken in Nigeria (the third-most of any country in the world). The official language and lingua franca is English. Other major languages include Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo and Fulani.

Islam is the majority religion in Nigeria, accounting for 51.6% of the population. Nearly 47% of Nigerians identify as Christian with the remainder hold indigenous beliefs.

The naira is the official currency in Nigeria. For accurate exchange rates, use this helpful online converter .

Nigeria has a tropical climate and temperatures remain consistently warm all year round. The country's large size means that there are several different climatic zones, each with their own unique weather pattern. However, the weather in Nigeria is generally defined by its wet and dry seasons. For most of the country, the wet season runs from April to October, although rains start as early as February in the south. The dry season runs from November to March and brings with it the dry, dusty harmattan wind.

There are pros and cons to traveling in either season, but most visitors agree that despite the harmattan , the dry season is the most pleasant time to experience Nigeria. Humidity is at its lowest at this time of year, there are fewer insects and your trip is less likely to be delayed by flooding in rural areas of the country.

Key Attractions

Sprawled along the edge of Lagos Lagoon, Lagos may no longer be Nigeria's capital but it is still the country's beating heart. With a population of 21 million people, it's a hive of activity known for its vibrant music and art scene. You can dance until dawn in the city's nightclubs, shop for contemporary fashion or learn about Nigerian history at the National Museum.

Yankari National Park

Yankari National Park preserves a large tract of interior savannah and offers the best game-viewing in the country. You can expect to see a wide variety of wildlife including elephants, buffalo, waterbuck and lions. The birdlife is also spectacular with more than 350 recorded species. After a busy day, don't miss out on a dip in the park's scenic Wikki Warm Springs.

A center of Yoruba spirituality in the south of the country, Oshogbo is most famous for the Osun-Osugbo Sacred Grove, a UNESCO-protected cultural site located on its outskirts. This dense patch of primary forest is believed to be the home of Yoruba fertility goddess Osun. Sculptures, sanctuaries and shrines can be found amidst the ancient trees and along the meandering river.

Getting There

Nigeria has several major airports. The one most frequently used by international visitors is Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS), located on the outskirts of Lagos. Many airlines offer flights to Lagos, including Emirates, Delta, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways. Most visitors require a visa and must apply for one at their nearest Nigerian embassy before departure. For more information, visit the Nigeria Immigration Service website .

Medical Requirements

In addition to making sure that your routine vaccines are up-to-date, the CDC recommends the following vaccinations for all visitors to Nigeria: measles, polio, yellow fever, and other routine vaccines. Proof of polio vaccination is an exit requirement for visitors that spend more than four weeks in the country, and proof of yellow fever vaccination is an entry requirement for anyone traveling to Nigeria from a yellow fever country.

Other vaccines including cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A and B, and rabies may be advisable depending on which part of the country you're traveling to. Malaria is a risk throughout, and prophylactics should be taken to prevent infection. There is no ongoing Zika outbreak, but there have been past instances of transmission in Nigeria, so pregnant women or women hoping to conceive should talk to a health care provider before traveling.

The 10 Best Things to Do in Nigeria

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• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Entry requirements

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, 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 .

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Nigeria.

Visa requirements

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

Some business travellers are eligible to apply for a visa on arrival. Check the visa conditions from Nigerian Immigration Services .

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

You can apply for a visa from Nigerian Immigration Services .

Vaccination requirements

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the  vaccinations and certificates you need in TravelHealthPro’s Nigeria guide .

Depending on your circumstances, this may include a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Health screening

You must fill in an online Nigeria Health Declaration Form when entering Nigeria. This includes transit passengers. On arrival, a paper version is available.

You may be asked to take part in thermal screening and carry out a travel history check. This is to assist the Nigerian Government in the detection of diseases of public health importance.

Customs rules

It is illegal to import beer, mineral water, soft drinks, sparkling wine, fruits, vegetables, cereals, eggs, textile fabrics, jewellery and precious metals. It is illegal to export African art, particularly antiques, without written authorisation from the Department of Antiquities. Find more details from the Nigeria High Commission in the UK .

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8 of the best places to visit in Nigeria

Apr 27, 2023 • 9 min read

Get to know Nigeria with this guide to the country's best places to visit © i_am_zews / Shutterstock

After a day or two, most visitors to Nigeria wish they had planned to stay longer in the country.

Once they start seeing the sights, and meeting the people, they realize that there is way more to do than they had believed possible. Don’t make the same mistake – give yourself a long leash. For administrative ease, the country’s 36 states are grouped into six geopolitical zones. If you intend to stay in more than one state, plan your travels along the same lines; pick an anchor city, and take things one state or zone at a time.

In the South-South, for example, the scenic and slow-paced city of Uyo can be your base to explore the Niger Delta states. In the North East, Bauchi is a perfect base to explore the rocky landscapes of Plateau, Adamawa, Borno and Taraba states.

Narrow down your list with these top places to visit in Nigeria.

Best city for an intro to Nigeria

Whether you’re traveling solo or as a group, Abuja  is your best introduction to Nigeria. By design, it is a city for holidaymaking: hills, public gardens and leisure parks dot the cityscape, right through its residential districts, so you’re guaranteed ample green spaces. Millenium Park’s landscaped grounds attract hundreds of picnickers; rent a mat inside the park and just chill. Aso Rock, where Nigeria’s presidential palace gets its name, looms nicely in the background.

Abuja’s wide walkways and boulevards make walking a pleasure any time of the day. If you’re traveling with kids, Central Park , Magicland Amusement Park , Jabi Lake Park and Arttech District are go-to family spots. Together, they offer dining, outdoor activities and games – from horseback riding and roller-skating to bicycle trails and go-karts.

Abuja is also a city for hiking, and there’s a trek up any of the city’s hills every weekend. Organized by hiking groups and clubs like Naija Adventurers , Tha Outdoor Tribe and Mantrek Hikers Club , there is little or no formality to join. Periodically, the hiking extends to landmarks in neighboring Niger, Nasarawa and Kaduna states.

Planning tip:  Factor in a visit to Abuja's newly opened Nike Art Gallery  as you travel to or from the airport.

2. Calabar 

Best city for heritage and celebrations

Tourists come to Calabar to connect a number of nature and heritage sites: the Slave History Museum , Cross River National Park , Obudu Mountain Resort and the Afi Mountain Drill Sanctuary . 

The Bakor (or Ikom) monoliths, a group of 300+ stones that are 1–1.5m-tall (3–5ft), are also one of the region’s main attractions. These centuries-old stones are believed by clans in the host communities to be their forebears. Some of the stones are within easy reach of Calabar, others are in more remote forested areas, with a permanent exhibition in an open-air museum at Alok, 156km (97 miles) north of Calabar.

Another reason to visit Calabar is for its thrilling events, culminating with the Christmas festival, a December-long fiesta of concerts and street parties. Another crowd-puller here is the carnival, a pan-Nigeria cultural parade with participation from at least half a dozen countries. Leboku New Yam Festival, one of the best known in Nigeria, held in August or September, also draws people in. On the eve, host communities perform ritual ceremonies to their "stone ancestors", re-painting them in colored chalk and in readiness for the festival proper.

Best place to hang out on the beach

Lagos is a delight on many levels. The city’s coastline is already a busy corridor for resorts and beach houses. On weekends, Lagosians pour into a long stretch of private beaches  to party and enjoy a suite of water-based sports. For the best beach experiences, take a short boat ride to Tarkwa Bay or hop in a car to Landmark Beach .

As the birthplace of Nollywood (Nigeria’s movie industry) and the now-global Afrobeats movement, the city has been at the heart of Nigeria’s entertainment boom for decades. In the last half of the year, Lagos' creative side is in full swing as it hosts a long list of festivals, like the Lagos International Poetry Festival , Lagos Fringe Festival and Art X Lagos .

Its bustling metropolis aside, the “city of aquatic splendor” combines urban appeal with well-kept traditions. Downtown Lagos, home to the Eyo masquerade, is a network of Igas (palaces), shrines and markets. On its most westerly end, Badagry, once a town of enslaved people, is a place where tourists and pilgrims alike come to visit historical landmarks: Badagry Heritage Museum , Mobee Slave Relics Museum, Vlekete Slave Market Museum and Brazilian Baracoon, among others.

Planning tip: Lagos is at its partying best in December when it hosts multiple concerts, musicals and entertainment shows. The city is also less crowded during the period, meaning you can get where you want to be much faster.

4. Mambilla Plateau

Best for adventure travelers

A trip to the Mambilla Plateau is the ultimate Nigerian adventure. On this multi-day journey you’ll travel through vast savannah lands and long winding roads, driving up and down multiple hilly terrains, past dairy farms, streams, and rivers. At the Mayoselbe–Tunga stretch of the highway, you’ll come within a few feet of a tribe of monkeys.

Multiple waterfalls await you at Maisamari, Lemetela and Mbanga towns. But the goal of every visitor to Mambilla is to hike up Chappal Waddi (7936ft), the highest point in Nigeria. At Gembu, a major transit town near Cameroon, explore the Donga River on local paddle boats or visit any of the tea farms, the Highland Tea being the most prominent, where you'll see harvesters fling the leaves over their shoulders into elongated, hand-made baskets strapped to their backs. Make time to explore Gashaka-Gumti National Park , the largest of Nigeria’s 17 national parks, all managed by the Nigeria Parks Service .

Planning tip: You can reach Gembu by road from Abuja, Jalingo and Yola. Visits here involve long overland travels by bus and motorbike, so it's best to allow a week at least. Nature Connects , based on the Plateau, provides guiding and advisory services. Mambilla is suitable for hiking year-round, but best between December and March, when the grounds are less slippery. This is also the best time for wildlife spotting. The plateau is at its greenest between April and September; to visit some of its waterfalls, head there between September and December.

Best city for culture and history

Ilorin, in Nigeria’s North-Central region, is usually not on the itinerary of tourists but deserves to be. The emir’s palace is at the heart of Ilorin’s cultural and spiritual life. Palace officials will show you around, the tour typically starting from the four pillars memorializing the emirate’s past wartime exploits. The multiple buildings within and adjoining the palace (Ilorin Central Mosque, for one), are markers of various periods as Ilorin transitioned in the early 19th century from an outpost of the Old Oyo Empire to a stronghold of the Sokoto Caliphate.

Its historical appeal aside, Ilorin has preserved many of its old cottage industries, including aso oke (handwoven fabric), mat- and basket-weaving. Visit the unmissable Dada pottery, to learn about the skills passed down among womenfolk for generations.

Planning tip: Ilorin, like other northern Nigerian cities, sparkles at Eid-al-Adha when the city hosts the annual durbar festival, a colorful equestrian parade in northern Nigeria. In August, there’s a traditional mass wedding ceremony, which takes place in Shao town (14km/9 miles away).  

6. Northern Nigeria

Best region for architecture

Northern Nigeria is an outdoor gallery of eye-catching indigenous architecture – designed, built and decorated by master masons from the 19th century. From Sokoto and Kano (North-West) to Gombe and Maiduguri (North-East), your gaze is constantly met by brightly painted mosques. 

The palaces and some public buildings are more elaborately decorated, with Hausa motifs and, in some cases, complemented by Arabic inscriptions. Palaces of the Emirs of Dutse, Bauchi, Gombe and Zaria, and the Shehu of Borno are star examples. Inside the Gidan Makama Museum (Kano) and Kanta Museum (Kebbi), formerly palaces, you’ll learn more about the history and culture of Hausaland.  

There’s more Nigerian vernacular architecture in Jos, at the open-air Museum of Traditional Nigerian Architecture (MOTNA), which shares space with the Jos National Museum . Here, you’ll find lifesize replicas of huts and homesteads unique to different ethnic groups in the country. Among them: Tiv, Idoma and Afizere compounds. The Bight of Benin, modeled after the palace of the Oba of Benin, doubles as a restaurant. 

Best place for ancient traditions and high-up views

Idanre is the site of an old hilltop settlement in Nigeria’s Western region. Tucked among the hills is the old palace that was home to 25 successive kings. The path to the palace, its low roofing propped up by carved wooden posts, is dotted by relics of a past civilisation, including potsherd pavements, a native court, a prison and a shrine. 

The hills are Idanre’s main attraction. And looking out from 915m (3000ft) into the distance to the sprawling settlements at the foot of the hills, first occupied in the 1930s, is one of the most heartwarming views in this corner of the world. 

Planning tip: Idanre hosts a number of festivals throughout the year. In February, young men march off to two caves on the hills for the annual bat-hunting festival. Orosun festival, in honor of the goddess of fertility, is held in May. The town celebrates Ogun (god of Iron) in October; the Ide festival, perhaps the grandest of all, is in December. That’s when the paramount ruler, the Owa, leads a procession up the hills to wear a crown seen only once in a year.

