U.S. Issues Travel Advisory Warning Citizens About Visiting Nigeria

The United States government has released a new travel advisory cautioning its citizens against traveling to Nigeria due to escalating security risks, limited healthcare access, and rising incidents of kidnapping, terrorism, and armed gang activity. The advisory forms part of the U.S. security review that guides travelers on high-risk destinations, particularly in Africa.

In addition to Nigeria, the U.S. identified 11 other African countries—Somalia, Libya, Burkina Faso, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Burundi, Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Niger, and Chad—as high-risk areas. The travel advisory uses a four-level risk system, with Level Four (“Do Not Travel”) indicating the highest danger, while Level Three (“Reconsider Travel”) signals significant security concerns.

According to a statement by the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, all locations in the country carry “significant security risk,” with 18 states classified as the most dangerous. Travelers were advised to avoid these states entirely.

Specifically, the U.S. warned against visiting Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and northern Adamawa states due to terrorism and kidnapping risks; Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states because of frequent kidnappings; and Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states due to crime, kidnapping, and gang activity.

The statement highlighted the prevalence of violent crime across Nigeria, including armed robbery, carjacking, assault, roadside banditry, kidnapping, and sexual assault. Kidnapping for ransom frequently targets dual nationals and perceived wealthy U.S. citizens, sometimes occurring on interstate highways. Terrorist threats also persist, with potential attacks at public spaces, shopping centers, markets, hotels, religious sites, schools, government buildings, and transport hubs.

The advisory further emphasized the risks posed by gangs and civil unrest, particularly in Southern Nigeria’s Niger Delta and Southeast regions, where armed groups regularly attack security forces and civilians.

Healthcare services in Nigeria were described as limited compared to U.S. or European standards. Many hospitals and clinics lack essential equipment, medicines, and reliable blood supplies, and generally do not accept U.S. health insurance. Travelers were urged to bring sufficient prescription and over-the-counter medications and ensure vaccinations are up-to-date, including for yellow fever, meningitis, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A and B, and polio.

Due to Nigeria’s high malaria risk and the prevalence of counterfeit drugs, the U.S. also advised taking malaria prophylaxis and securing travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage before visiting.