Africa

Is Nigeria safe?

Capital: AbujaEnglish, Hausa, Yoruba, IgboUpdated October 2026

L3Reconsider travel

Is Nigeria safe?

Safety varies by region. Lagos, Abuja and the southwest are manageable with care; the northeast, northwest, parts of the Niger Delta and the southeast have terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and unrest.

Key facts

US travel advisory: Level 3: Reconsider travel, updated 2026-06-11.
Homicide rate: 15.7 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
Road deaths: 20.7 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
Emergency numbers: Police 199 · All emergencies 112.
Solo women: Doable in Lagos and Abuja with care; expect harassment and unwanted attention. Use ride apps, avoid walking alone at night, and be careful with new acquaintances.

Risks, scams and laws

Main risks

Kidnapping and armed banditry in the north, northeast and parts of the south
Terrorism: Boko Haram and ISWAP in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa
Armed robbery and mugging in Lagos after dark
Road crashes and unlit, potholed highways

Common scams

Advance-fee and romance fraud from online contacts
Fake police or 'immigration' officers demanding payment at checkpoints
Airport touts offering unofficial 'help' for a fee

Laws visitors break by accident

Same-sex relations are criminal under federal law; Sharia states add harsher penalties
Cannabis and other drug offences carry long sentences
Photographing government, military and airport sites can lead to detention

Safety by place in Nigeria

Place	Safety
Lagos	3/5 · Take real precautions
Abuja	3/5 · Take real precautions

Quick answers

Is Nigeria safe for tourists?

Safety varies by region. Lagos, Abuja and the southwest are manageable with care; the northeast, northwest, parts of the Niger Delta and the southeast have terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and unrest.

Is Nigeria safe for solo female travelers?

Doable in Lagos and Abuja with care; expect harassment and unwanted attention. Use ride apps, avoid walking alone at night, and be careful with new acquaintances.

What is the emergency number in Nigeria?

Police 199 · All emergencies 112.

Safety by place

Sources

Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.