8. Enugu and the South-East

Best region for national history and nature walks

Enugu is the heartland of Nigeria’s South-East region, a status it earned in the early 1900s when huge reserves of coal were discovered in its hills. Today, more than a century later, its tranquil neighborhoods, pine forests and public parks makes it one of Nigeria’s touristy cities. 

Begin your tour at the National Museum of Unity to understand the Igbo belief system. Part of the exhibition includes the Ijele masquerade, an important component of ceremonial gatherings in Igboland. Dig deeper into Igbo worldview at the Center for Memories . For more on Nigeria’s pre- and post-colonial history, head to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Centre, a museum and library that opened in December 2022, housed in what was the Premier’s Lodge of the old Eastern Region in the 1950s.

After touring the museums, travel up the Milken Hills to the pine forest of the suburban Ngwo town and onwards to the caves and waterfalls further down the trail. Alternately, from Enugu drive to Awhum town, famed also for its caves and waterfalls – and a monastery . The Ezeagu Tourist complex is within the vicinity; here, you can take a dip in the gentle rush of the stream.

Planning tip: If you are keen for more cave-themed adventures, then cross the inter-state border into Anambra State. The Ogbunike Caves , 77km (48 miles) southwest of Enugu, are a maze of tunnels and streams with lots of bats. Less well known, but no less spectacular, are the caves-waterfalls-rock complex at Ogba-Ukwu, 60km (38 miles) from the port city of Onitsha.  

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Introducing Nigeria

About nigeria.

• Images of Nigeria
• History, language & culture
• Weather & geography
• Doing business & staying in touch

Plan your trip

• Travel to Nigeria
• Where to stay

While you’re there

• Things to see & do
• Shopping & nightlife
• Food & drink
• Getting around

Before you go

• Passport & visa
• Public Holidays
• Money & duty free

Book your flights

• Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport

Nigeria travel guide

From the loud laughter of traffic-choked Lagos to the green-fringed villages that line rivers and streams, Nigeria is one of the most exciting places to visit in Africa.

Once known only for oil and chaos, the country is changing rapidly. It has a rising middle class, a dynamic arts scene and more miles of golden sand than you can shake a bucket and spade at. Its national parks are home to some of the last remaining endangered species in West Africa, while its mountains offer a cooler climate and spectacular views of the most populous country in Africa.

Those 177 million people are as diverse as the nation itself; in the north, you'll see men in colourful Muslim dress lining prayer mats on Fridays, while their southern counterparts play checkers before church. The cuisine too is varied; there are hot and spicy dishes, fresh fish and meat, fast food and imported fare.

But Nigeria's greatest asset – its wealth of native races and religions, its vibrant population – have also proven its downfall on countless explosive occasions, and military overthrows, coups and assassinations have been numerous. The situation is particularly fraught in northern Nigeria, which is home to the jihadist group, Boko Haram (meaning “Western education is forbidden”).

For all its domestic difficulties, Nigeria remains a major regional power and lays claim to the biggest economy in Africa – if you want to feel the excitement of an emerging country, this land will blow you away.

It’s full of surprises, too. Visitors can find themselves dancing the night away at a Nigerian wedding party, sipping champagne with supermodels, haggling for art in Lagos’ hipster district, Yabi, and swimming beneath cascading waterfalls in the mountains.

Though Nigeria is a loud and brash destination, it also has a quieter, more reflective side that deserves to be seen. In fact it has so many faces that at times it feels more like a continent than a country.

923,768 sq km (356,669 sq miles).

181,526,056 (UN estimate 2016)

204.2 per sq km.

President Bola Tinubu since 2023.

Travel Advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice .

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice.

North East Nigeria

FCDO advises against all travel to:

• Borno State
• Adamawa State
• Gombe State

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

• Bauchi State
• Taraba State

North West Nigeria

• Kaduna State
• Katsina State
• Zamfara State
• Jigawa State
• Sokoto State
• within 20km of the border with Niger in Kebbi State

North Central Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, including Abuja

• Niger State
• Plateau 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.

• non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers and Akwa Ibom states
• Anambra State

Nigeria-Niger border   

The Nigeria-Niger land border has been closed by the Nigerian authorities in response to the political situation in Niger. If you’re planning to travel by land across this border, check with the local authorities for the latest information before travelling.

See Niger travel advice before travelling by land across this border.

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel . 

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes:

• advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks
• information for women, LGBT+ and disabled travellers

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, 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 .

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Nigeria.

Visa requirements

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

Some business travellers are eligible to apply for a visa on arrival. Check the visa conditions from Nigerian Immigration Services .

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

You can apply for a visa from Nigerian Immigration Services .

Vaccination requirements

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the  vaccinations and certificates you need in TravelHealthPro’s Nigeria guide .

Depending on your circumstances, this may include a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Health screening

You must fill in an online Nigeria Health Declaration Form when entering Nigeria. This includes transit passengers. On arrival, a paper version is available.

You may be asked to take part in thermal screening and carry out a travel history check. This is to assist the Nigerian Government in the detection of diseases of public health importance.

Customs rules

It is illegal to import beer, mineral water, soft drinks, sparkling wine, fruits, vegetables, cereals, eggs, textile fabrics, jewellery and precious metals. It is illegal to export African art, particularly antiques, without written authorisation from the Department of Antiquities. Find more details from the Nigeria High Commission in the UK .

You should also read FCDO ’s overall travel advice and regional risks advice .

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. You should remain alert at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad .

Terrorism in Nigeria

Terrorists are very likely to try and carry out attacks in Nigeria.

The primary terrorist threat in Nigeria comes from Islamic State West Africa ( ISWA ) and Boko Haram. These groups are mainly based in north-east Nigeria in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. Since 2021, there have also been attacks likely associated with terrorist groups in Niger, Kaduna, Kogi, Bauchi, Ondo, Zamfara, Taraba, Jigawa, Sokoto, Edo and Kano states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory.

Attacks could be indiscriminate and could occur at any time, including in places frequented by foreign nationals, such as:

• places of worship
• bars and restaurants
• sports venues and screenings
• displacement camps
• train networks and stations
• government buildings
• educational institution
• international organisations
• large public gatherings

Take particular care during election periods, or periods of religious significance or other public holidays.

Terrorist groups have also constructed bogus vehicle checkpoints on major supply and commercial routes, such as the A3 Maiduguri-Damaturu road.

A heavy security presence is often a sign of a particularly high risk. Avoid affected areas in the immediate aftermath of an attack. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.

Recent significant attacks have included:

• in June 2023, Islamic State West Africa ( ISWA ) carried out an IED attack in Nasarawa State
• in April 2023, ISWA claimed an IED attack on civilians in Jigawa State
• in February 2023, ISWA bombed a local government office in Kogi State
• in 2022, ISWA claimed responsibility for attacks on Nigerian security personnel in Ondo and Edo states
• in 2022, ISWA attacked the Kuje Prison in the Federal Capital Territory and an unknown number of prisoners escaped
• in 2022, ISWA claimed responsibility for attacks on policemen in Niger State, within 30 kilometres of the Federal Capital Territory

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 kidnap, particularly to NGO workers, in Borno State.  

British nationals are seen as legitimate targets, including tourists, humanitarian aid workers, journalists and business travellers. If you are kidnapped, the reason for your presence is unlikely to protect you or secure your safe release. 

The long-standing policy of the British government policy is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners builds the capability of terrorist groups and finances their activities. This can, in turn, increase the risk of further hostage-taking. The Terrorism Act (2000) makes payments to terrorists illegal. 

Political situation

Political rallies, protests and violent demonstrations can take place with little notice. Get advice on areas to avoid. Take care if you’re visiting crowded public places or attending events which attract large crowds. If you see a threatening or intimidating situation, do not try to make your way through it. Turn around and move to safety.

Incidents of intercommunal violence occur frequently and often without warning throughout Nigeria. Although foreign nationals are not normally targeted, there is a risk you could be caught in an attack. Monitor local government announcements and media reporting.

Curfews and communication blackouts

The authorities impose, amend and lift curfews and restrictions on the movement of vehicles at short notice throughout Nigeria.

If you fail to observe curfews and restrictions, you could be at significant risk. Check with the local authorities or someone with local knowledge for up-to-date information.

Network operators in Nigeria have in the past been ordered to suspend mobile networks and wi-fi with very little notice.

Street and road 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 and rural road networks.

Criminals have targeted visiting British nationals as their perceived wealth makes them attractive victims. Follow guidance offered by hosts or employers and limit road travel at night as far as possible. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and never wear valuable watches, jewellery or items of sentimental value. If you suspect danger, move to a safer area.

If you’re caught up in an armed robbery, immediately comply with the attackers’ demands.

Withdrawing and exchanging money

Areas around banks and ATMs have seen a spike in criminal activity, so take extra precautions when withdrawing cash, especially at night.

The Central Bank of Nigeria has issued new 200, 500 and 1000 naira notes. Check notes from currency exchange vendors are valid.

Credit card fraud is common, so keep your card within sight when paying bills.

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 face-to-face meetings with anyone you have been in contact with online. Get more information on scams from Action Fraud, including ‘419’ emails and letters.

If you’re emailed about a money transfer to Nigeria for someone you know, contact the person supposedly receiving the money. If a caller claims to be in distress, ask if they have reported the incident to the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos.

If you receive a suspicious email that claims to be from any British High Commission office in Nigeria, contact the Consular Section of the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos.

IVF and fertility treatment scams

If you’re considering fertility treatment in Nigeria, be cautious. There have been a number of staged fake births (commonly called ‘miracle babies’) where visitors are falsely led to believe they have given birth. There is a risk in bringing a child who is not biologically related to you into the UK without following the legal procedures. The UK has restricted overseas adoption of children from Nigeria.

Kidnapping for ransom

Kidnapping is widespread across Nigeria. There has been a recent increase in kidnappings in the Abuja Federal Capital Territory area.

Criminal groups may kidnap victims by stopping cars on major highways, including the:

• Abuja-Kaduna highway
• Enugu-Awka-Onitsha expressway in Anambra

There is a high threat of kidnapping and other armed attacks at oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta region. This also applies to facilities at sea.

Possible targets for kidnap include British nationals of Nigerian origin visiting friends and relatives, and British nationals working for international corporations. They will have connections in the country with ready access to funds. There is a possibility that criminal groups could sell hostages on to terrorist organisations.

When arranging meetings, use a secure location. Avoid regular patterns of travel and aim to only travel during daylight hours.

Laws and cultural differences

Using a mobile.

Your SIM must be linked to a Nigerian Identification Number. Get guidance from your network operator.

Nigeria has the largest Muslim population in sub-Saharan Africa. You should behave and dress modestly, particularly in the north and when visiting religious sites.

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year. During this time, in any predominantly Muslim area you should not:

• eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in public areas (including in cars and taxis) during the daytime
• sit down to eat in hotels and restaurants without checking if there is a separate or screened area for food and drink
• ignore dress codes – it is more important to wear respectful clothing during Ramadan
• play loud music, swear, shout, sing or dance

Be aware that driving may be erratic, particularly at dusk when people are getting back home to eat.

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

Possession or use of illegal drugs is a serious offence and can result in lengthy prison sentences and heavy fines.

Using cameras in secure areas

Photography of government, military buildings and airports may lead to arrest.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex relationships are generally viewed as unacceptable in Nigeria. The ‘Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Bill’ allows lengthy prison sentences for those entering into a same-sex marriage, those witnessing, aiding or abetting a same-sex marriage, the operation and support of gay clubs, societies and organisations and the public display of same-sex relationships.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers .

Transport risks

Road travel.

Road travel across Nigeria can be chaotic and slow moving. Take a mobile and a supply of bottled water with you when travelling by car.

You can drive in Nigeria with a UK driving licence for up to 3 months. If necessary renew or update it . The minimum legal age for driving is 18.

If you’re staying longer, you will need a 1968 international driving permit (IDP) . For stays of more than a year, you will have to get a Nigerian driver’s licence .

Limit travel after dark outside city centres as far as possible. Avoid quiet and poorly lit roads. Be alert when in traffic jams or at traffic lights. Keep car windows up and doors locked, and make sure valuables are out of sight. If you feel your vehicle is being followed, drive to the nearest place of safety (such as a police station).

Take care when driving outside cities and consider travelling in convoy.

Dangers at road checkpoints

There are authorised and unauthorised vehicle checkpoints throughout Nigeria. Some are for security checks, others to extort small payments of money. Slow down at any type of checkpoint and stay calm. 

