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Is Nigeria Safe to Visit in 2026?

Very High Risk

Very High Risk. Largest African economy. Lagos vibrant but challenging. Avoid northeast (Boko Haram). Business travel mainly. Warnely's safety assessment for Nigeria is Very High Risk (70/100). Last updated 10 May 2026

70 / 100

Very High Risk
Reviewed Apr 2026 · how we score

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What Warnely Is Tracking

Real-time incidents pulled from the Warnely pipeline. The dashboard renders a richer feed.

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Official Travel Advisories

UK FCDO

See travel advice

Check current FCDO advice for latest information.

View full advisory →

US State Department

Check current level

Check State Dept for current advisory level.

View full advisory →

Risk Breakdown

This is the static baseline rating across six dimensions. The Warnely dashboard adds a live 30-day signal alongside.

Crime4/5

Check FCDO/State Dept for current assessment.

Natural Disasters2/5

Check local conditions.

Health2/5

Consult travel clinic before departure.

Terrorism3/5

Check current advisories.

Civil Unrest3/5

Monitor local situation.

Infrastructure3/5

Check transport options.

Quick Facts

Plug type	D/G
Voltage	240V/50Hz
Time zone	UTC+1
Driving side	Right
Tap water	Unsafe

Visa & Entry

Type	Visa required (embassy)
Length	30/90 days
Cost	$160+

Pre-arranged visa via embassy required for most Western. eVisa available since 2025 for select airports. Yellow fever certificate required.

Verify on IATA Travel Centre →

Summary: Visa required.

Passport: Valid 6+ months.

Customs: Declare electronics and cash over $10,000.

Prohibited: Drones forbidden. Photography of military/government/ports risky. Drug laws extremely strict.

Practical Tips

Africa's most populous nation (200M+) – diverse languages, cuisines, religions
Lagos requires city smarts – use ride-hailing (Uber/Bolt), avoid okada (motorbike taxis) as tourist
Avoid Borno/Yobe/Adamawa (Boko Haram) and parts of NW (bandit kidnappings)
Lagos Nollywood (film), music (Afrobeats – Burna Boy, Wizkid) are cultural powerhouses
Lagos traffic (go-slow) is legendary – allow hours for any journey

Common Scams & Practical Risks

Money changers: Use banks. Street exchange is risky.
Fake officials: Be cautious of people claiming to be officials demanding payments.

Solo & Women’s Safety

Solo Travellers

Challenging but rewarding. Local knowledge essential.

Women’s Safety Exercise Caution

Exercise caution. Dress conservatively. Harassment can occur.

LGBTQ+ Travellers

Legal status	Death penalty / severe penalty
Social climate	Hostile

Up to 14yrs federally; 12 northern sharia states have death penalty. Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act 2014 even bans support. Travel inadvisable for LGBTQ visitors.

Verify current law on Equaldex →

Drug Laws

Severity	Severe (long sentences)
Cannabis	Severe penalties

Possession up to 25yrs. NDLEA aggressive; airport searches frequent for departing foreigners.

Verify on UK FCDO →

Emergency Numbers

police

112

ambulance

112

fire

112

tourist

112

Data version v2 · Reviewed Apr 2026 · methodology · Found something out of date? Tell us.

Common questions about Nigeria

Is Nigeria safe for tourists in 2026?

Largest African economy. Lagos vibrant but challenging. Avoid northeast (Boko Haram). Business travel mainly. Warnely's overall safety assessment for Nigeria is Very High Risk (70/100), very high risk. Always check the latest UK FCDO and US State Department advisories before booking.

What's the crime risk in Nigeria?

Check FCDO/State Dept for current assessment. Crime category score: 4/5 (extreme).

Are there health risks travelling to Nigeria?

Consult travel clinic before departure. Health category score: 2/5. Consult a travel clinic 4-6 weeks before departure for recommended vaccinations.

Is Nigeria safe for solo female travellers?

Exercise Caution. Exercise caution. Dress conservatively. Harassment can occur.

When is the best time to visit Nigeria?

Dry Season (Harmattan) (Nov-Feb). Cooler (22-32°C), dry Harmattan wind from Sahara. Best for Lagos, Abuja, Calabar festival (Dec).

What are the drug laws in Nigeria?

Drug penalties: Severe (long sentences). Cannabis: Severe penalties. Possession up to 25yrs. NDLEA aggressive; airport searches frequent for departing foreigners.

Do I need a visa to visit Nigeria?

Visa required (embassy). Stay length: 30/90 days. Pre-arranged visa via embassy required for most Western. eVisa available since 2025 for select airports. Yellow fever certificate required.

Is the tap water safe to drink in Nigeria?

Tap water in Nigeria is not safe to drink – use bottled or filtered water. Most travellers should stick to bottled or filtered water for cooking, drinking and ice.

What do governments say about travel to Nigeria?

UK FCDO: See travel advice. US State Dept: Check current level. Read the full advisories on the relevant government sites – links are inside the Official Travel Advisories section above.