Nigeria

See the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Nigeria for information on U.S.-Nigeria relations.

Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:  You may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.  Roads are generally in poor condition, causing damage to vehicles and contributing to hazardous traffic conditions.  There are few working traffic lights or stop signs and few traffic control officers to manage traffic during power outages.  The rainy season, generally from May to October, is especially dangerous because of flooded roads and water-concealed potholes.

All drivers and passengers should wear seat belts, lock doors, and keep windows closed.  It is important to secure appropriate automobile insurance.  Drivers and passengers of vehicles involved in accidents resulting in injury or death have experienced extra-judicial actions, i.e., mob attacks, official consequences such as fines and incarceration, and/or confrontations with the victim's family.  Driving between 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. should be done with extreme caution, as bandits and police roadblocks are more numerous at night.  Automobiles, trucks, or "okadas" often drive on the wrong side of the road or on sidewalks.  These vehicles are difficult to see at night because streets are poorly lit, and many vehicles are missing headlights, tail lights, and reflectors.

Traffic Laws and Culture:  Motor vehicle accidents can be reported by dialing “119,” the local equivalent to 911.  Traffic control officers may occasionally seek bribes when citing drivers for traffic violations.  Excessive speed, unpredictable driving habits, lack of basic maintenance and safety equipment on many vehicles, and the absence of any official vehicle inspection for roadworthiness all present additional hazards.  Motorists seldom yield the right-of-way and give little consideration to pedestrians and cyclists.  Accidents on highways with high casualties are common.  Chronic fuel shortages have led to long lines at service stations, which disrupt or block traffic for extended periods.

Public Transportation:  We recommend avoiding public transportation throughout Nigeria. Public transportation vehicles, such as buses and motorbikes, are unsafe due to poor maintenance, high speeds, and overcrowding.  Motorbike taxis, known in Nigeria as "okadas," offer a common form of public transportation in many cities and pose serious danger to other motorists, their own passengers, and pedestrians.  Motorbikes are banned within Abuja's city limits and many major thoroughfares in Lagos.  Okada drivers and passengers are required to wear helmets in a number of cities in the country; police can fine violators on the spot. Passengers in local taxis have been driven to secluded locations where they were attacked and robbed.  Several of the victims required hospitalization.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.  Also, we suggest that you visit the website of Nigeria’s National Tourism Ministry.

Aviation Safety Oversight:  The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Nigeria’s air carrier operations.  Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

Safety and Security

Please see our most recent Travel Warning for more detailed information.

There are significant risks associated with travel in Nigeria, including terrorist attacks, kidnappings, crime, and communal or political violence.

Be especially vigilant in/around:

• churches
• mosques
• other places of worship
• locations where large crowds may gather
• hotels
• clubs
• restaurants
• markets
• shopping malls  

Be aware of current situations, including curfews, travel restrictions, and states of emergency in the areas you are in or plan to visit.

The terrorist group Boko Haram has carried out numerous attacks on civilian and government targets in recent years, killing or wounding thousands of people.  While northeastern Nigeria is the epicenter of Boko Haram activities, the group has taken responsibility for attacks in Jos, the Federal Capitol Territory, and Lagos.

Kidnappings remain a security concern throughout the country. Kidnappings in recent years have resulted in the deaths of foreign nationals, including several killed by their captors during military-led raids/rescue operations.

Crime:  Armed muggings, assaults, burglaries and home invasions, car-jackings, rape, and extortions occur regularly and often involve violence.  Law enforcement authorities usually respond slowly or not at all and provide little or no investigative support to victims.

See the Department of State and the FBI pages for more information on scams.

Victims of Crime:  Report crimes to the local police and contact the Embassy or Consulate. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.  See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.

We can:

• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist in reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends with your consent
• explain the local criminal justice process
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited support in cases of destitution
• replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy or Consulate for assistance.

For further information:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the State Department's travel website for Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts.
• Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. 
• See traveling safely abroad for useful tips.