There has been an increasing trend of illegal vehicle checkpoints on major supply and commercial routes in northern Nigeria. This includes attacks on major roads into Maiduguri in Borno State, including the A3 Maiduguri-Damaturu road. These attacks have targeted civilians, security forces and aid workers.

Taxis and buses

Public transport throughout Nigeria is dangerous. Taxis and long-distance buses are often poorly maintained, uninsured and driven by unqualified drivers. Most major hotels offer cars for hire with drivers, so use these where possible. Taxis, including online taxi app services, can pose a kidnap risk to passengers.

If you are expecting a greeter or driver to collect you at any of Nigeria’s international airports, make sure they have properly identified themselves before you set off. Bogus greeters are a problem.

There have been armed robberies and incidents of piracy in Nigerian waters, the wider Gulf of Guinea, and on the rivers and harbours in the Niger Delta area. Mariners should get professional security advice and take appropriate precautions.

Swimming risks

Swimming off the coast of Nigeria is sometimes dangerous due to rip tides and undertows, with drownings occurring each year. Get local advice before swimming.

This section has safety advice for regions of Nigeria. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice. 

Insecurity is increasing across Nigeria. Kidnapping, violent crime, and intercommunal violence occur throughout all regions of Nigeria. You should also read FCDO ’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice .

FCDO advises against all travel to Borno State, Yobe State, Adamawa State and Gombe State.

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Bauchi and Taraba states.

There is a high and increasing threat from Boko Haram or Islamic State West Africa, particularly around transport hubs, religious areas and large gatherings. Humanitarian personnel, vehicles, supplies and infrastructure can be targeted by terrorists and criminals.

There is a high threat of kidnap and violent attacks. Intercommunal tensions can lead to outbreaks of violence. During the dry season when roads are more easily accessible this risk is heightened. 

Regular military operations are ongoing in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. There is a risk of retaliatory attacks.

If you’re in the north-east against FCDO advice, keep in touch with the authorities and the wider community on the security situation. Make sure your safety procedures and contingency plans are up to date. If you are working, make sure you have confidence in your employer’s ability to extract you in the event of any emergency.

If in Maiduguri, be aware that if security were to deteriorate any further, it could be extremely difficult for you to leave the city. FCDO does not advise travelling by road in this area. 

FCDO advises against all travel to Kaduna State, Katsina State and Zamfara State.

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Kano State, Jigawa State, and Sokoto State, and within 20km of the border with Niger in Kebbi State.

Banditry and violent attacks are frequent and there is a high threat of kidnap. Incidents of intercommunal violence occur and trains are vulnerable to attack. If you’re travelling in the north-west against FCDO advice, be extremely cautious and monitor local media.

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Niger, Kogi, and Plateau states due to criminal and militant activity and incidents of intercommunal violence.

The outer suburbs of Abuja, within the Federal Capital Territory are prone to varying levels of violence, and the safety of daily activity is unpredictable. Violent crime, often involving firearms, has increased and spread from the outer suburbs to more central, wealthier areas of the city.

The risk of terrorism in Abuja and the Federal Capital Territory area has increased. Islamic State West Africa ( ISWA ) has claimed responsibility for attacks. In one attack on Kuje Prison in Abuja in 2022, an unknown number of prisoners escaped, including suspected terrorists. The risk is present across the Federal Capital Territory, including Abuja, particularly in the border areas.

Be cautious when travelling in the Federal Capital Territory. Take advice from trusted contacts and be prepared to cancel or limit your plans.

There are regular protests in Abuja, which can turn violent. Monitor local media, avoid demonstrations and large gatherings and follow instructions from local police and security forces.

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Abia, Anambra and Imo states and non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states.

Militant groups are active across the Niger Delta region and have carried out a number of attacks on oil and gas infrastructure. There’s a high risk of armed robbery, criminality and kidnap in the Niger Delta region.

There have been a number of attacks and targeted killings. Some attacks have been on isolated roads and in remote locations, but they could occur in metropolitan areas. There is also a heightened risk of indiscriminate attacks on police and security infrastructure, which may affect bystanders. A number of states have imposed curfews. Be cautious about travelling in remote areas at night and follow local news and information outlets.

Secessionist groups are active in the south-east and attacks and violent clashes often occur with the military and other security forces. Although foreign nationals are not normally targeted, there is a risk you could be caught in an attack. A period of civil disobedience is expected from 15-19 December. Some previous protests have turned violent.  Anyone travelling to the region should exercise increased caution and continue to follow FCDO travel advice. Monitor local government announcements and media reporting.

South West Nigeria

Violent crime such as mugging, kidnapping, car-jacking and armed robberies are common, particularly in the larger cities . Large-scale attacks are rare, but Islamic State West Africa claimed 2 attacks in 2022. Intercommunal violence is common. While these attacks have not targeted foreign nationals, try to avoid being caught up in such incidents.

Be alert and take any security advice given by your hotel, employer or your hosts.

Nigeria borders

The Nigeria-Niger land border has been closed by the Nigerian authorities in response to the political situation in Niger. Additional checks are in place at the Nigeria-Benin, Nigeria-Niger and Nigeria-Cameroon land borders. If you’re planning to make a land crossing from Nigeria, check with the local authorities for the latest information before travelling.

Before you travel check that:

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Call 112 to report an emergency.

There is no national ambulance service and hospital-owned services are extremely limited. You may need to get local advice or arrange local transport.

Contact your insurance company promptly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccinations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip check:

• the latest information on vaccinations and health risks in TravelHealthPro’s Nigeria guide
• where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

There are ongoing outbreaks of diphtheria in Nigeria in 2023. You can find more information from TravelHealthPro .

Pharmacies are widely available in Nigeria. They will accept prescriptions from the UK.

Most medicines that require a prescription from a doctor in the UK will require one in Nigeria. If possible, bring a prescription from your GP for a local doctor to copy.

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro .

The NHS has information on whether you can take your medicine abroad .

Healthcare facilities in Nigeria

FCDO has a list of doctors in Nigeria . 

Medical standards differ from the UK and you will have to pay for any medical treatment that you receive at public hospitals. Private hospitals are more expensive. Local hospitals may be crowded and there can be shortages in medical supplies and equipment.

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health . There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro .

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

Emergency services in Nigeria

Telephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police)

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans , including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding  lawyers and  funeral directors  in Nigeria
• dealing with a  death in Nigeria
• being  arrested in Nigeria
• getting help if you’re a  victim of crime
• what to do if you’re  in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis , such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.

Help abroad in an emergency

If you’re in Nigeria and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the British High Commission in Abuja or the Deputy High Commission in Lagos.

You can also contact FCDO online .

FCDO in London

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)

Find out about call charges

Risk information for British companies

The  Overseas Business Risk service  offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

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COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

Nigeria travel advice

Latest updates: The Health section was updated - travel health information (Public Health Agency of Canada)

Last updated: April 17, 2024 12:09 ET

On this page

Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, nigeria - avoid non-essential travel.

Avoid non-essential travel to Nigeria, including in Abuja, due to the unpredictable security situation throughout the country and the significant risk of terrorism, crime, inter-communal clashes, armed attacks and kidnappings.

Regional risk level - Avoid all travel

• the north-western states of Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara
• the north-central states of Plateau and Kogi
• the north-eastern states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa and Yobe
• the Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and Rivers (with the exception of Rivers’ capital city, Port Harcourt, where we advise against non-essential travel)

Calabar and Lagos - Exercise a high degree of caution

Exercise a high degree of caution in the cities of Calabar and Lagos due to the incidence of crime.

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Violence at banks and ATMs

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has designed and issued new Naira notes, resulting in a cash shortage across the country, especially in rural areas. Banks and ATMs are having problems supplying both the new and old notes to the general public, causing long line-ups to withdraw cash. Cash shortages could affect your ability to pay for goods and services, as credit/debit cards are not widely accepted outside of urban centres. Violence has broken out as a result of public frustration. Protesters have blocked roads and attacked ATMs and banks.

If you decide to go to a bank or ATM:

• be prepared for long line-ups and cash shortages
• do so during daylight hours
• monitor local media for information on violence or protests
• proceed with increased caution

If you are in Nigeria:

• refer to CBN guidelines and plan accordingly
• ensure that you have adequate supplies of consumer goods as purchasing may be difficult
• confirm that old naira notes or credit/debit cards are accepted before entering into a transaction

Northwestern and Northeastern states

There is a threat of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping in the following northwestern and northeastern states:

Bandit groups are increasingly active in the northwest, including in Kaduna state. Violent attacks involving gunfire and explosives, as well as kidnappings, are frequent. They have targeted:

• transportation hubs and networks
• local communities

A state of emergency has been in effect since 2013 in the states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe to account for the increase in incidents of terrorism in the area. Additional security personnel have been deployed to these states. Curfews are also in effect in cities across these states and in Maiduguri. Other curfews could be imposed in other cities in northern Nigeria or could change on short notice.

Local authorities could also interrupt telecommunication services in the northeastern states without notice and for indeterminate periods of time. Neighbouring states could also be affected by these service disruptions.

States of Plateau and Taraba

The states of Plateau and of Taraba are affected by sporadic episodes of inter-communal and sectarian violence. Since early 2022, there has been an increase in violent incidents, including bomb attacks which resulted in a large number of casualties. There has also been an increase in kidnapping cases in Plateau State. Further attacks and kidnappings are likely.   

Niger Delta states

The security situation in the Niger Delta region is fragile and unstable, particularly in the states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers (except in Port Harcourt, where we advise against non-essential travel). Regional and ethnic conflicts between militant groups occur in the area and have led to higher incidents of violent crime and civil unrest. Armed robbery and kidnapping pose a significant threat in the Niger Delta states. Militant activity has also been directed at foreign interests. Armed groups have carried out successful attacks on oil facilities and workers, resulting in injuries and deaths.

• If you choose to remain in the Niger Delta states despite this advisory, be extremely vigilant at all times
• If travelling for business, ensure that meetings are held at a secure location and that your contact is known to you
• Seek the advice of local authorities when planning trips and leave a detailed itinerary with family or friends

Calabar and Lagos

Exercise a high degree of caution in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, where the security situation is more stable and facilities are relatively well developed compared to the rest of the country. Avoid non-essential travel to the rest of Cross River State, including the outskirts of Calabar, where seven people, mostly foreigners, were kidnapped in June 2016.

Exercise a high degree of caution in the city of Lagos, specifically within the area covering Ikeja in the north down to Lagos Island, Victoria Island and Ikoyi, and from Mile Two (west end of Lagos) to Chevron Estate on the Lekki Peninsula (east end of Lagos). Avoid non-essential travel beyond this area. The level of criminality in Lagos is high and incidents of violent crime, including assaults and armed attacks, have occurred against foreign nationals and in areas frequented by foreigners. Avoid all unnecessary travel after dark.

If you decide to travel to these cities you should stay in secure, guarded accommodations and maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times.

Identification

Carry photocopies of your official identification at all times and safely store passports, visas and travel documents.

There is a high level of crime throughout Nigeria, including armed robbery, kidnapping for ransom, home invasions, carjacking and violent assault. Robberies and muggings conducted by large, well-armed groups, in places frequented by expatriates, are common. Some have been committed by persons posing as police or military personnel, particularly in the Niger Delta.

Criminal activity is high in urban areas, including the city of Lagos, as well as on the northern border with Niger and Chad.

There has been an increase in violent crime in the outer suburbs of Abuja and the Federal Capital territory since mid-2022.

Petty crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occurs, particularly in crowded places such as public markets and popular tourist sites.

• Ensure that your belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times
• Avoid walking alone and displaying any signs of affluence in public
• Avoid all unnecessary travel after dark, when crime increases
• Do not leave valuables or bags unattended
• Use caution when travelling to and from banks
• Be particularly discreet when using ATM’s, as criminals could follow you to rob you
• Should you visit a beach, particularly Lekki and Bar beaches on Victoria Island do so only during daylight and in large groups
• Be wary of tourist excursions. Sign up with a reputable tour company

Kidnappings of foreign and Nigerian nationals occur throughout Nigeria. They are a particular threat in North, North-East and Southern Nigeria.

Since April 2019, several kidnappings have occurred. Those crimes, often perpetrated by small groups of armed individuals, are indiscriminate. Residents and foreigners alike have been abducted and held captive, sometimes for days, until ransom was paid. Deaths have also been reported.

Throughout the Niger Delta states, numerous Westerners, mainly oil and gas facility workers, have been abducted, and, in some cases, killed. Remain especially vigilant in:

• Warri, Delta state
• in Port Harcourt, Rivers state
• the states of Abia, Anambra and Imo

Kidnappings for ransom targeting Westerners have increased in the affluent areas of Lagos and the surrounding states of Ogun, Osun and Ondo.

