Travel Smart

Honest, sourced guidance so you travel confident. Most of any country is calmer than the headlines suggest.

Safety

Countrywide advisory (Government of Canada)

Reconsider travel

Avoid non-essential travel (with regional advisories) Regional advisories apply; see the source for zone-level detail.

Source: Government of Canada · Verified 2026-07-26

Lagos & Southwest (Yoruba region)

Exercise increased caution

Lagos is Nigeria's commercial hub with beaches, art galleries, and nightlife. Surrounding regions (Abeokuta, Ibadan, Ile-Ife) are culturally rich but require awareness.

Avoid: Avoid nighttime travel in isolated areas. Lekki-Ajah corridor is generally safe but keep valuables secure. Some mainland neighborhoods (Mushin, Ajegunna) see petty crime.

Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06

Southeast (Igbo region): Enugu & Calabar

Exercise increased caution

The southeast is secure for tourism. Enugu, Calabar, and the Cross River region host colonial architecture, carnivals, and forest reserves.

Avoid: Avoid remote areas in Cross River state after dark. Local tensions around resource distribution can affect some rural communities; check locally.

Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06

North-Central (Abuja, Plateau, Niger)

Exercise increased caution

Abuja is Nigeria's capital and safe for tourists. Jos Plateau offers cool climate and tin mines; Niger state and neighboring zones see intercommunal tensions.

Avoid: Avoid rural areas of Kaduna, Plateau, and Niger states due to herder-farmer conflict history. Certain livestock routes are best not travelled alone.

Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06

Northern Region (Hausa-Fulani: Kano, Katsina, Sokoto)

Reconsider travel

Northern cities house ancient sultanates, indigo dye pits, and Hausa culture. Boko Haram and regional instability make this zone high-risk and not recommended for tourists without deep local ties.

Avoid: Borno, Yobe, and parts of Adamawa states are high-risk; Katsina and Kano states see occasional attacks. Road travel between cities is inherently risky.

Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06

Niger Delta (Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta states)

Reconsider travel

The Niger Delta is the engine of Nigeria's oil wealth and also a region of militant groups, kidnapping, and piracy. Not recommended for tourists.

Avoid: Avoid traveling to Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta state interiors. Port Harcourt itself sees armed robbery and kidnapping; coastal communities see piracy.

Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06

6 zones rated separately against Government of Canada, UK FCDO. Oldest check on this page: 6 July 2026.

How we source this

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