Overview
Security status
Avoid non-essential travel
Latest Travel Alert
We advise against all travel to the following areas:
- Adamawa state
- Bauchi state
- Borno state
- Gombe state
- Yobe state
- The coastal and river areas of the Niger Delta states (Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Cross River and Rivers states).
- Kaduna state
- Katsina state
- Zamfara state
We advise against all but essential travel to the following areas:
- Abia state
- Akwa Ibom state
- Bayelsa state
- Delta state
- Kano state
- Kebbi state
- Kogi state
- Jigawa state
- Jos city, Riyom and Barkin Ladi in Plateau state
- Rivers state
- Sokoto state
Citizens planning travel abroad should take into account the ongoing risk of testing positive for COVID-19 while abroad and are advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance that includes COVID-19 cover. Before departure and during travel, citizens are advised to monitor our Travel Advice, follow us on Twitter, and register with their nearest Irish Embassy or Consulate.
Travel to Nigeria
Nigeria continues to see positive cases of COVID-19. Public health measures, such as protocols for international arrivals, the use of facemasks, and social distancing in public settings, remain in place. Due to the low amount of testing, the true extent of COVID-19 infections in Nigeria is unclear; travellers should take precautions, even if official positive case figures are low.
Interim Travel Guidelines for Passengers arriving in Nigeria.
- In-bound passengers to Nigeria who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are no longer required to undergo COVID-19 PCR testing before boarding Nigeria-bound flights;
- Fully vaccinated passengers arriving in Nigeria are not required to undergo COVID-19 testing upon arrival. This also applies to children under the age of 18;
- In-bound passengers who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated are required to take a COVID-19 PCR test 48 hrs before departure and undergo Days 2 and 7 post-arrival PCR tests at their own cost;
- All in-bound passengers must register via the online Nigeria International Travel Portal;
Information on COVID-19 travel protocols for Nigeria, and access to the online portal, can be found here: https://nitp.ncdc.gov.ng/ Citizens are advised to contact their airline before travelling with any queries.
More information on COVID-19 related issues in Nigeria can be found on the below websites:
Nigerian Centre for Disease Control –https://ncdc.gov.ng/ twitter: https://twitter.com/NCDCgov?s=20
Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health website: https://www.health.gov.ng/
World Health Organisation
General Travel Advice
The security situation remains uncertain in many parts of Nigeria and there is a high threat from domestic terrorism. Be aware that there is an ongoing threat from the Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgency, which has caused substantial loss of life over the last decade.
Rallies, protests, demonstrations, and riots are common and may occur at any time. The security forces may use tear gas and/or live ammunition for crowd control. Keep up to date with local and international events and avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings. If you become aware of any nearby protests, leave the area immediately and monitor local media for up-to-date information.
There is a high risk of kidnapping throughout Nigeria. We advise to take security precautions along the lines mentioned further below. In addition, when arranging appointments in Nigeria, ensure that the attendees are known to you and that the meeting is held in a secure location. Many kidnappings in Nigeria are commercial in nature, are often opportunistic, and can happen in any part of the country. There have been recent terrorist kidnappings, and while these have occurred mainly in northern Nigeria, they could also occur elsewhere. There are reports that Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorist organisations continue to actively plan to kidnap foreigners.
The Middle Belt states often experience outbreaks of localised violence, linked to civil unrest, land disputes and elections and such outbreaks can occur at short notice. Such occurrences can often be quickly followed by localised curfews imposed by the authorities. You are advised to avoid large crowds, political rallies, demonstrations and any large public protests or gatherings.
In the event that you encounter difficulties in the areas where the Department advises against all or all but essential travel to, the assistance that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or our Embassy in Abuja may be able to provide, is likely to be extremely limited. Before considering travel to these areas, we advise you to take professional security advice
For all other areas, we advise you to take additional security precautions. These might include: having the name and phone number of the driver collecting you at the airport;
• being wary of any last-minute driver changes;
• planning in advance how you are getting to and back from each meeting;
• considering a security escort if travelling in rural areas or at night-time;
• varying your routines;
• keeping others informed of your travel plans;
• following the security advice of your employer;
• staying only in secure accommodation;
• reviewing your security measures regularly.
Travellers to Nigeria should bear these factors in mind and pay careful attention to local news prior to and during travel to/in Nigeria.
You can contact the emergency services in Nigeria by dialling 199.