Terrorism threat in Abuja

There is an increased threat of terrorist attacks in Abuja.

Nigerian authorities are conducting counter-terrorism operations in forested areas in and around Abuja, and in the Federal Capital territory.

• Be extremely vigilant
• Limit your movements
• Avoid walking and hiking forested areas
• Exercise caution and keep a low profile
• Monitor local media to stay informed on the evolving situation
• Follow the instructions of local authorities

There is a threat of terrorism throughout Nigeria, particularly in the northern and northeastern areas of the country. Attacks have been conducted across the country, including in Abuja. Numerous attacks on individuals, groups and security forces have occurred since 2018. Further attacks are likely.

Targets could include:

• government buildings, including schools
• places of worship
• airports and other transportation hubs and networks
• public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners

Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places.

Be particularly vigilant if attending sporting events and during religious holidays and other public celebrations, as terrorists have used such occasions to mount attack.

Checkpoints

Police checkpoints are very frequent on roads throughout the country. Law- enforcement officers and gangs often use aggressive methods to extort bribes. This is a recurring security problem, especially along Nigeria’s borders. If you need assistance, you may contact the High Commission of Canada in Abuja or the Deputy High Commission in Lagos.

Nigerian authorities impose curfews as a means to restoring order after violence erupts in volatile areas. Curfews are currently in effect for parts of Maiduguri, Adamawa State, Borno State and Yobe State. Curfews and restrictions on the movement of vehicles, can be imposed, amended and lifted at short notice throughout Nigeria.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations occur frequently especially in central Abuja and in other major cities. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Road safety

Road conditions and road safety are poor throughout the country. Drivers often drive at excessive speeds, and accidents are common. Visibility is poor due to lack of adequate lighting.

Rental cars are available in Nigeria, but you should avoid them. Major hotels and the customer service centres at the airports in Abuja, Kano and Lagos offer reliable car-hire services complete with drivers.

Be extremely cautious when travelling to and from the airport. All arrangements should be made prior to your arrival in Nigeria.

• Arrange to arrive at the airport during the day and be met there by reliable contacts
• If transportation is not arranged by hosts or the hotel, hire cars and drivers from reputable security providers
• When arranging to hire a car and driver, be sure to agree on a price and all details before accepting

Incidents of armed carjacking occur along main roads throughout the country, however they are of particular concern on:

• the roads leading to international and domestic airport
• on main highways between state capitals
• in main cities, including Lagos and Abuja

Many strategies are used to stop cars on the road, such as nails being scattered on the road or individuals, including pregnant women, pretending to be injured.

Do not drive at night, especially outside of major cities, due to the increased likelihood of armed banditry and kidnapping. Criminals often target travellers along major transit routes such as the Abuja - Kaduna highway.

Keep windows closed and doors locked at all times.

Credit card and ATM fraud occurs. Be cautious when using debit or credit cards:

• pay careful attention when your cards are being handled by others
• use ATMs located in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or business
• avoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual feature
• cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN
• check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements

Overseas fraud

Fuel shortages

The country experiences regular fuel shortages.

• Monitor local media for indicators of the circumstances that precede fuel shortages
• Ensure that you have adequate supplies on hand

Public transportation

You should not use public transportation due to the risk of petty theft and armed attacks.

It has occurred that thieves hide in the trunk and emerge through the back seat once the taxi is in motion and rob the passenger.

• Exercise caution when using taxis
• If you must use a taxi, verify that you are the only one in the vehicle
• Motorbike taxis, known in Nigeria as “okadas,” are dangerous. In several cities, okada drivers and passengers are required to wear helmets

There have been several incidents of armed robbery at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. Some of these cases have resulted in death.

• Confirm your transportation arrangements prior to your arrival
• Be wary of criminals posing as greeters at the airport

During the dry season, the Harmattan wind leads to high amounts of sand and dust in the air. Air travel within Nigeria can sometimes be restricted due to limited visibility. Occasionally, flights must be rerouted from their original destinations.

Coastal waters can be dangerous. Riptides are common. Several drownings occur each year. Follow the instructions and warnings of local authorities.

Water safety abroad

Piracy is an ongoing threat in the Niger Delta states. Pirate attacks, armed robbery against ships, ship hijackings, kidnappings and hostage takings occur in coastal waters in the Gulf of Guinea. Mariners should take appropriate precautions. If you are on land, avoid shoreline areas at all times.

Insurgents in speedboats and equipped with high-calibre weapons pose a risk.

Live piracy report  - International Maritime Bureau

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides 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 the Nigerian authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

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, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

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

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

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

The duration of stay indicated on the visa issued by Nigerian authorities and the duration of stay permitted indicated on the entry stamp issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service on arrival in the country might differ. Be sure to check the dates indicated on the entry stamp immediately after issuance. The dates might be hand-written by the issuing immigration officer or embedded in the stamp. If hard to read, ask for clarification from the immigration officer at the port of entry or a Nigeria Immigration Service office.

Nigeria Immigration Service  

The borders with Niger, Chad and Cameroon could be closed on short notice.

The land border crossing linking Seme Border to Sèmè-Kpodji in Benin is only open between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Health screening

You may be subject to a quick thermal scanner screening at the airports upon boarding or disembarking a plane.

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children .

Yellow fever

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

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• Polio: Advice for travellers - 17 April, 2024
• Zika virus: Advice for travellers - 31 August, 2023
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024
• Diphtheria: Advice for travellers - 8 April, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Yellow fever   is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is a risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

• Proof of vaccination is required if you are coming from or have transited through an airport of a country   where yellow fever occurs . 

Recommendation

• Vaccination is recommended.
• Contact a designated   Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre   well in advance of your trip to arrange for vaccination.
• Discuss travel plans, activities, and destinations with a health care professional.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites .

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada

* It is important to note that  country entry requirements  may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest  diplomatic or consular office  of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise  safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

This destination is in the African Meningitis Belt, an area which has the highest rates of meningococcal disease in the world. Meningococcal disease is a serious and sometimes fatal infection. 

Travellers who are at higher risk should discuss vaccination with a health care provider. High-risk travellers include those living or working with the local population (e.g., health care workers) or those travelling to crowded areas or taking part in large gatherings.

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease that is caused by parasites spread through the bites of mosquitoes.

Malaria is a risk to travellers to this destination.   Antimalarial medication is recommended for most travellers to this destination and should be taken as recommended. Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic before travelling to discuss your options. It is recommended to do this 6 weeks before travel, however, it is still a good idea any time before leaving.    Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times: 

• Cover your skin and use an approved insect repellent on uncovered skin.
• Exclude mosquitoes from your living area with screening and/or closed, well-sealed doors and windows.
• Use insecticide-treated bed nets if mosquitoes cannot be excluded from your living area.
• Wear permethrin-treated clothing. 

 If you develop symptoms similar to malaria when you are travelling or up to a year after you return home, see a health care professional immediately. Tell them where you have been travelling or living. 

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

In this destination, rabies is commonly carried by dogs and some wildlife, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. While travelling, take precautions , including keeping your distance from animals (including free-roaming dogs), and closely supervising children.

If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. In this destination, rabies treatment may be limited or may not be available, therefore you may need to return to Canada for treatment.  

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who are at high risk of exposure (e.g., occupational risk such as veterinarians and wildlife workers, children, adventure travellers and spelunkers, and others in close contact with animals). 

Polio (poliomyelitis) is an infectious disease that can be prevented by vaccination. It is caused by poliovirus type 1, 2 or 3. Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus 2 (cVDPV2) is present in this country. Polio is spread from person to person and through contaminated food and water. Infection with the polio virus can cause paralysis and death in individuals of any age who are not immune.

Recommendations:

• Be sure that your polio vaccinations are up to date before travelling. Polio is part of the routine vaccine schedule for children in Canada.
• One booster dose of the polio vaccine is recommended as an adult .

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Cholera is a risk in parts of this country. Most travellers are at very low risk.

To protect against cholera, all travellers should practise safe food and water precautions .

Travellers at higher risk of getting cholera include those:

• visiting, working or living in areas with limited access to safe food, water and proper sanitation
• visiting areas where outbreaks are occurring

Vaccination may be recommended for high-risk travellers, and should be discussed with a health care professional.

Travellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.

The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Typhoid   is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time.

Travellers visiting regions with a risk of typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation, should speak to a health care professional about vaccination.  

There is a risk of schistosomiasis in this destination. Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by tiny worms (blood flukes) which can be found in freshwater (lakes, rivers, ponds, and wetlands). The worms can break the skin, and their eggs can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, flu-like symptoms, or urinary problems. Schistosomiasis mostly affects underdeveloped and r ural communities, particularly agricultural and fishing communities.

Most travellers are at low risk. Travellers should avoid contact with untreated freshwater such as lakes, rivers, and ponds (e.g., swimming, bathing, wading, ingesting). There is no vaccine or medication available to prevent infection.

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

There is a risk of chikungunya in this country.  The risk may vary between regions of a country.  Chikungunya is a virus spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Chikungunya can cause a viral disease that typically causes fever and pain in the joints. In some cases, the joint pain can be severe and last for months or years.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times. There is no vaccine available for chikungunya.

• In this country, risk of  dengue  is sporadic. It is a viral disease spread to humans by mosquito bites.
• Dengue can cause flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it can lead to severe dengue, which can be fatal.
• The level of risk of dengue changes seasonally, and varies from year to year. The level of risk also varies between regions in a country and can depend on the elevation in the region.
• Mosquitoes carrying dengue typically bite during the daytime, particularly around sunrise and sunset.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites . There is no vaccine or medication that protects against dengue fever.

Lymphatic filariasis , also known as elephantiasis, is caused by filariae (tiny worms) spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. It can cause a range of illnesses. Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from mosquito bites. There is no vaccine available for lymphatic filariasis although drug treatments exist.

Onchocerciasis (river blindness)   is an eye and skin disease caused by a parasite spread through the bite of an infected female blackfly.  Onchocerciasis often leads to blindness if left untreated. Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from blackfly bites, which are most common close to fast-flowing rivers and streams. There is no vaccine available for onchocerciasis although drug treatments exist.

Zika virus is a risk in this country. 

Zika virus is primarily spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. It can also be sexually transmitted. Zika virus can cause serious birth defects.

During your trip:

• Prevent mosquito bites at all times.
• Use condoms correctly or avoid sexual contact, particularly if you are pregnant.

If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you should discuss the potential risks of travelling to this destination with your health care provider. You may choose to avoid or postpone travel. 

For more information, see Zika virus: Pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Human cases of avian influenza have been reported in this destination. Avian influenza   is a viral infection that can spread quickly and easily among birds and in rare cases it can infect mammals, including people. The risk is low for most travellers.

Avoid contact with birds, including wild, farm, and backyard birds (alive or dead) and surfaces that may have bird droppings on them. Ensure all poultry dishes, including eggs and wild game, are properly cooked.

Travellers with a higher risk of exposure include those: 

• visiting live bird/animal markets or poultry farms
• working with poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, domestic ducks)
• hunting, de-feathering, field dressing and butchering wild birds and wild mammals
• working with wild birds for activities such as research, conservation, or rehabilitation
• working with wild mammals, especially those that eat wild birds (e.g., foxes)

All eligible people are encouraged to get the seasonal influenza shot, which will protect them against human influenza viruses. While the seasonal influenza shot does not prevent infection with avian influenza, it can reduce the chance of getting sick with human and avian influenza viruses at the same time.

Mpox (monkeypox)   is a risk in this country. It is a viral disease that can cause serious illness in some circumstances. Risk is generally low for most travellers.

Mpox spreads in 3 ways:

• from animals to humans through direct contact or by eating or preparing undercooked meat of infected animals or coming into contact with an infected animal's body fluids
• from person to person through close contact, including direct contact with the skin lesions, blood, body fluids, or mucosal surfaces (such as eyes, mouth, throat, genitalia, anus, or rectum) of an infected person
• through direct contact with contaminated objects such as bedding and towels, or by sharing personal objects used by an infected person

Follow recommended public health measures   and avoid contact with animals such as rodents and primates to help prevent getting or spreading the infection.

Lassa fever is a risk in this country.

Lassa fever is caused by a virus carried by rodents. Humans get sick when they inhale or come into close contact with feces, saliva, or urine of infected rodents or the blood or bodily fluids of infected humans.

Lassa virus can be very serious. Avoid rodents and rodent-infested areas.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Tuberculosis is an infection caused by bacteria and usually affects the lungs.

For most travellers the risk of tuberculosis is low.

Travellers who may be at high risk while travelling in regions with risk of tuberculosis should discuss pre- and post-travel options with a health care professional.

