Nigeria

Is Nigeria safe to visit?

Only with careful planning, and only in parts of the country. We score Nigeria 35, below Kenya (49) and South Africa (46), and the numbers explain why. SBM Intelligence, a Nigerian research firm, counted at least 7,825 people kidnapped between July 2025 and June 2026, 66% more than a year earlier. Islamist insurgents remain active in the north-east, and Nigeria carries the world's heaviest malaria burden.

Millions still travel safely each year, mostly to Lagos and Abuja for business or family. The US State Department rates Nigeria Level 3 (reconsider travel) but says do not travel to 23 of its 36 states. The UK FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary advises against all travel to six states and the Niger Delta's riverine areas.

Where not to go

The two governments' lists differ, but both cover most of the north and parts of the south.

Region	UK FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary	US State Department
North-east (Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe)	All travel	Do not travel (Adamawa: the north only)
North-west (Katsina, Zamfara)	All travel	Do not travel
Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kebbi, Bauchi	All but essential	Do not travel (except Kebbi)
North-central (Niger, Kogi, Kwara, Plateau, Taraba, Benue)	All but essential	Do not travel (except Benue)
Niger Delta riverine areas	All travel	Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers do not travel, except Port Harcourt
South-east (Abia, Anambra, Imo; US adds Enugu)	All but essential	Do not travel
Lagos, Abuja, the south-west	Not listed	Not listed

Your insurance will probably not cover areas on the FCDO list.

Kidnapping, terrorism and banditry

Kidnapping is the risk that shapes daily life. SBM's latest report counted 1,713 kidnap-related incidents and at least 1,142 deaths in the year to June 2026, with ransom payments more than tripling to 7.78 billion naira. Mass abductions are now the most common method: 315 pupils and staff were taken from St Mary's School in Papiri, Niger State, and 416 people from Ngoshe in Borno. The north-west, especially Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto, is worst hit, but the FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary says kidnaps can happen anywhere, including on the Abuja-Kaduna highway and the Enugu-Onitsha expressway.

The US says kidnappers mainly target dual nationals visiting family, because they are seen as wealthy. The FCDO says British nationals of any background are seen as legitimate targets.

In the north-east, Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa carry out bombings and attacks and set up fake checkpoints on roads such as the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway. The FCDO lists attacks linked to terrorist groups in 13 states and the Federal Capital Territory since 2021. Clashes between farmers and herders and unrest in the south-east add to the risk away from the cities.

Crime in Lagos and Abuja

UNODC put Nigeria's homicide rateHomicide rateThe number of people killed on purpose each year for every 100,000 residents. It is the most comparable crime figure between countries.More in the glossary at 15.8 per 100,000 in 2023, well below South Africa but many times the European level. In Lagos the FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary says street crime is a significant risk, particularly on the mainland and in crowded places, and walking at night is especially risky. Most visitors stay on Victoria Island, Ikoyi or Lekki and move by car.

In Abuja, the FCDO says violent crime involving firearms has spread from the outer suburbs to wealthier central areas. Watch for criminals posing as greeters at international airports, armed carjackings in traffic, and robberies near banks and ATMs. If you are robbed, the FCDO says comply at once.

Roads, malaria and medical care

Road travel is dangerous for two reasons: crashes and crime. WHO estimatedWHO road-death estimateThe World Health Organization's estimate of road traffic deaths per 100,000 people in a country, adjusted for deaths that police statistics miss.More in the glossary 20.7 road deaths per 100,000 people in 2019, among the highest rates we cover. The Federal Road Safety Corps recorded 5,289 deaths in 2025, but many crashes never reach its figures. Limit travel after dark, and fly between cities rather than driving.

Health is Nigeria's other weak point. WHO data show Nigeria had about 68 million malaria cases in 2023, 26% of the world total, and 30.9% of malaria deaths. Yellow fever vaccination is required for entry. The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary says there is no national ambulance service, and the US warns of counterfeit medicines and hospitals that demand cash first. Bring all your medicines and buy insurance with medical evacuation.

How to stay safe in Nigeria

• Arrange airport pickup with a driver whose name and car you have confirmed in advance.
• Fly between Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt instead of driving.
• Keep car doors locked and windows up, especially in Lagos traffic.
• Start malaria prophylaxis before you go and seek a test for any fever.
• Do not post your movements or hotel online.
• Call 112 in an emergency.

How we scored it

Conflict (18) and health (28) are the weakest factors, reflecting the do-not-travel advisoriesUS travel advisoryThe US State Department's rating of each country from Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) to Level 4 (do not travel).More in the glossary for most states and the malaria burden. Petty crime (32), road safety (38) and violent crime (40) are all low too. Natural hazards (60) is the only factor near the middle of the range.