Significant safety concerns; travel only if you have a clear reason to go. Political freedoms are limited and travellers should be mindful of local sensitivities.
Regional breakdown
The risk picture in Nigeria varies sharply by region. The official advisory guidance warns against all travel to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe states in the north east, where Boko Haram and ISWAP remain active. The same warning covers Katsina and Zamfara in the north west, where armed bandit groups have carried out mass kidnappings from villages and schools. In the south, official advisory guidance warns against all travel to the riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. These creeks and waterways have a long history of piracy, oil theft and kidnap-for-ransom against foreign workers. Port Harcourt sits inside Rivers State and is treated separately by the US, which carves it out from its strictest warning. A second tier of states sits under "all but essential travel" guidance. This includes Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa and Sokoto in the north west, plus Bauchi, Plateau, Taraba, Niger and Kogi across the middle belt. Abuja, the federal capital, and Lagos do not fall under the strictest warnings, but both cities still see street crime, fraud and the occasional protest. Travellers to Abuja and Lagos are told to plan movements carefully and avoid large gatherings.
Recent advisory changes
The official advisory guidance last updated its Nigeria advice on 1 April 2026. The most recent change focused on the safety section, where new wording was added on the risks from kidnap for ransom and terrorist kidnap. The geographic map of red and amber zones did not shift in this update, but the language around kidnapping was strengthened. Travellers are reminded that going against official advisory guidance guidance can invalidate travel insurance. The official advisory guidance keeps Nigeria at Level 3, Reconsider Travel, with the current advisory reissued on 15 July 2025. Inside that, several states are pushed up to Level 4, Do Not Travel. These include Borno, Yobe, Kogi and northern Adamawa for terrorism, plus Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara for kidnapping and banditry. A separate Level 4 block covers Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo and Rivers for crime and gang violence, with Port Harcourt carved out. No ordered departure of US government staff is in place right now.
What travellers should know
Kidnap for ransom is the single biggest risk flagged by both governments. It is not limited to remote areas. Attacks have hit highways, trains, schools and farms, and foreigners are seen as high-value targets. Road travel between cities, especially after dark, is strongly discouraged across most northern and middle belt states. Many companies operating in Nigeria use armed escorts, secure transport and pre-cleared routes for staff movements. Health care quality is uneven outside the main cities, and the US advisory specifically calls this out. Travellers should carry comprehensive medical insurance that includes evacuation, since serious cases often need transfer to Europe or South Africa. Yellow fever vaccination is required for entry, and malaria is present year round. Petty crime, card skimming and online scams are common in Lagos and Abuja, so travellers should keep a low profile. Avoid displaying valuables, and use trusted transport. Anyone planning to visit should register their trip with their embassy and check both official advisory guidance and US advisories within 48 hours of departure. As the risk picture can change quickly.