Lagos is Nigeria's coastal megacity and West Africa's largest metropolis, a sprawling lagoon-side sprawl of islands and mainland districts that serves as the country's commercial, cultural, and entertainment capital. Spread across Lagos Island, Victoria Island, Ikeja, and dozens of mainland neighborhoods, Lagos is the beating heart of Afrobeats music, Nollywood film, West African fashion, and a fast-growing tech scene, all layered over historic markets, colonial-era streets, and Atlantic beaches.
Lagos carries a higher risk profile than most international leisure destinations, with street crime, occasional armed robbery, and traffic-related hazards as the main day-to-day concerns for visitors, alongside the broader security context in Nigeria. It is not among the areas under Do Not Travel warnings (which apply to specific northern states), but visitors should exercise increased caution, stick to well-known districts, use trusted transport, and stay alert, particularly after dark.
Current safety advisory
High Caution
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
Use Bolt or Uber for all trips rather than hailing danfo buses, okadas (motorcycle taxis), or unmarked vehicles, especially after dark or in unfamiliar areas
Keep car windows up and doors locked while in traffic, as opportunistic theft through open windows can occur at busy junctions and traffic lights (go-slows)
Avoid displaying phones, jewelry, or cash in public, and keep bags close to the body in crowded markets like Balogun Market
Stay in well-known, well-lit districts such as Victoria Island, Ikoyi, or Lekki, and avoid wandering into unfamiliar mainland neighborhoods without local guidance
During the rainy season (April-October), avoid driving or walking through flooded underpasses and low-lying roads, as flash flooding is common and can be dangerous
Register with your embassy's traveler program before arrival and keep emergency contacts saved offline
Avoid political rallies, protests, or large public gatherings, which can turn unpredictable and sometimes see a heavy security response
Carry a photocopy of your passport and visa rather than the original document when moving around the city day-to-day
Be cautious with new acquaintances who offer unsolicited help, investment opportunities, or romantic interest quickly, as advance-fee and romance scams are common
Avoid travel outside Lagos State to Nigeria's northern regions, several of which carry Do Not Travel warnings from Western governments due to terrorism and kidnapping risk
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Advance-fee fraud (419 scam)
Strangers, sometimes posing as officials, business contacts, or love interests met online, request upfront payments for a promised larger sum, inheritance, or opportunity
How to avoid: Never send money or personal financial details to anyone met online or through unsolicited contact, no matter how convincing the story
Fake police or officials
Individuals posing as police, immigration, or customs officers demand on-the-spot fines or bribes, sometimes at fake checkpoints
How to avoid: Ask to see identification, insist on being taken to a proper police station for any genuine issue, and avoid handing over cash or documents on the street
Currency exchange short-changing
Street money changers offer attractive rates but use sleight-of-hand or rigged counting to shortchange travelers
How to avoid: Exchange money only at licensed bureaux de change or banks, and count all cash carefully before leaving the counter
Overcharging tourists at markets and by drivers
Vendors and unofficial drivers quote inflated prices to visitors assumed unfamiliar with local rates
How to avoid: Use ride-hailing apps with upfront pricing, ask a hotel front desk for typical local prices, and negotiate firmly but politely at markets
Distraction theft in traffic and crowds
In heavy traffic or crowded markets, one person distracts a target while an accomplice takes a phone, bag, or wallet
How to avoid: Keep windows up in traffic, bags zipped and worn across the body, and stay alert in dense crowds
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
- Vaccinations
- A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry into Nigeria; malaria is present year-round in Lagos, so antimalarial medication and mosquito precautions (repellent, long sleeves in the evening) are strongly recommended. Routine vaccines (MMR, tetanus, hepatitis A/B, typhoid) should also be up to date; consult a travel health clinic well before departure.
- Water
- Tap water is not safe to drink; drink bottled or well-filtered water, and check that bottle seals are intact before purchase
- Food
- Street food from busy, high-turnover stalls is generally safe and popular, but visitors with sensitive stomachs should stick to hot, freshly cooked food, avoid raw vegetables of uncertain washing, and choose restaurants with good hygiene reputations
- Facilities
- Private hospitals in Victoria Island, Ikoyi, and Lekki (such as Reddington Hospital and Lagoon Hospital) offer higher standards of care than most public facilities and are preferred for travelers; comprehensive travel health insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended, as serious cases may require evacuation
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
- Police
- 112 or 767 (Lagos State toll-free emergency line)
- Medical
- 112 or 767 (LASAMBUS ambulance); private ambulance services are also available on call
- Fire
- 112 or 767 (Lagos State Fire Service)
- General Emergency
- 112 (national emergency number) or 767 (Lagos State, free on all networks)
- Main Hospital
- Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Surulere, Lagos; private options include Reddington Hospital (Victoria Island) and Lagoon Hospital (Ikoyi) for higher-standard care
- Embassy Us
- U.S. Consulate General Lagos, 2 Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos; +234 (1) 460-3400; email LagosACS@state.gov
- Embassy Uk
- British Deputy High Commission Lagos, 11 Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos; +234 (1) 277-0780