Is Nigeria safe? 🇳🇬

Nigeria faces significant safety challenges that directly affect travelers, particularly in the north and northeast where Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgencies remain active. The UK FCDO advises against all travel to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, and Gombe states, and against all but essential travel to much of the northwest and north central regions, including Abuja. While Lagos and Abuja are noted as having better security in commercial and diplomatic zones, risks such as armed robbery and pickpocketing persist, especially at night and in crowded areas like markets and the Mile 2 corridor on the Badagry expressway. Recent incidents underscore the ongoing threat: in September and October 2026, mass kidnappings left hundreds captive, prompting protests and highlighting the persistence of criminal armed groups. Scams targeting visitors are widespread, including advance-fee fraud, fake police checkpoints, and ATM skimming, requiring vigilance with money and personal data. Travelers who do go should restrict movement to daylight hours, avoid isolated routes, use hotel-based currency exchange, and conceal valuables. Registering with one’s embassy and avoiding protests or large gatherings are essential precautions. Despite government assurances and efforts to combat organized crime, the overall environment remains high-risk, and non-essential travel is discouraged by multiple Western governments. Safety is not uniform, but even in relatively safer cities, constant awareness is required.