Nigeria Safety Guide 2025
Stay safe during your Nigeria trip with essential safety information.
Safety Overview
Nigeria requires vigilance but millions of visitors travel successfully each year. Lagos and Abuja are the safest destinations for most travelers, with major tourist areas generally manageable with sensible precautions. The northeast (Borno, Adamawa, Yobe states) and Niger Delta (parts of Rivers, Delta states) have serious security concerns and should be avoided by tourists.
Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation and economic powerhouse, offers vibrant cities like Lagos and Abuja, rich cultural heritage spanning over 250 ethnic groups, diverse landscapes from Atlantic beaches to savanna, and world-renowned Afrobeat music scene. Experience bustling markets, ancient kingdoms, wildlife reserves, and warm Nigerian hospitality.
Current Advisory
Exercise increased caution nationwide. Do not travel to northeast Nigeria (Borno, Adamawa, Yobe) due to Boko Haram and ISWAP activity. Reconsider travel to north-central areas (Plateau, Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina) due to banditry and intercommunal violence. Lagos and Abuja are generally accessible for tourists with appropriate precautions.
Last updated: 2025-01
Travel Advisories
Official warnings and recommendations from government sources.
US State Department
Nationwide advisory. Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) for north-central states. Level 4 (Do Not Travel) for Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.
UK FCDO
Advises against all travel to northeast, northwest, and Niger Delta offshore areas. Essential travel only to other parts. Normal precautions in Lagos and Abuja tourist areas.
Official Advisory Sources
- 🇺🇸 US: travel.state.gov
- 🇬🇧 UK: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
- 🇨🇦 Canada: travel.gc.ca
- 🇦🇺 Australia: smartraveller.gov.au
Safety Checklist & Emergency Card
Download our printable safety checklist and emergency contact card.
Common Scams to Avoid
Be aware of these common tourist scams.
419 Advance Fee Fraud
Nigeria is the origin of the famous '419' email scam where someone promises large sums of money in exchange for a small upfront payment. This also operates in person targeting tourists with investment and business opportunities.
Fake Police Officers
Individuals posing as plainclothes police officers demanding to check phones, wallets, or documents for 'illegal content.' Real Nigerian police do not conduct random searches this way.
Overcharging Unlicensed Taxis
Street taxis (kabu-kabu) without meters quoting exorbitant fares to foreigners, sometimes not taking you to your destination and demanding more money.
Friendship Scam
Overly friendly strangers at markets, bus stations, or tourist sites who become very helpful then guide you to shops where they receive commission, or gradually extract money through manufactured emergencies.
Currency Exchange Scam
Unofficial money changers (especially near airports) using sleight of hand to short-change customers or providing counterfeit Naira notes.
Essential Safety Tips
Practical advice for staying safe during your trip.
Avoid travel after dark, especially outside major cities
Use trusted transportation and avoid displaying valuables
Stay in well-secured accommodations in safe neighborhoods
Register with your embassy upon arrival
Avoid northern border regions and areas with conflict
Get yellow fever vaccination (required for entry)
Avoid large public gatherings and demonstrations
Keep copies of important documents in secure location
Use only licensed metered taxis or ride-hailing apps (Uber, Bolt) — negotiate fares before getting in unlicensed vehicles
Be vigilant against 419 scams and street cons targeting foreigners — if a deal seems too good, it almost certainly is
Safety by Traveler Type
Solo Travelers
Solo travel is feasible in Lagos and Abuja with proper precautions. Stick to recommended neighborhoods (VI, Ikoyi, Lekki in Lagos; Maitama, Asokoro in Abuja), use Uber/Bolt exclusively, stay in established hotels, and avoid displaying expensive equipment. Solo travelers attract more attention — joining organized tours or having a local contact significantly improves the experience.
Female Travelers
Female solo travelers can visit Lagos and Abuja safely with sensible precautions. Dress modestly especially in northern areas and around religious sites. Avoid walking alone after dark. Nigerian culture can include unwanted verbal attention toward foreign women — firm but polite refusals work well. Female-only driver options on Bolt are available. Staying in international-brand hotels provides the safest environment.
Families
Nigeria can work well for families visiting Lagos and Abuja with advance planning. Stick to recommended family areas, book hotels with pools and secure compounds, use private transport consistently, and ensure children's malaria prophylaxis is prescribed in advance. Yellow fever vaccination is required for all ages. Landmark Beach, Nike Art Gallery, Lekki Conservation Centre, and national parks are excellent family-appropriate attractions.
LGBTQ+ Travelers
Same-sex relationships are criminalized under both federal law (up to 14 years imprisonment) and Sharia law in northern states (up to death penalty). LGBTQ+ travelers face serious legal risk and social hostility throughout Nigeria. Public displays of affection between same-sex couples should be completely avoided. Private travel is technically possible but requires full discretion. LGBTQ+ travelers should research current conditions carefully before visiting.
Health & Medical
Stay healthy during your trip.
Vaccinations
Required: Yellow Fever certificate checked at entry. Recommended: Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Polio booster, Tetanus, Rabies (if visiting rural areas), Meningitis ACWY. Malaria prophylaxis essential — Nigeria is a high-risk malaria zone. Consult travel clinic 6-8 weeks before departure.
Water Safety
Tap water is unsafe to drink throughout Nigeria. Drink only sealed bottled water (confirm seal is intact). Use bottled water even for brushing teeth and avoid ice unless from trusted hotel source.
Food Safety
Cook-to-order street food is generally safe when piping hot. Avoid pre-cooked food sitting in open air. Peel all fruits yourself. Dairy products at reputable establishments only. Bukas and suya spots with long queues are usually safer as food turns over quickly.
Medical Facilities
Good private hospitals exist in Lagos (Eko Hospital, Lagos Island General) and Abuja (National Hospital, Garki Hospital). Quality drops significantly outside major cities. Comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is strongly recommended.
Medication Tips
- Bring enough prescription medication for your entire trip plus extra
- Keep medications in original containers with pharmacy labels
- Carry a letter from your doctor explaining your medications
- Some medications may be restricted - research before traveling
- Pack basic medications: pain relievers, anti-diarrheal, antihistamines
Emergency Contacts
Important numbers to have on hand.
Emergency Services
Police, Fire, Ambulance
Medical Emergency
Hospitals and clinics
Your Embassy
Consular assistance
Tourist Police
Tourist assistance
Before You Go
- Register with your embassy's travel notification program
- Save emergency numbers in your phone
- Note your hotel's address in local language
- Share your itinerary with family/friends
- Know your travel insurance emergency hotline
Travel Confidently in Nigeria
Get our complete safety guide with emergency card, insurance recommendations, and area-by-area safety ratings.
Download Safety Guide