U.S. Warns Citizens to Reconsider Travel to Nigeria Over Security, Health Concerns

The United States (US) government has urged its citizens to reconsider traveling to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed gangs, and inconsistent availability of health care services.

The United States government issued the warning on July 15, 2025 in a fresh travel advisory to its citizens published on the website of the US Mission in Nigeria.

It also warned that some places in Nigeria have an increased risk, saying: “Overall, all locations carry significant security risks. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

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“Do Not Travel to: Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and northern Adamawa states due to terrorism and kidnapping. Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states due to kidnapping. Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states (with the exception of Port Harcourt) due to crime, kidnapping, and armed gangs.

“Country Summary: Violent crime is common in the country. This includes armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping, hostage-taking, roadside banditry, and rape.

“Kidnappings for ransom happen often. They primarily target dual national citizens visiting Nigeria and U.S. citizens perceived as wealthy. Kidnapping gangs have also stopped victims on interstate roads.”

On terrorism, the US government warned that there is risk of terrorist violence in Nigeria. This includes terrorist attacks and other activities.

It said terrorists continue plotting and carrying out attacks in Nigeria. Terrorists collaborate with local gangs to expand their reach, warning that they may attack with little or no warning, including:S hopping centers and malls, markets, hotels, places of worship, restaurants and bars, schools, government buildings, transportation hubs and ublic places where crowds gather.

On gangs and crime, the US government warned its citizens that civil unrest and armed gangs are active in parts of Southern Nigeria, saying that this is especially true in the Niger Delta and Southeast regions.

“Armed crime and gangs are common in the area. Crimes include kidnapping and assaults on Nigerian security services,” it said, saying that violence can flare up between communities of farmers and herders in rural areas.

US citizens have also been warned about the unreliable health care in Nigeria, telling them not to expect the same level of health care to be available in Nigeria as they do in the United States.

“Nigerian medical facilities are generally not equipped to U.S. or European standards. Many medicines are not available. This includes common medications for diabetes or asthma,” the government warned.

“Bring enough over-the-counter and prescription medicines to last your entire stay in Nigeria. Update vaccinations to include all standard vaccinations, plus yellow fever, meningitis, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and a polio booster.

“All visitors should take Malaria prophylaxis. Nigeria is high risk for Malaria. Counterfeit pharmaceuticals are a common problem. Hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.

“Most hospitals and doctors do not accept U.S. health insurance. Emergency services like those in the United States or Europe do not exist.B lood supply is often unreliable.

“Ambulance services are unreliable, have poor equipment, and often do not have trained paramedics. We strongly recommend getting traveler’s insurance, including medical evacuation insurance, before traveling.”

The Department of State stated that it does not pay medical bills for U.S. citizens overseas. It said this is because the U.S. Medicare/Medicaid do not work overseas.

Due to security risks, the U.S government said its employees cannot provide emergency services to U.S citizens in many areas of Nigeria.