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 travelAvoid 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 cautionLagos 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.
Common scams: Currency exchanges at unfavorable rates; fake tour guides; overpriced taxis claiming meters are broken. Use ride-share apps (Uber, Bolt) for transport.
Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06
Southeast (Igbo region): Enugu & Calabar
Exercise increased cautionThe 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.
Common scams: Advance-fee schemes targeting foreigners; unlicensed tour operators. Use registered hotels and agencies.
Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06
North-Central (Abuja, Plateau, Niger)
Exercise increased cautionAbuja 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.
Common scams: Unofficial guides offering cut-price excursions; currency traders; inflated accommodation rates.
Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06
Northern Region (Hausa-Fulani: Kano, Katsina, Sokoto)
Reconsider travelNorthern 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.
Common scams: Not primary concern; security risk is paramount.
Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06
Niger Delta (Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta states)
Reconsider travelThe 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.
Common scams: Criminal activity exceeds tourism concerns.
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.
Emergency Contacts
Police, national emergency line
police
The UK Foreign Office gives 112 as the single number to call to report an emergency in Nigeria. The Canadian government lists both 112 and 199 for police, so 199 is still in circulation. Canada also advises travellers to carry contact details for local police and medical facilities rather than relying on the national line alone.
SourceFire service, national emergency line
fire
The Canadian government lists 112 or 199 for firefighters. Fire response is organised at state level, so what arrives depends heavily on where you are.
SourceAmbulance, national emergency line
ambulance
The UK Foreign Office states there is no national ambulance service with robust coverage in Nigeria, and that you may need to arrange local transport or ask locally for guidance rather than wait for an ambulance. Treat the national line as a first call and not as a plan.
SourceLagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS)
ambulance · Lagos
The Lagos State Ministry of Health lists 767 and 112 as emergency lines and 123 as a dedicated hotline linking the public to LASAMBUS, the state emergency medical service and the ministry. The ministry page does not say which number reaches which of the two services, so try 767 first and 123 if it does not connect.
SourceReddington Multi-Specialist Hospital
hospital · Lagos
12 Idowu Martins Street, Victoria Island, Lagos
A private hospital on Victoria Island running a 24 hour emergency service, which is where most visitors staying on the island are taken or choose to go. Private care in Nigeria is paid up front, so expect to settle the bill or show insurance before treatment.
SourceNational Hospital Abuja
hospital · Abuja
Plot 132 Central Business District, PMB 425, Garki, Abuja
The main federal referral hospital in the capital. Neither published number is designated an emergency line on the hospital's own site, so they may reach a switchboard rather than the accident and emergency department.
Source