Nigeria

Recommended Vaccinations For Nigeria

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Polio Vaccine

Travellers in any country that reports cases of polio can reduce their risk of exposure to polio virus by ensuring that their childhood vaccinations, including polio, are up-to-date prior to travelling. Residents (and visitors for more than 4 weeks) from infected areas should receive an additional dose of oral polio vaccine or inactivated polio vaccine within 4 weeks to 12 months before travelling.

For Some Travellers

Yellow Fever Vaccine

**There is a risk of yellow fever transmission in Nigeria. This country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers over 9 months of age arriving from countries/territories at risk for yellow fever transmission, and travellers having transited through an airport in a country/territory at risk for yellow fever transmission.**

Meningitis Vaccine

Because this country is located in the sub-Saharan meningitis belt, vaccination against meningitis is recommended if travelling during the dry season (December to June).

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Cholera Vaccine

**The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions.** **The U.S. CDC recommends the cholera vaccine for children and adults who are traveling to areas of active cholera transmission.**

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Recommended Medications For Nigeria

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

**Recommended anti-malaria medication includes atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, tafenoquine, or mefloquine. Anti-malaria drug resistance for chloroquine is present.**

Diseases To Be Aware of for Nigeria

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Nigeria through contaminated food or water.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Nigeria.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever may occur in this country.

Cholera

Cholera outbreaks occur in Nigeria. The risk to travellers is low unless living or working in poor sanitary conditions, drinking untreated water or eating poorly cooked or raw seafood in this country.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever may occur in this country.

For Some Travellers

Lassa Fever

**There may be sporadic cases of Lassa Fever.**

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Nigeria, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Yellow Fever

**There is a risk of yellow fever transmission in Nigeria. This country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers over 9 months of age arriving from countries/territories at risk for yellow fever transmission, and travellers having transited through an airport in a country/territory at risk for yellow fever transmission.**

River blindness

Onchocerciasis occurs in Nigeria, but the risk to short-term travellers is low unless living or working near black flies or staying in this country for longer than 3 months.

Polio

**This country has reported cases of Polio.**

Meningitis

Meningitis outbreaks occur in Nigeria. Travellers who visit during the dry season (December to June) or expect to have prolonged contact with the local population are especially at risk.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in Nigeria. Travellers to Nigeria are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Zika Fever

Zika fever may occur in Nigeria.

Malaria

All areas of Nigeria are at high risk for malaria.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Leishmaniasis

Sporadic cases of leishmaniasis occur in Nigeria.

Safety & Security in Nigeria

Personal Safety

Nigeria faces substantial personal safety challenges. Between May 2023 and April 2024, an estimated 51.89 million crime incidents were recorded across Nigerian households. Crime encompasses armed robbery, assault, carjacking, fraud, and cybercrimes. The crime rate has remained consistently high, and you face risks in both urban and rural settings. Kidnappings occur frequently, with more than 3,600 people kidnapped between June 2023 and June 2024. Armed bandit groups operate extensively in northwestern states, while terrorist organizations including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province remain active in northeastern regions. Multiple mass kidnapping incidents targeting schools, travelers, and villages have occurred. Police response to crimes varies and is often slow, with reports indicating officers may not respond at all in some cases. The arrest rate stands at only 0.14 suspects per 1,000 people. Vigilante groups fill security gaps in many areas, though their legal status remains unclear. Criminal groups use online dating apps to entrap and extort victims through schemes known as kito attacks, which accounted for 70% of human rights violations against certain populations in 2023. Credit card fraud occurs commonly, and advance fee fraud scams targeting foreigners persist. Cybercrime remains a significant issue with organized syndicates operating across the country.

Extreme Violence

Extreme violence from multiple armed groups creates ongoing threats. Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province conduct attacks primarily in northeastern states including Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa. Between January and June 2025, at least 2,266 people were killed by bandits or insurgents, surpassing the total for all of 2024. ISWAP has escalated operations since January 2025, launching at least twelve coordinated attacks on military bases across Borno State in the first three months alone. The group claimed 445 attacks and 1,552 casualties between July 2024 and July 2025, leading all Islamic State provinces worldwide. Boko Haram massacred close to 100 residents in Mallam Karamti and Kwatandashi villages in May 2025. Suicide bombings have resurged, with attacks occurring in crowded markets and public spaces. In October 2023, Boko Haram killed 20 mourners returning from a burial in Yobe State. Armed bandit groups operate extensively in northwestern states including Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, and Sokoto, conducting mass kidnappings, village raids, and killings. In August 2025, bandits killed at least 30 people in a mosque attack in Katsina State. Intercommunal violence between herders and farming communities persists in north-central states, with over 100 people killed in Plateau State in April 2025 alone. Between June 13-14, 2025, at least 150 people were killed in an overnight assault on Yelwata village in Benue State. The Lakurawa terrorist group with links to Islamic State Sahel Province killed 59 civilians across Sokoto and Kebbi States between January and June 2025.

Political Unrest

Political unrest manifests through economic protests and government responses. In August 2024, nationwide EndBadGovernance protests erupted over inflation that reached 33.4% and soaring fuel prices. At least 14 protesters were killed on the first day of demonstrations, with scores more arrested over the 10-day period. Security forces used tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition to disperse protesters in multiple states including Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, and Jigawa. The government imposed curfews in several states and detained protesters for months afterward. In September 2024, authorities charged 10 protesters with treason. Food inflation exceeded 40% by June 2024, pushing more than 10 million additional Nigerians into poverty according to World Bank estimates. Protests in 2024 followed similar demonstrations over cost of living issues, with strikes and protests occurring periodically in recent years. The government and security agencies warned people against participating in protests, claiming they were politically motivated attempts at regime change. Demonstrations can turn violent with little warning, and security forces have a history of forceful suppression. Civil society organizations condemned the violent disruption of protests by security operatives. States of emergency have been declared in various locations including Rivers State in March 2025 following militant attacks, resulting in heightened security presence and restrictions on movement.

Areas To Avoid

Multiple regions require careful consideration or complete avoidance. The northeastern states of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa face active insurgency from Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province. Borno State remains the epicenter of terrorism with daily attacks, suicide bombings, and mass displacement of populations. Northwestern states including Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, and Kebbi experience heavy bandit activity with armed groups conducting raids, mass kidnappings, and demanding protection payments from farmers. Villages in Zamfara are constantly under siege, and residents have been forced to pay bandits to access their own farmland. The north-central states of Plateau, Niger, and Kogi experience violent intercommunal clashes, bombings, and increased kidnapping activity. Southern Kaduna has seen repeated outbreaks of ethnic and religious violence. The Niger Delta states including Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Abia, Anambra, Imo, and Enugu face risks from militant groups, cult-related violence, gang wars, oil bunkering crime, and kidnappings. Riverine areas accessible only by boat pose particular dangers. Port Harcourt experiences cult violence, gang wars, and kidnappings despite being oil-rich. Major highways including the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Maiduguri-Damaturu Road, Makurdi-Jos route, and Ihiala-Okigwe Road are identified as dangerous hotspots for criminal activity. Border areas within 10 kilometers of Cameroon, Niger, and northern Benin face cross-border security threats. Major cities Lagos, Abuja, and Maiduguri experience security incidents, though Lagos and Calabar are considered relatively safer than other locations.