Nigeria
Warnings and insurance
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
The Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria have commenced a nationwide strike affecting public services across Nigeria. This includes disruptions at all Nigerian airports, including international terminals. You are advised to check with your airline or agent before travelling and make alternative arrangements where required.
Areas where FCDO advises against travel
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice.
North East Nigeria
FCDO advises against all travel to:
- Borno State
- Yobe State
- Adamawa State
- Gombe State
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:
- Bauchi State
- Taraba State
North West Nigeria
FCDO advises against all travel to:
- Kaduna State
- Katsina State
- Zamfara State
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:
- Kano State
- Jigawa State
- Sokoto State
- within 20km of the border with Niger in Kebbi State
North Central Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, including Abuja
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:
- Niger State
- Kogi State
- Plateau State
South East and South South Nigeria
FCDO advises against all travel to the riverine areas (the river and swamp locations accessible by boat, but not by road) of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:
- Abia State
- non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers and Akwa Ibom states
- Anambra State
- Imo State
Nigeria-Niger border
The Nigeria-Niger land border has been closed by the Nigerian authorities in response to the political situation in Niger. If you’re planning to travel by land across this border, check with the local authorities for the latest information before travelling.
See Niger travel advice before travelling by land across this border.
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes:
- advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks
- information for women, LGBT+ and disabled travellers
Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
Update history
2024-08-20 14:44
Information on passport validity requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2024-08-13 12:00
Information about protests that have now largely receded but may reoccur with little notice (See ‘Safety and Security’ page).
2024-08-01 22:26
New information that as of 01 August, widespread public demonstrations are taking place across Nigeria (‘Safety and security’ page)
2024-07-26 16:57
New information that as of 26 July, widespread public demonstrations are a possibility across Nigeria (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-06-10 16:46
New information that as of 10 June, no further strike action has been called in Nigeria (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-06-05 13:53
New information on the nationwide strikes in Nigeria which commenced on 4 June (see ‘Nationwide Strikes’ on the ‘Safety and Security’ Page).
2024-06-03 18:25
Addition of information and advice on nationwide strikes affecting public services including at all international airports (Warnings and Insurance page).
2024-01-26 17:29
This travel advice has been updated with regards to information on kidnappings. See “Kidnapping for Ransom” and “Taxis and buses”.
2023-12-15 18:07
This travel advice has been updated to reflect an expected period of civil disobedience in Southeast Nigeria. See ‘regional risks’.
2023-12-12 17:03
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-11-15 11:15
Removal of Information on the security alert issued by the US Embassy in Nigeria on the increased threat to major hotels in Nigeria’s larger cities; and on off-cycle state elections (‘Summary’ page).
2023-11-04 14:30
Information on the security alert issued by the US Embassy in Nigeria on the increased threat to major hotels in Nigeria’s larger cities (Summary)
2023-11-03 11:03
FCDO now advise against all but essential to Imo state due to attacks on civilians and security forces (‘Safety and Security’ page). Information on off-cycle state level elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi (‘Summary’ and under ‘Protests, demonstrations and intercommunal violence’ on the ‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-10-06 16:57
Information on outbreaks of diphtheria in Nigeria (‘Health’ page).
2023-08-18 22:19
Updates to ‘local travel’ (Safety and security’ page) and ‘Money’.
2023-07-31 19:49
Information about a risk of violence in Enugu state in South East Nigeria from 31 July to 14 August and land and air border closures with Niger (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-06-22 11:21
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-06-12 09:24
Removal of information about the inauguration ceremony in Abuja (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-05-27 21:22
Update on Nigeria’s Presidential and Gubernatorial Inaugurations on 29 May (safety and security)
2023-05-18 13:40
The FCDO now advise against all but essential to Anambra state following an attack on a US convoy. (‘Safety and Security’ page).
2023-04-19 15:56
Removal of information regarding potential disruption now that airport workers strike has finished (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security ‘ section).
2023-04-17 19:28
Information regarding potential disruption due to airport workers strike on 17 and 18 April (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security ‘ section).
2023-03-22 16:54
Removal of information about Gubernatorial and State Houses of Assembly elections which took place on 18 March (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-03-22 16:38
Removal of information about Gubernatorial elections and State Houses of Assembly which took place on 18 March (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-03-18 13:22
Latest update: Gubernatorial elections will take place on 18 March 2023. Movement restrictions will be enforced in states where elections will take place from 00:00 to 18:00 and there is a heightened risk of protests and violence. You should exercise caution, follow the instructions of local authorities, and ensure in advance that you have a sufficient supply of essential goods (see ‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ sections).
2023-03-17 20:13
Updated information on restrictions on movement during gubernatorial election period (‘Summary’, ‘Nigeria borders’, ‘Road Travel’, ‘Air Travel’ and ‘Protests and Demonstrations’ pages).