High-risk travellers include those visiting or working in prisons, refugee camps, homeless shelters, or hospitals, or travellers visiting friends and relatives.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)   is a virus that attacks and impairs the immune system, resulting in a chronic, progressive illness known as AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). 

High risk activities include anything which puts you in contact with blood or body fluids, such as unprotected sex and exposure to unsterilized needles for medications or other substances (for example, steroids and drugs), tattooing, body-piercing or acupuncture.

Medical services and facilities

Good health care is limited in availability. Quality of care varies greatly throughout the country.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Islamic practices and beliefs are closely adhered to in Nigeria’s customs, laws and regulations. Sharia has been adopted in 12 northern states:

The Sharia penal code may be applicable to non-Muslims in some parts of the country. Transgressions could be punished by detention or other penalties.

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect lengthy prison sentences and heavy fines.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

In 2025, the lunar month of Ramadan is expected to begin on or around February 28.

In public, between sunrise and sunset, be discreet when:

Dress and behaviour

To avoid offending local sensitivities:

• dress conservatively. In the north, women are advised to keep their legs covered and travel with a scarf that can be used to cover their head and arms when required
• behave discreetly
• respect religious and social traditions

2SLGBTQI+ travellers

Nigerian criminal law prohibits consensual sexual relations between individuals of the same sex. Additionally, the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act provides for lengthy jail sentences for offences related to entering into same-sex marriages or civil unions, display of same-sex amorous relationships, and participating in 2SLGBTQI+ organisations. In certain Northern states where Sharia Law is in effect, penalties can include the death sentence.

Discrimination, violence and harassment against 2SLGBTQI+ individuals are frequently reported.

2SLGBTQI+ travellers should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Nigeria.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Nigeria.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Nigeria, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements .

Travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. It does not apply between Canada and Nigeria.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Nigeria by an abducting parent:

• act as quickly as you can
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Nigeria to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre.

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

It is illegal to import:

• beer, mineral water, soft drinks or sparkling wine
• fruits, vegetables, cereals or eggs
• fabrics, including mosquito netting
• jewellery and precious metals

It is illegal to export pieces of African art, particularly antiques, without written authorization from the Department of Antiquities. Contact the High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Ottawa for specific information regarding customs requirements.

Photography

Photography of airports, government buildings and military installations is prohibited.

In Abuja, smoking is banned in public places.

An International Driving Permit or a Canadian Driver’s permit can be used for 2 months. After that you must obtain a Nigerian driving permit.

International Driving Permit

new_bank_notes

New bank notes

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has redesigned and issued new Naira notes. Old Naira notes will remain legal tender until December 31, 2023.

The currency is the naira (NGN). U.S. dollars are widely accepted. The economy of Nigeria is cash-based. Credit cards are accepted at some major hotels in Abuja and Lagos; however, you are strongly advised against the use of credit cards and debit cards, due to the high potential for fraud and other criminal activity. The exportation of naira is limited by law to certain amounts.

The rainy season extends from May to October. During this period, rainfall is abundant and may result in localized flash flooding. Seasonal flooding can hamper overland travel and reduce the provision of essential services. Roads may become impassable and bridges damaged.

• Keep informed of regional weather forecasts
• Avoid the affected areas

In the summer, central and northern Nigeria periodically experience heat waves. During the dry season, from November to April, harmattan winds bring sand and dust from the Sahara desert.

Local services

Ambulance - 112 or 199

Fire - 112 or 199

Police - 112 or 199

Research and carry contact information for local police and medical facilities.

Consular assistance

The High Commission of Canada in Nigeria, in Abuja, is open to the public.

Equatorial Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

• Introducing Nigeria
• Destination highlights

The highlight of travelling in Nigeria is meeting these culturally rich people; practically any person in any corner of Nigeria will offer a moment of their time to say ‘Welcome’. Lizzie Williams , author of Nigeria: the Bradt Guide

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is often dominated by impressions of Lagos, a chaotic and traffic-heavy city. Yet look deeper within and beyond this metropolis and you’ll discover a vibrant country of generous people, ancient cultures and an impressive natural heritage. From roadblocks where policemen wear bandanas and mirrored sunglasses, to ladies going to church in the most beautiful dresses you’ve ever seen; from plane-loads of wealthy Nigerians going to Dubai on shopping trips, to people so poor they resort to eating rats and maggots; from black-magic markets full of weird charms, to more cell phones than perhaps anywhere else in the world.

In the waterlogged south of the country are deltas and lagoons where people’s lives haven’t changed for hundreds of years, and in the north are ancient kingdoms and walled cities, even today ruled by sultans and emirs. Love it or hate it, Lagos does have to be seen to be believed and nowhere on earth will you experience such mind-boggling, vibrant chaos as in this mass of humanity; explore the colonial town of Calabar and the primate sanctuaries of the Cross River forests; walk through the mysterious Oshogbo Sacred Forest of Yorubaland, a World Heritage Site; relax in Yankari National Park’s startlingly beautiful Wiki Warm Spring;  journey to ancient Islamic cities such as Kano to experience the centuries-old Kurmi Market – and you’ll see there’s much more to Nigeria than its headline notoriety.

Food and drink in Nigeria

Although typical of what is found throughout west Africa, traditional Nigerian food is more diverse because of the number of ethnic groups in the country. It differs between the south and north depending on what food products are available.

As a general rule of thumb, Nigerians are fond of some kind of starchy staple accompanied by an (often spicy) soup – this is actually more like a sauce or relish and is not runny like a soup. They use a lot of palm oil, a reddish coloured oil made from ground palm kernels, and a lot of chillies ground into a red powder (known in Nigeria simply as pepper). The starches include pounded yam, which is boiled yams literally pounded in a giant mortar until the consistency is light and fluffy; it looks a bit like mashed potato.

Others are eba or garri , porridges made from pounded cassava; amala , ground yam peels, which are boiled into a stiff paste and have a darker brown colour; and semovita , made from maize flour, another mashed-potato-looking concoction and similar to mealie meal or pap eaten all over eastern and southern Africa. Most of these starch-based staples have little taste and are very bland, and some have a fairly slimy texture, but they are cheap and filling and soak up the flavour of the sauce that comes with them. Alternatively you can opt for rice, which is served plain or cooked with peppers and palm oil; the latter is called jollof rice , which is bright orange, fairly hot and very tasty.

Most of the soups are made with lots of palm oil and some meat-based stock, and a few pieces of your chosen meat are plonked on top. Nigeria is renowned for its fiery obe ata (pepper soup), which effectively is the country’s national dish; it’s a thick sauce made by boiling tomatoes, ground pepper, meat or fish broth, onions, palm oil and other spices. A Nigerian must-do is to try dried fish, beef or chicken pepper soup with your choice of starch and be prepared for your eyeballs to melt and your nose to explode, though you may choose to pass on the hugely popular isiewu (goat’s head pepper soup) – every part of the goat’s head is swimming around in it.

Other soups include the tasty egusi soup , made from ground melon seeds and bitter leaf (a sort of spinach); okra soup , made from okra, also known as ladies’ fingers; draw soup , made from palm nuts, which is horribly slimy and viciously hot and is so called because the spices are ‘drawn’ out; and groundnut soup , which is made from peanuts and lends a slight satay flavour to the sauce.

You can add additional meat to these meals, which usually consists of a few pieces of very tough beef or goat, cooked dried fish with its head still intact, or a piece of chicken; the last ranges from delicious KFC-styled fried chicken to a piece of bone with hardly any flesh on that has been boiled dry. It’s worth remembering that you’ll get very good or very bad versions of these meals; there is often no way of telling which it’s going to be. Nevertheless, if you’re lucky you’ll get a big plate of steaming starch, tasty soup and tender meat. If there’s also dodo on the menu add this – it’s a delicious dish of fried plantains.

Fish, meat, vegetables

Because of the prevalence of tsetse fly, cattle are scarce in the coastal regions, so consequently more fish are eaten in the south, while meat is more popular in the north. Look out for suya , which is delicious barbecued beef on sticks, though you can also get offal and goat suya , and kilishi , spiced dried meat that is very thinly sliced and dried outside in the sun. You’ll often see bushmeat on the menu, which is considered a delicacy. Sometimes it’s antelope that’s unfortunately been poached out of the countryside, but more often than not it’s grasscutters (cane rats) or giant rubbery snails called igbin.

Vegetables such as onions, tomatoes, bitter leaf and yam are plentiful throughout Nigeria, though more exotic vegetables can be found in Lagos and the markets of the bigger cities. Outside Lagos we only really saw potatoes (and chips) on the menu in the north. Strangely given the dry climate, we also found more salads in the north, and they were surprisingly delicious, with lettuce, onions and tomatoes, a spattering of tinned baked beans, hard-boiled eggs and a big dollop of mayonnaise.

Fruit is plentiful and bananas, mangos and slices of fresh pineapple, or even coconut, are often seen on the side of the road, as are imported apples and sometimes pears from South Africa. Dairy products are scarce and you are unlikely to see cheese apart from in the posh restaurants on Victoria Island, though tinned condensed milk, milk powder and canned margarine are available. One brand of margarine that’s popular is Blue Band, about which one reader said, ‘I didn’t entirely trust a food product that doesn’t go off when kept in a warm cupboard for a year. My suspicion is that Blue Band is actually a form of spreadable plastic.’

Vegetarian food

Nigerians are largely meat eaters, and there are very few specific vegetarian dishes on restaurant menus. However, there are some exceptions. In the southeastern regions where meat is rare, beans are used to supplement protein in soups, and throughout the country moin-moin , or bean cakes with a slightly gelatinous texture about them, are popular snacks and are usually wrapped up in banana leaves. Vegetarians must be aware that while most soups are made with palm oil and vegetables (with the selected piece of meat added afterwards), the stock is often still meat-based, so ensure you ask first. This is even the case of efo , a wholly vegetable soup, which sometimes also has a meat-based gravy.

Starting with the obvious, international branded soft drinks such as Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite and Schweppes lemon are available everywhere, from roadside stalls to buckets on top of people’s heads, and in all the country’s restaurants and bars. They’re not always cold so check first before handing over the N50 or so it costs for a 350ml bottle – you give the bottle back as soon as you have finished. Occasionally you’ll see disposable cans but these are quadruple the price of a bottle.

There are several brands of locally produced and hugely popular malt drinks in brown bottles; one such drink is brewed by Guinness, and is served very cold. It tastes like a thick, non-alcoholic Guinness. They’re advertised as being very good for you and it’s common to see a couple in a bar with the man drinking a beer and a woman drinking a malt drink.

A drink called Chapmans is hard to find except in the more upmarket restaurants, and is expensive at about N250 for a glass, but is very refreshing; it’s a deep red berry colour and tastes a bit like a non-alcoholic Pimm’s and is made with a good dose of Angostura bitters and either tonic or lemonade with ice and a slice – like lemon or lime bitters. At most motor parks you’ll see men trundling around on bicycles selling chilled, flavoured yoghurt drinks. These taste nice, but I’d give them a wide berth as, despite them being served out of cooler boxes, you have no idea how many times they’ve warmed up in the sun. You’re better off buying these from a supermarket.

Lipton tea bags are readily available, as are small tins of condensed milk, small packets of milk powder and small tins of Nescafé. When ordering tea and coffee in a restaurant, this is what you get, and it invariably comes with bread. If you are unable to speak to anyone in the morning before a caffeine fix, I suggest you bring one of those electric elements you heat water with and a plastic or Thermos mug, as all the ingredients are available in Nigeria.

In a hotel, you may wait for an hour before a simple cup of tea emerges from the hotel kitchen. All over Nigeria in the mornings, on the side of the road and in the motor parks, you’ll see tea-and-bread sellers who serve huge plastic mugs of tea and a hunk of bread, but as they boil the sugar in the water, the tea is exceptionally sweet.

Bottled water is available, though sporadically, so try and buy it when you see it. Expect to pay around N100 for a half-litre bottle. Much more common and sold literally everywhere are half-litre plastic packets of what is known as pure water . Not everyone trusts the purity of pure water and it’s generally believed to be tap water, neatly packaged by pure water packaging machines that are freely advertised in the newspapers for anyone to buy and set up their own pure water business. (One Lebanese businessman I spoke to told me that this is exactly what happens.) Always presume that you are drinking ordinary tap water and not any kind of special mineral water. For this reason I would probably avoid them in Lagos and the bigger cities, where tap water is more likely to be contaminated. One pure water brand I saw in Sokoto was called ‘Acceptable Water’, which says it all.

Except in the northern cities, you won’t have a problem finding alcohol, and there are many excellent brands of locally brewed beer, which are sold in big half-litre re-usable bottles for about N150. The most popular are Star and Gulder; the former has the lighter taste. Big bottles of Guinness are hugely popular, but it’s not served in quite the same way as it is in the emerald isle; you’ll get it very cold and, quite bizarrely, it usually comes with a straw.

It’s brewed to a recipe that keeps the tropical heat from spoiling it, so it’s more strong and bitter than the Irish original. You’ll need to ask for a glass. As Nigerian Breweries is under licence to the Heineken label, you’ll sometimes see cans of Heineken but, as it comes in cans and not re-usable bottles, they are more expensive at around N400–500.

Local drinks include emu , or palm wine, the favourite drink in southern Nigeria, which is a natural sweet, frothy juice with a foul smell. It has to be drunk fresh and is potently alcoholic, and gets more so as the day wears on; administer with care. The distilled version of palm wine is ogogoro , a strong local gin, but it’s very discreetly sold. You’ll sometimes see Gordon’s Spark, which is a Nigerian version of an alcopop made with gin. Imported spirits and wines are expensive and can only be found in upmarket restaurants and hotels, and the few supermarkets dealing in imported goods, and are very rarely seen outside Lagos, Abuja or Port Harcourt.

Health and safety in Nigeria

Nigeria’s poor infrastructure, colossal population, poverty, terrible roads and high crime rate combine to create what can only be described as not a very healthy or safe place to visit. Travelling in tropical Africa exposes us to diseases caused by parasites, bacteria and viruses, some so bizarre we may never have heard of them before. Illnesses are passed around in food and water, or by insects and bugs, and can even be contracted from passing an infected person on the street. Added to this is the high crime rate and manic, highly publicised congestion on the roads.

However, remember that with the right precautions and a sensible attitude, the following events or illnesses are unlikely to trouble you. Getting fully acquainted with them in the first place, and knowing what to do if something goes wrong when you get there, can minimise all Nigeria’s health and safety risks. Prevention is the best way to stay healthy and safe. To put things in perspective, after malaria, which can be prevented by taking the right precautions, the biggest danger for a traveller in Nigeria is being involved in a road accident

Immunisations

Immunisation against yellow fever is essential and proof may be required on entry, and always if you are coming from another yellow fever infected area. There is a real risk of contracting yellow fever so the vaccine would be recommended unless there is a contraindication against having this live vaccine. Most travel clinic experts would then advise against travelling, as the risk of disease is high. Cholera is a risk in high-density urban areas, so if you have time then consider having the oral cholera vaccine (Dukoral), now available in the UK, especially if you have any underlying medical condition or are planning to work in unsanitary conditions.

This palatable berry-flavoured drink is said to offer about 75% protection against the more common strains of cholera. For adults and children six years and over, two doses are needed, taken at least one week but no more than six weeks apart. Ideally the second dose should be taken at least one week before entering an infected area. Two doses of vaccine will provide cover for two years. For children aged two to five, three doses are needed for the same efficacy, but protection lasts only for six months.

Typhoid and hepatitis A and B are present in Nigeria and immunisations are highly recommended. Meningitis and rabies immunisations should also be seriously considered. Routine immunisations, such as for tetanus, diphtheria and polio, should be reviewed and updated. If you do decide to have an armful of jabs, start organising them at least six weeks before departure, and remember that a yellow fever certificate becomes valid only ten days after you’ve had the vaccination.

Travel clinics and health information

A full list of current travel clinic websites worldwide is available on www.istm.org . For other journey preparation information, consult www.travelhealthpro.org.uk  (UK) or http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/ (US). Information about various medications may be found on www.netdoctor.co.uk/travel . All advice found online should be used in conjunction with expert advice received prior to or during travel.

Road accidents

Bugs, bowel movements and tropical diseases aside, your safety during any trip to Nigeria is most likely to be endangered by getting around by road. Traffic everywhere, and most infamously in Lagos, is one big aggressive snarl-up. The city roads are choked and congested beyond belief, while the highways and expressways between the cities are poorly maintained, and used by manic drivers who have no respect for oncoming traffic.

Road accidents are common, as attested to by the millions of battered vehicles in the country, and by the thousands of mangled buses and cars on the sides of the road. If you are travelling around in a chauffeur-driven car, by overland vehicle or by overcrowded public transport, always exercise caution on the roads. Always be aware of your driver’s road sense as soon as you get in a vehicle – which you should be able to judge pretty quickly. If you are very uncomfortable with his method of driving then stop him, get out of the vehicle and find an alternative one.

Always avoid driving, or being driven, after dark. There are very few street lights, many vehicles do not have headlights, and there’s the added problem of pedestrians and domestic animals on the road. Additionally, though there are countless police roadblocks during the day, there are far fewer at night on the roads and this is when armed robberies of vehicles tend to take place. If you are taking public transport over quite some distance, set off early in the day as you will inevitably have to wait for some time in the motor park for a vehicle that goes-when-full, and you will want to ensure that you reach your destination before dark. I would also not advise you to travel on the so-called ‘luxury’ buses simply because they nearly always travel at night.

Crime and corruption

Nigeria has a reputation for crime and corruption and has more than its fair share of challenges to safety and security – it is advisable always to be security conscious. Things do happen – armed robberies and carjackings are prevalent in Lagos and there is a threat of mugging. More disturbing are the huge numbers of guns in private possession and in the police and armed forces; all are susceptible to bribery and corruption, and thus could provide arms to civilians at the right price. There have also been incidents when the police themselves have been the perpetrators of crime.

Some of the more outlandish crime that occurs in Nigeria is piracy, or armed robbery on ships anchored in Nigerian waters, or the illegal ‘bunkering’ of oil onto ships belonging to other nationalities. It’s also not uncommon for gangs to hijack oilrigs off the coast to extort money from the oil companies. Also be aware that there have been many recent incidents of hostage-taking for ransom, particularly in the Niger Delta, because of local community problems with the oil companies. People working in Nigeria for these companies should be especially vigilant and follow their employer’s security guidelines.

Although it doesn’t produce any drugs of its own, Nigeria is known as a major drug-trafficking country for Asian heroin smuggled to Europe and the USA, and for South American cocaine trafficked to Europe. Nigerian drug organisations are also heavily involved in other criminal activities such as document fabrication, illegal immigration and financial fraud. But Nigerians in Nigeria are generally not drug users.

I live in Cape Town and at the end of my road is a large Nigerian community (a reported one million Nigerians live in South Africa, and three million in the USA, with other large communities in Europe and elsewhere in the world). Some of Cape Town’s Nigerian community, as well as many Capetonians, sell drugs on the street for a living. We never once got offered drugs on the street by a Nigerian in Nigeria.

Many Nigerians complain that the illegal activities of the offending minority have damaged the whole nation’s image. It was also explained to me that most of Nigeria’s criminals were not in Nigeria at all, and made up the huge populations of Nigerians living overseas. These were the people who were capable of forging, stealing or bribing to get passports and visas, and, as illegal immigrants in other countries, resorting to criminal activity to make a living. Despite all this, Nigeria’s awful reputation for crime is largely exaggerated, especially outside Lagos where you will rarely feel threatened or be a victim of crime. Even in Lagos, long-term visitors may never see an ‘Area Boy’ (hoodlum, thief) or someone out of uniform carrying a gun. But always remember that there is a criminal element in Nigeria and keep up your guard.

Petty theft

The culture of cheating is alive and kicking in Nigeria and you are more likely to be cheated out of something than having it simply stolen off you. This was one of the biggest surprises I had in Nigeria. As a seasoned traveller in eastern and southern Africa, where you guard your bags and possessions fiercely, I didn’t feel the need to do this so attentively in Nigeria. Not once did we have anything stolen out of a hotel room, and after the first few outings on public transport when we crouched over our bags jealously, we would quite willingly throw them into the open back of a vehicle surrounded by hundreds of people and go for a wander around a motor park while waiting for the vehicle to go-when-full.

Political risks

There is no doubt that political and religious tensions in Nigeria are high, and there has been a catalogue of riots and violent incidents since the country gained independence in 1960. There is no real science of assessing political risk, though it’s a good idea to check your nationality’s foreign office advice before you leave home and keep a close eye on Nigerian news. Outbreaks of localised civil unrest and violence can occur all over Nigeria without warning. If something does occur while you are in Nigeria, it is unlikely that a traveller will be targeted or involved, and most violent eruptions are based on local ethnic or religious spats.

Potential trouble spots are in the northern cities, and in the Niger Delta where the local communities resent the presence of the multi-national oil companies. Here is the one place where foreigners could be specifically targeted if they are identified (mistakenly or not) as oil employees and at the time of writing the region was pretty much off-limits to foreigners because of a continual spate of kidnappings.

Female travellers

Nigerian women all over the country travel on their own, be it on long journeys by bus or for a short hop on the back of an okada . Every time I jumped on the back of an okada , however, everyone stopped and stared incredulously. But the attention you get stops there, and you will soon get used to having a million pairs of eyes on you. The most prevalent attitude you are going to meet is complete bemusement. Nigerian society is conducted on the street and Nigerians are by character great socialisers and talkers, and they’ll often approach you for a chat.

Almost all of the time it is just out of inquisitiveness and simply just to say ‘Welcome’. Not once did I receive any rude or suggestive comments, and (only!) once was I approached in a bar environment to ask if I wanted company – as happens anywhere in the world. The guy in question left when I declined. But remember to turn down unwanted attention very politely – pride is important for Nigerian men.

One word of advice for women travellers (at least for anyone over the age of 21!) is to say that you are married even if you’re not. This is not for any practical reason; you certainly won’t be asked if you are married to get a hotel room, even in the Muslim north. But if you are over 21 and not married, Nigerians – male and female – will not get it, and you’ll be embroiled in a lengthy and analytical conversation about why you’re not married. Believe me, it’s just easier to say you are. Although there have been occasions in Nigerian history where rape and sexual assault have been prevalent, they have only really occurred during war times when the army has used rape as a weapon against women. Other than that, sexual crime is not common in Nigerian society. Hopefully this is because it doesn’t happen rather than because it’s not being reported.

The most important thing for a woman to consider is to dress modestly, especially in the Muslim north, though despite the strict sharia code, Western women are not expected to cover their hair. This is because many Christians live in the northern cities and wear what they like, though as a visitor it’s always sensible to respect the local customs.

There are other Islamic considerations to take into account: women are generally not welcome at mosques, particularly at prayer times, and as prayers often happen outside mosques or in open prayer compounds at the side of the road or in markets, it is a good idea not to get too close, and under no circumstances should you stop and stare. In the northern cities, my male fellow traveller went to the main Friday prayers to see several thousand men praying in and around the main mosque. It wasn’t appropriate for me to go and he says that all the women in the area simply melted away during prayer time.

Travellers with a disability

Nigeria, like many other African countries, does not cater for the needs of disabled travellers – or even those of its own disabled population. Unfortunately, few establishments, except perhaps the international hotels in larger cities (about three or four at most), have made any considerations for wheelchair users. Even an able-bodied person would have difficulty finding any space at all on public transport, never mind an actual seat, and getting around the congested streets is virtually impossible.

LGBTQ+ travellers

In early 2007, the national assembly deemed homosexual activity illegal in Nigeria. It’s now punishable by up to five years in prison in the south and, under sharia law in the north, possibly by death.

Travel and visas in Nigeria

A passport (valid for at least six months and preferably with several blank pages) and a Nigerian visa are required for entry into the country. Visa exemptions are granted only to citizens of some of Nigeria’s neighbouring west African countries. Nigerian embassies or consulates are located in the capitals of most European, North American and African countries together with Hong Kong, Tokyo and Canberra.

Some countries may have several visa offices (for example Washington, New York and San Francisco in the USA). British consulates often represent Nigerian overseas missions if there is no Nigerian embassy in the country. The two visas visitors are likely to apply for are the short-term tourist visa, valid for a stay of not more than one month (though they are generally extendible to a maximum of three months in-country), or, for those going to work, a business visa, issued to expatriate ‘experts’ to work on specific projects, which is initially valid for three months but can be extended for up to a maximum of six months (if the expat stays long term it can be changed into a long-term residency visa).

When applying for a tourist visa, you need to produce (along with your passport) your return airline ticket, evidence of funds that you will spend in Nigeria (bank or credit card statements), one passport picture, evidence of a hotel booking or a letter from friends or family in Nigeria, a return or onward air ticket if flying on, and the non-refundable fee. The amount differs greatly depending on nationality, but at the time of writing it was US$144 for UK citizens and US$112 for US citizens and it also varies among the issuing authorities.

In most countries you are required to attend the embassy or high commission in person as part of the application for a visa. You also now need to make your application and visa fee payment online to the Nigerian Immigration Service ( www.immigration.gov.ng ) prior to going to the embassy. You will need to take both your printed online application and payment confirmation page as this has your unique ID number. Applications will only be processed with these documents. For business visas you will also need to produce a supporting letter from your employer stating the nature of your business and guaranteeing sufficient financial support for the visit, or alternatively have an invitation letter from the business you are dealing with in Nigeria.

For both visas, some embassies may also require to see your return airline ticket. Generally, visa turnaround is three to seven days but in many countries there’s now an express 24-hour service for an additional fee.

Once you have a visa, ensure that you make a photocopy of it and the passport page with your photograph on it. Some travellers choose to scan and store them at their email address so you can always access your documentation and print it out. For security reasons it is advisable to detail all your important information on one document, photocopy it, leave a copy with family or friends at home and distribute copies through your luggage.

Details might include things like passport and visa number, travel insurance policy details, a 24-hour emergency contact number, and details of relatives or friends to be contacted in case of an emergency. Other guidebooks recommend that you also put credit card details and travellers’ cheque numbers on this document, but this is not the case for Nigeria – not because you aren’t going to be able to use either travellers’ cheques or credit cards anyway, but because of the prevalence of fraud.

Getting there and away

Nigeria’s international airports are Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos; Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano; Port Harcourt International Airport, Port Harcourt; and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. Many international airlines operate to and from Nigeria and there are a huge number of flights – not, unfortunately, because lots of tourists are visiting the country, but because many millions of Nigerians want to live anywhere else in the world but Nigeria.

Established airlines serving Nigeria include Air France, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Egypt Air, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, South African Airways and Swiss (formerly Swissair), variously offering good connections with London, Paris and Dubai, and a number of Dutch and German cities, as well as with Addis Ababa, Nairobi and Johannesburg in east and southern Africa. From Lagos to London, it’s a six-hour flight. Most airlines fly to Lagos, but British Airways also flies to Abuja, KLM flies between Amsterdam and Abuja and Kano, and Air France flies between Paris and Port Harcourt. Travellers from North America have the option of going via Europe or Delta Air Lines offers a direct service between Atlanta and Lagos while United Airlines has just started direct flights between Houston, Washington DC and Lagos.

You can get to Nigeria by boat or ferry from Cameroon, but this trip is not for the faint-hearted and I have heard stories about both ferries and motorboats packed full of people simply disappearing. I’ve had recent feedback that ferry trips have been running smoothly with attention given to passenger numbers, but you should still be very wary of potentially overloaded vessels. Ferries arrive and depart from Calabar while motorboats go from nearby Oron in Cross River State.

The major overland route from Europe through west Africa roughly runs through Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria and Cameroon. From Cameroon it’s sometimes possible to cross into east Africa via Chad and Sudan but this route is routinely closed because of the unrest in these countries. You can do all or part of this epic journey with an overland company or in your own vehicle, though of course you will have to be fully kitted out and self-sufficient, with a 4×4 and all the gear.

For inspiration to start your own overland, check out the Africa Overland Network , who have lots of useful information and links to over 200 websites of people’s individual trips by land, bicycle and motorbike. Also pick up a copy of Bradt’s Africa Overland for lots of practical advice.

You can enter Nigeria by road from Benin, Cameroon and Niger. The easiest and quickest route is from Zinder in Niger through to Kano, then west to Maiduguri, and into Cameroon at Mora. But it’s much more interesting to continue south to Jos and then on down to Calabar via perhaps Yankari National Park. The alternative overland route is from Benin along Nigeria’s coastal highway, the fastest route between Lagos and Cameroon. When crossing into Nigeria get rid of all money from the previous country as it’s hard to change once across the border. Also fill up with diesel, as diesel is not always available everywhere in Nigeria. Once in Nigeria fill jerrycans or water tanks whenever you can, as water is also hard to get (for a small fee you can fill up from public taps). Finally, if you’re not in your own vehicle, public transport links the closest cities in the neighbouring countries with the closest cities in Nigeria, so feasibly backpackers can move about from country to country.

Getting around

There are 22 paved runways around the country and most of Nigeria’s state capitals have their own airports. Until a few years ago there used to be many more airlines, 30 or so, but following two fatal air crashes in Nigeria in 2005, the government got tougher with airline operators. The airlines were required to meet stricter standards of safety but many of them failed and their licences were revoked by the Ministry of Aviation. Unfortunately, despite this move, another fatal crash occurred in 2006, which killed the Sultan of Sokoto among many others. Nevertheless, despite this appalling aviation record, conditions in safety have improved overall lately and, to put it in perspective, it’s worth remembering that between seven and eight million Nigerians take domestic flights annually.

At the bigger airports such as Lagos and Abuja, you can just pitch up for a ticket at the airport, though in many cities some of the airlines have desks in local hotels where you can purchase a ticket. Domestic airfares vary slightly between the various airlines. Expect to pay roughly the following prices: Lagos–Abuja, US$100; Lagos–Warri, US$160; Lagos–Benin City, US$120; Lagos–Calabar, US$120; Lagos–Kano, US$160; Lagos–Sokoto, US$150; and Lagos–Enugu, US$110. There are scores of additional fares from Abuja to these destinations and between the other cities, but you can get an idea of price versus distance from the above. All domestic airlines now have websites listing full schedules. Several airlines now offer fares that are significantly cheaper if the ticket is booked and paid for in advance. Most operators offer online booking with several methods of payment, including local debit cards and cash transactions at certain banks.

Nigeria has over 3,500km of railways and the two main railways are from Lagos to Kano (via Ibadan–Oyo–Ogbombosho–Kaduna); and from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri (via Aba–Enugu–Makurdi–Jos). The railways are run by the Nigeria Railway Corporation ( nrc.gov.ng ), which has been in and out of bankruptcy for the last 20 years. After a few years without a service, the Lagos–Kano line has been upgraded and it’s now possible to take a train from Lagos to Ilorin and from Minna through Kaduna to Kano. The full track between Lagos and Kano has reopened to varying reviews and more services will become available again, possibly including the Port Harcourt–Jos–Maiduguri line. There is a ‘light’ railway system being built in Lagos with seven lines proposed, mainly to serve the suburbs, which should be completed by 2015.

The national road system links all the main centres, and traffic drives on the right. Roads in Nigeria are generally very poor, causing damage to vehicles and contributing to hazardous driving conditions. Of Nigeria’s 200,000km of roads, only about 60,000km are paved, but many of these are in very bad shape and have been decaying for years. Some have lost their asphalt surface or have reverted to being gravel roads; many are barely usable, especially in high rainfall areas of the south. Excessive speed, unpredictable driving habits, and the lack of basic maintenance on many vehicles are additional hazards (as burnt-out wrecks and mangled vehicles along the road will attest). The rainy season from May to October is especially dangerous because of flooded roads. The worst roads are in the southeast of the country. There are few traffic lights or stop signs, and drivers seldom yield the right of way or give consideration to pedestrians and cyclists .

Road travel in Africa is generally erratic, but in Nigeria you will also have to get used to the whole ethos of ‘me first’ – each motorist has absolute power and authority over the road, regardless of whether a pedestrian is walking in front of his vehicle, whether he is on the wrong side of the road and a truck is heading down a hill towards him, or whether he wants to get from point A to point B via an embankment, a pavement or a central reservation. There is a good reason why hire cars come with a driver in Nigeria, and why the more comfortable front seats of a go-when-full minibus are often the last to fill – the views through the eyes of the driver can be very unnerving! Finally, driving without honking the horn is considered discourteous and dangerous.

By minibus and bush taxi

Except for the smallest of villages, every settlement in Nigeria has a motor park, and some of the larger cities have several. All public transport goes from these and you will inevitably spend a great deal of time hanging around them waiting for vehicles to go-when-full.

Sometimes you may be lucky and arrive at a motor park and find a vehicle with only a couple of seats left and depart almost immediately; at other times you may be the first to arrive and have to hang around for another 16 or so people who want to go in the same direction as you.

It’s best to go to a motor park early as the first vehicles of the day fill quickly. The exception is Sunday in the Christian cities, where nothing moves until church finishes about 13.00. Although they seem completely chaotic at first, motor parks are fairly organised and someone will point you in the right direction of the vehicle you want. Always look out for the men in the green and white uniform of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), who patrol the motor parks and take the fee paid by the drivers for the use of the motor park. One will take you straight to the right bus. There are queues of vehicles and the one that is filling up first will have a wooden pyramid sign on top with the first three letters of the town or city it’s going to. When the vehicle departs, this is simply plonked onto the top of the next one. In nearly all of the motor parks you can hire a porter with a wheelbarrow to carry your luggage.

By okadas and city transport

There must be hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of motorcycle taxis in Nigeria. In the south they are generally called okadas (after a defunct airline); in the north they are known as achabas . If you get stuck, just simply say ‘machine’. You’ll see the odd meaty Suzuki, but the majority of Nigerian okadas are Jinchengs imported from China. Millions of young men make a living as okada drivers and, if they are successful, as they get older and when they can afford to buy a car, they become taxi drivers. They usually carry one person on the back but it’s not uncommon to see two or more people plus an assortment of luggage. In the cities they are faster than regular taxis but are not for the faint-hearted, though you can always tell your driver to slow down.

You will always have to negotiate a ride, which will be as little as N30 for a short hop outside of Lagos, and N50 in Lagos, while a journey of a kilometre or two will cost upwards of N150. In Lagos okada drivers by law now have to wear a helmet and most should offer a passenger helmet too, which may or may not fit or have a working chinstrap.

Given that you might not have a crash helmet (which is already taking a real risk in Lagos traffic), it’s not a good idea to take okadas on busy expressways where the traffic is moving fast. Accidents are common and in the large cities in particular okadas are driven very aggressively. Finally, if you ask an okada driver to take you somewhere and they hesitate at all it means that they don’t know the place. Rather than admitting this, they will drive around randomly until you catch on.

When to visit Nigeria

Nigeria is consistently hot all year round with very little change in temperature, and in the south there is a constant uncomfortable humidity. Temperatures are highest from February to April in the south and from March to June in the north, and lowest from October to January over most of the country. This is the dry season, when there are cooler temperatures but a chaotic dry northeast wind, referred to locally as the harmattan, which carries fine sand across the country from the Sahara. The dust-filled air during this time can be irritating and uncomfortable and appears as a dense fog. The harmattan is more common in the north but affects the entire country except for a narrow strip along the southwest coast.

However, the dry season is still the best time to go, as heavy rains during the rainy season (April–August) severely hamper travel when roads are flooded, motor parks become quagmires, and streets in Lagos turn into rivers of rubbish. On the coast, the rainy season kicks in earlier than in the rest of the country and starts in February or March, continuing until August. It’s best to avoid travel in the south during this time – the sky is continually overcast, it’s hot, humid and wet and, if travelling by public transport, you’ll need gumboots to wade through the mud in the motor parks.

Although Nigeria is wholly within the tropics, its climate varies from tropical at the coast, to sub-tropical further inland, to arid in the north. It experiences two distinct climates – dry and wet. The length of each season varies around the country depending on elevation and latitude but generally the dry season is November–March and the rainy season April to August, with shorter rains in September and October. However, on the coast the rainy season kicks in during February or March when a moist Atlantic air mass, known as the southwest monsoon, routinely batters the coast.

The coast, and predominantly the Niger Delta, receives more rain annually than the rest of the country – up to 4,000mm per year, approximately five times that of London. In contrast, the semi-arid Sahel in the northernmost part of the country receives the least rainfall – about 500mm annually. The peak of the rainy season here is in August, when air from the Atlantic covers the entire country.

However, Nigeria has suffered from a number of droughts over recent years, particularly in the Sahel, and the 20th century is considered among the driest periods of the last several centuries, with well-publicised droughts during the 1970s and 1980s. These drought periods indicate the great variability of climate across tropical Africa.

Nigeria’s temperature is high year-round, and is frequently accompanied by high humidity in low-lying and coastal areas where temperatures average around 32°C. In the north, temperatures generally average 37°C, with extreme northern desert regions averaging 45°C during the day and 6°C at night. Temperatures are highest from February to April in the south and from March to June in the north, and lowest from October to January over most of the country.

The dry season brings cooler temperatures and chaotic dry northeast winds, referred to locally as the harmattan , which carries fine sand from the Sahara across the country. The dust-filled air during this time can be irritating and uncomfortable and appears as a dense fog. The harmattan is more common in the north but affects the entire country except for a narrow strip along the southwest coast. However, an occasional strong harmattan can sweep as far south as Lagos, pushing clouds of dust out to sea and providing relief from high humidity in the capital.

What to see and do in Nigeria

The capital of Cross Rivers State in the extreme southeastern corner of Nigeria, Calabar is a pleasant town in a beautiful setting high on a hill above a curve in the Calabar River. It was originally called Old Calabar to distinguish it from another town called Kalabari. It has a long history of being Nigeria’s eastern port on an estuary of the Gulf of Guinea, and an estimated third of the slaves who left Nigeria were transported through Calabar. The town is also the cultural centre for the Efik people who dabbled in the slave trade as middlemen. It’s made up of the old Efik settlements of Creek Town (Obio Oko), Duke Town (Atakpa), Old Town (Obutong) and Henshaw Town (Nsidung).

Calabar is well known as the home of the Scottish missionary Mary Slessor, who arrived in 1878 from the United Free Church of Scotland. It grew as an important Niger Delta trading state in the 19th century, thanks to the lucrative palm oil trade, and today rubber and timber pass through Calabar’s port; tyre manufacturer Dunlop has rubber plantations around Calabar. It’s surrounded by saltwater swamps and dense tropical forest, and the markets are full of fish, pineapples, bananas, plantains, cassava and palm oil. For a short time (1893–1906) it was the capital of the British Protectorate of Southern Nigeria, before the capital was moved to Lagos, and was the region’s principal port during the early colonial days before it was eclipsed by Port Harcourt.

The older part of town along the Calabar River has some beautiful colonial buildings but they are in various stages of decay. These were shipped from Liverpool frame by frame, with the carpenters, and were not only used by the colonial offices; many of the local chiefs liked the British architecture so much that they ordered their own houses and period furniture from England and this architecture became the hallmark of Old Calabar. These chiefs even took British names: there were the Dukes, the Jameses, and the Henshaws. The best place to explore Calabar’s history is in the excellent museum.

By contrast, Calabar today is also home to two interesting conservation organisations (Pandrillus and Cercopan) that are doing something worthwhile to help Nigeria’s primates in the nearby Cross River forests. In 2007 okadas were banned from the centre of the city. This was initially a temporary measure following disturbances due to motorcycle operators in disagreement with the state government’s introduction of a mandatory motorbike registration fee. However, the ban was never lifted. Whilst this makes for a pleasant reduction in noise in much of the city, it does reduce the available transport options around town.

Cross River Forests & Mountains

Cross River National Park is the largest area of undisturbed rainforest in the country, and has been described as the Amazon of Nigeria; it seemingly goes on forever, over into Cameroon. The park is spectacularly beautiful, with green, rainforest-cloaked mountains and enormous trees. It is split into two parts, the Oban Division and the Okwangwo Division (that also includes parts of the Obudu Plateau), which are approximately 40km apart on either side of the Cross River to the north of Calabar.  The park covers approximately 4,000km² of Cross River State and the terrain is tough, with hilly escarpments, steep valleys and peaks that generally rise higher than the surrounding deep forest, some of which reach nearly 1,000m.

These rainforests are some of the oldest and richest in the whole of Africa, and many reports written by biologists, going as far back as the 1920s, emphasise the extreme biological richness of the area, their relatively intact status and the increasing threat from uncontrolled farming, logging and hunting.

The Oban Division has an estimated 1,558 plant species, while the Okwangwo has 1,545 species, 77 of which are endemic to Nigeria. The unique nature of Cross River State tropical forest is due in part to its high annual rainfall of over 4,000mm, and its relatively short dry season. Consequently, this forest, together with that immediately adjacent in southwest Cameroon, is classified as the only true evergreen rainforest in Africa. Over 60% of Nigeria’s endangered plant and animal species are found only within these forests. These include 132 tree species listed by the World Conservation Monitoring Centre as globally threatened. As many as 200 species have been recorded from a single 0.05ha plot, a diversity matched only in exceptionally rich sites in South America. These trees also attract butterflies, and the forests are richer in butterflies than any other part of Africa.

The Okwangwo Division, home to about 80% of all wild primate species in Nigeria, is where Cross River gorillas share the same habitat with other primates, including chimpanzees and drills. Other rare species include leopard, small antelope, a variety of monkeys, as well as buffalo and forest elephants. The gorilla, which had been declared extinct in Nigeria 40 years earlier, was rediscovered in 1987, and the huge amount of international publicity that this generated helped to persuade the government to gazette Cross River National Park in 1988.

Nevertheless, as in Nigeria’s other parks, mismanagement and neglect have taken their toll and, although the forests of the park are largely intact, they have been subjected to recent small-scale logging in some areas, and hunting continues to be practised throughout, endangering many species, notably the drill, chimpanzee, some of the monkeys such as Preuss’s and Sclater’s guenons, and the forest elephant.

Kano is the oldest city in west Africa, and today is the capital of Kano State. It is a teeming and vibrant city with a variety of interesting things to see. Rather surprisingly, in the 2006 census, the population of Kano State was put at 9,383,682, which was just over 370,000 more than Lagos State. This has been highly disputed and Lagos is generally considered to be far bigger.

Nevertheless, Kano is a huge commercial city founded on the trade of the ancient Sahara routes, and it’s in the centre of a major agricultural region where cotton, cattle and about half of Nigeria’s peanuts are raised. The traffic is especially chaotic here, and the pollution in the city is palpable, especially at the end of the dry season from April to May, when hot fumes scorch your throat. Kano has several districts, including the old city, which is walled and contains many clay houses, giving Kano a medieval atmosphere. The parts of the wall that can still be seen today were built in the 15th century, though as in other northern cities, most of it is seriously dilapidated and eroded.

Kano is popular for its traditional arts and crafts, including weaving and indigo cloth dyeing, and it has long been known for its leatherwork; its tanned goatskins were sent to north Africa from about the 15th century, and were known in Europe as morocco leather. The city is also recognised as a centre of learning – being the seat of Bayero University and the Kano State Institute for Higher Education – and the British Council Library and the Kano State Library are also located in the city. If you are in town at the end of Ramadan, then the traditional horseriding celebrations are not to be missed.

The emirs of Kano and Katsina both hold colourful durbars during the Muslim festival of Eid-el-Kabir and Id-el-Maulud. Performances include charges on horseback, knife swallowers, camels, acrobats, snake charmers, drummers and horn blowers. The city has many good restaurants and accommodation options, and you’ll welcome the coffee and cake shops and Western food.

Although Nigeria’s capital city is Abuja, with a population of just under 1.5 million, it took over from Lagos as the country’s official capital only in 1991, and Lagos remains Nigeria’s largest and most overwhelmingly principal city. The city is the capital of Lagos State, lying in the southwestern corner of the country. It’s the smallest state in the federation, and occupies an area of just 3,577km², 22% (or 787km²) of which consists of lagoons and creeks. This is not much bigger than a British county, but with a vastly higher population density. It shares its boundaries with Ogun State in the north and east, the Republic of Benin to the west, and has 180km of Atlantic coastline to the south. The Nigerian name for Lagos is Eko. It wasn’t until the 17th century that the Portuguese renamed it Lagos, meaning ‘lagoons’.

Lagos is situated in one of the few gaps in the 200km-long sandbar that stretches from Benin to the eastern side of Lagos State. It lies in a swampy mangrove zone and is entirely flat, with no natural point being any higher than a metre or so above sea level. The metropolitan area covers three main islands and an ever-increasing section of the mainland spreading out in all directions. The waters of Lagos’s lagoons stretch from a few hundred metres to 15km across, and in recent years landfills in the lagoons have been used for urbanisation. The city is basically a collection of islands that are connected together and to the mainland by long bridges – similar to Manhattan in New York City, though the comparison stops there.

Sacred Groves of Oshogbo

Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural significance, the forested sacred groves are Oshogbo’s main attraction, if not one of the biggest attractions in Nigeria (all the signs for them say ‘Sacred Grooves’). In the traditional Yoruba religion groves are sacred places reserved for rituals or shrines and Osun is today believed to be the last remaining one in the Yoruba culture – hence its inclusion as a World Heritage Site. The forest is a 75ha patch of delightful, butterfly-filled greenery that was once inhabited by the early settlers and founders of Oshogbo some 400 years ago.

Despite being completely surrounded by Oshogbo, the forest supports a remarkable diversity of monkeys, birds, snakes, forest antelopes and other fauna. The sacred nature of the forest means that it is protected, and none of the animals are hunted because they are regarded as physical manifestations of the goddess Osun. This is a rare example of protected rainforest in Nigeria, and an example of conservation as a local initiative, where indigenous people have endeavoured to protect their culture and their environment. Many of the animals in the groves, particularly the monkeys, are fairly tame and easy to see as they jump around overhead in the trees.

Yankari National Park

Yankari National Park and its Wikki Warm Spring is probably Nigeria’s best- known tourist attraction. It was upgraded to its present status as a national park by the government in 1991 and covers an area of 2,244km². Most of the park is made up of rolling hills of woodland savanna and is dominated by two rivers, the Gaji and the seasonal Yashi, that flow through the middle of the reserve, providing the main source of water for the wildlife.

The park was established in 1950 after the then Minister of Animal and Forest Resources went to Sudan and visited the White Nile Game Reserve, saw herds of elephant, antelope and buffalo, and decided that game reserves should be created in Nigeria. On his return he gazetted Yankari, which was a region already rich in game. Between 1955 and 1962, local hunters and farmers were moved out of the area, jeep tracks were ploughed through the forest to allow visitors to go on game drives, and a base camp was built close to Wikki Warm Spring. But in the 1970s and 1980s, wildlife populations declined dramatically due to a rinderpest epidemic and extensive and well-organised poaching by nomadic herdsmen. Marauding cattle were also sometimes killed by the lions, leading to retaliation by herdsmen.

Related books

For more information, see our guide to Nigeria :

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Nigeria Healthy Travel Packing List

Pack items for your health and safety.

• You may not be able to purchase and pack all of these items, and some may not be relevant to you and your travel plans. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.
• This list is general and may not include all the items you need. Check our Traveler Information Center for more information if you are a traveler with specific health needs, such as travelers who are pregnant, immune compromised, or traveling for a specific purpose like humanitarian aid work.
• Remember to pack extras of important health supplies in case of travel delays.

Prescription medicines

• Your prescriptions
• Travelers' diarrhea antibiotic
• Suture/syringe kit Kit is for use by local health care provider & requires a letter from your doctor on letterhead stationery
• Altitude sickness medicine
• Medicine to prevent malaria

Medical supplies

• Glasses Consider packing spare glasses in case yours are damaged
• Contact lenses Consider packing spare contacts in case yours are damaged
• Needles or syringes (for diabetes, for example) Requires a letter from your doctor on letterhead stationery
• Suture kit Kit is for use by local health care provider & requires a letter from your doctor on letterhead stationery
• Diabetes testing supplies
• Epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens)
• Medical alert bracelet or necklace

Over-the-counter medicines

• Antihistamine
• Motion sickness medicine
• Cough drops
• Cough suppression/expectorant
• Decongestant
• Medicine for pain and fever Examples: acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen
• Mild laxative
• Mild sedative or other sleep aid
• Saline nose spray

Supplies to prevent illness or injury

• Hand sanitizer or wipes Alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol or antibacterial hand wipes
• Water purification tablets See CDC recommendations: Water Disinfection .
• Water purification tablets May be needed if camping or visiting remote areas
• Insect repellent Select an insect repellent based on CDC recommendations: Avoid Bug Bites
• Permethrin Permethrin is insect repellent for clothing. It may be needed if you spend a lot of time outdoors. Clothing can also be treated at home in advance.
• Bed net For protection against insect bites while sleeping
• Sunscreen (SPF 15 or greater) with UVA and UVB protection. See Sun Exposure .
• Sunglasses and hat Wear for additional sun protection. A wide brim hat is preferred.
• Personal safety equipment Examples: child safety seats, bicycle helmets
• Latex condoms

First-aid kit

• 1% hydrocortisone cream
• Antifungal ointments
• Antibacterial ointments
• Antiseptic wound cleanser
• Aloe gel For sunburns
• Insect bite treatment Anti-itch gel or cream
• Bandages Multiple sizes, gauze, and adhesive tape
• Moleskin or molefoam for blisters
• Elastic/compression bandage wrap For sprains and strains
• Disposable gloves
• Digital thermometer
• Scissors and safety pins
• Cotton swabs (Q-Tips)
• Oral rehydration salts
• Health insurance documents Health insurance card (your regular plan and/or supplemental travel health insurance plan) and copies of claim forms
• Proof of yellow fever vaccination If required for your trip, take your completed International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis card or medical waiver
• Copies of all prescriptions Make sure prescriptions include generic names. Bring prescriptions for medicines, eye glasses/contacts, and other medical supplies.
• Family member or close contact remaining in the United States
• Health care provider(s) at home
• Lodging at your destination
• Hospitals or clinics (including emergency services) in your destination
• US embassy or consulate in the destination country or countries

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