Nigeria

Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, and i nconsistent availability of health care services.

to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, and inconsistent availability of health care services. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Crime and Kidnapping

Violent crime is common throughout Nigeria. This includes armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping, hostage-taking, roadside banditry, and rape.

• Kidnappings for ransom happen often.
• They primarily target dual national citizens visiting Nigeria.
• Americans are perceived as wealthy and are often targets of crime and kidnapping.
• Kidnapping gangs have stopped drivers on interstate roads in order to rob and kidnap victims.

Terrorism

There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Nigeria.

Terrorists continue plotting and carrying out attacks in Nigeria. Terrorists collaborate with local gangs to expand their reach. They may attack with little or no warning, including:

• Shopping centers and malls
• Markets
• Hotels
• Places of worship
• Restaurants and bars
• Schools
• Government buildings
• Transportation hubs
• Public places where crowds gather

Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more.

Unrest

Civil unrest and armed gangs are active in parts of Southern Nigeria. This is especially true in the Niger Delta and Southeast regions. Armed crime and gangs are common in the area. Crimes include kidnapping and assaults on Nigerian security services.

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

Unreliable health care

Americans should not expect the same level of health care to be available in Nigeria as they do in the United States:

• Nigerian medical facilities are generally not equipped to U.S. or European standards.
• Many medicines are not available. This includes common medications for diabetes or asthma.  
• Bring enough over the counter and prescription medicines to last your entire stay in Nigeria.
• Make sure all your vaccinations are up to date. Consider getting boosters for yellow fever, meningitis, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and polio.
• All visitors should take Malaria prophylaxis. Nigeria is high risk for Malaria.
• Counterfeit pharmaceuticals are a common problem.
• Hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.
• Most hospitals and doctors do not accept U.S. health insurance.
• Emergency services like those in the United States or Europe do not exist.
• Blood supply is often unreliable.
• Ambulance services are unreliable, have poor equipment, and often do not have trained paramedics.
• We strongly recommend getting traveler’s insurance, including medical evacuation insurance, before traveling.
• The Department of State does not pay medical bills for Americans overseas.
• The U.S. government cannot offer emergency services to Americans in many areas of Nigeria due to the safety risks.

Do Not Travel to:

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