2023-03-09 16:45
Updated information on the election period (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-02-27 16:33
Updated information on restrictions on movement during election period (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-02-24 15:26
Updated information on restrictions on movement during election period (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-02-20 16:27
Updated information on restrictions on movement during election period (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-02-15 18:21
Updated information on Nigeria entry requirements (‘Summary’ and ‘Entry Requirements’ pages) and update on change of currency (‘Summary’, and ‘Money’ pages).
2023-02-10 17:00
Updated information on upcoming Nigerian elections and update on change of currency (‘Summary’, ‘Safety and security’ and pages).
2023-01-30 16:15
Updated information on change of local currency notes (‘Summary’ and ‘Money’ pages).
2023-01-27 16:16
Updated information on change of local currency notes (‘Summary’ and ‘Money’ pages).
2023-01-17 17:09
Updated information on terrorist kidnaps (‘Terrorism’ page).
2022-12-22 15:02
Addition of information that COVID-19 restrictions have lifted, updated information on local travel, terrorism and crime (‘Summary’, ‘Coronavirus’, ‘Safety and security’, ‘Terrorism’, ‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Health’ pages).
2022-12-06 16:13
Updated information on train services between Abuja and Kaduna, Northern Nigeria (‘Safety and security’ page).
2022-11-07 16:43
The FCDO no longer advises against all but essential travel to the Federal Capital Territory, including the city of Abuja, but risks remain, and further details about the continued threat from terrorism in this region has been added. The FCDO advice against travelling to other areas of Nigeria remains in place (‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages).
2022-10-26 18:45
Updated to advise against all but essential travel to the Federal Capital Territory, including the city of Abuja
2022-10-24 19:54
Update to ‘Terrorism’ section
2022-10-23 07:13
Update to ‘Terrorism’ section
2022-08-19 16:54
Updated information on screening of arrivals under ‘Entry Requirements’
2022-08-11 16:06
Updated information on increased insecurity in the outer suburbs of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory and surrounding states (‘Safety and security’ page).
2022-08-01 15:58
Removal of information on the nationwide protest and strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress
2022-07-27 16:58
Update to information on terrorism and terrorist kidnap (‘Terrorism’ pages)
2022-07-27 13:20
New information added on the announcement of a nationwide protest and strike by The Nigeria Labour Congress (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).
2022-07-11 17:40
Updated information on locations of terrorist attacks (‘Summary’ page and ‘Terrorism’ page)
2022-07-07 18:23
Update on domestic runway closure at Murtala Muhammad Airport, Lagos (‘Summary’ page and ‘Safety and security’ page). Update on attack on Kuje prison (‘Summary’ page and ‘Safety and security’ page and ‘Terrorism’ page)
2022-07-06 18:17
Update on attack on Kuje prison (‘Summary’ page)
2022-06-23 16:05
Updated information on increased reports of violent crime in the suburbs of Abuja (‘Summary’ page)
2022-06-10 16:53
Addition of information on a gun attack at a church in Owo, Ondo State on 5 June (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-06-01 12:10
Additional advice on ongoing presidential primaries in Abuja and possible disruption to traffic (‘Summary’ page)
2022-05-27 15:54
Addition of information and advice on presidential primaries in Abuja between 28 May and 1 June and possible disruption to traffic (‘Summary’ page)
2022-05-19 16:03
The FCDO now additionally advises against all but essential travel to the states of Plateau and Taraba. There is also an increased risk of violence and kidnap in Benue state. (‘Summary’, ‘Safety and security’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages)
2022-05-17 16:50
Update on an explosion in Kano on 17 May. (‘Summary’ page)
2022-05-14 19:57
Updated information on protests and the imposition of a 24 hour curfew in Sokoto State (‘Summary’ page)
2022-05-13 10:53
Updated information on the suspension of the planned cancellation of domestic flights by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), planned resumption of train services between Abuja and Kaduna and the risk of terrorist kidnaps (‘Summary’, ‘Safety and security’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages)
2022-05-08 18:42
Announcement from the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) that some Nigerian airlines will suspend domestic flights from 9 May (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-04-04 08:23
Update to COVID entry requirements from 00:01am on Monday, 4th April, 2022 for in-bound passengers to Nigeria.
2022-04-03 19:09
Update to COVID entry requirements from 00:01am on Monday, 4th April for in-bound passengers to Nigeria (See ‘Entry requirements’)
2022-03-29 17:58
Update to information on upcoming sporting events (‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-03-29 17:06
Update to information on attacks and kidnaps (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-03-17 13:30
Update to information on kidnaps (‘Summary’, ‘Safety and security’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages)