Africa · Western AfricaOutline guideCountry in West Africa
Photo: Wang-gp, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Nigeria (Hausa: Najeriya, Igbo: Naíjíríà, Nigerian Pidgin: Naijá, Tyap: Naijeriya, Yoruba: Nàìjíríà) is a large country in equatorial West Africa, the most populous country of the continent, with about 216 million people in 2022. Rich in diversity and landscapes, the country is home to more than 250 ethnic groups and 500 languages.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Nigeria.
Cards and cash
If you have a Visa card, you can withdraw money from Standard Chartered Bank ATMs in Lagos on Aromire St, off Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja & Ajose Adeogun St in Victoria Island Branch, Abuja and Port Harcourt (in Naira) and ATMs of some other banks with "Visa"…
English
More than 500 languages are spoken in the country, making Nigeria one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world.
Mobile networks
The bottled water and other soft drinks are safe.
Travellers to Nigeria are required to vaccinate themselves against yellow fever, preferably 10 days before arrival in Nigeria. As malaria is prevalent, malaria pills and mosquito nets are also recommended.
Respect for elders is a part of Nigerian culture. If someone in a position of authority (policeman, teacher, someone older than you, and the like) tells you to do something, respect them and do it.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the capital, with beautiful rolling terrain and modern Nigerian architecture
city of the Edo people and rich cultural state
oil region, with the world's highest concentration of butterflies in the surrounding regions
the coal city
geographically the largest city in Africa
important Hausa city, commercial hub of the north
second most populous city in Africa, former colonial capital and huge commercial hub, economic capital of Nigeria
home of the Sacred Grove of Osun, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
a seven-part waterfalls in an area of tropical rainforest.
inside the old Kanem-Borno Empire (present-day Borno and the Yobe states).
primary moist tropical rainforests in the north and central parts, with mangrove swamps on the coastal zones.
Nigeria’s largest national park, near the border with Cameroon
a protected savannah in North Central Nigeria
protects typical Savannah vegetation with easy viewing of wildlife and landscape
part of a rainforest ecosystem that is the habitat for many vulnerable species of flora and fauna.
named after the Oyo Empire this large park combines archaeological, cultural and historical aspects.
Places in Nigeria on the World Heritage List.
Sukur
Listed 1999
Osun-Osogbo Grove
Listed 2005
Royal Palace Of Oba Of Benin
Sukur Kingdom
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
The most significant section of Nigeria, with the country's largest city, Lagos
South South Nigeria is a region of Nigeria comprising the following states: Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers.
The region that contains the five Igbo speaking states of Nigeria with a population of over twenty million, which contains large mineral deposits and natural resources.
North Central Nigeria is a region of Nigeria. It is the larger chunk of the Nigerian Middle Belt, and is composed of the following states: Benue State, Kogi State, Kwara State, Nasarawa State, Niger State, Plateau State, and the Federal Capital Territory.
Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger State, Plateau, Federal Capital Territory
The North West is a region of Nigeria, composed of Jigawa State, Kaduna State, Kano State, Katsina State, Kebbi State, Sokoto State, and Zamfara State.
North East Nigeria is a region of Nigeria that occupies slightly less than one-third of Nigeria's total area and had a projected population for 2023 of more than 30 million, or about one-eighth of the national total. The Fulani are the largest tribe across the region.
Public transport and paid services in Nigeria.
By train
After having been abandoned for a long time, rehabilitation of rail services in Nigeria is finally in full swing.
By bus
Getting around is relatively easy, except that there could be delays due to traffic jams within most major cities.
By car
You may want to hire a car with a driver. The road systems in Nigeria are passable, though quite poor compared with North America or Europe.
By plane
There are also airports in most states of the federation, and domestic air travel is widespread.
By taxi
Ride-hailing is available in Nigeria and the following are the most anticipated providers:
By okada
The okada (motorcycle) is not for the faint-hearted.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Nigeria.
Finding apps for Nigeria…
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Lagos · International · LOS
Loading places around the airport…
Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Abuja
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 33° | 35° | 35° | 33° | 31° | 29° | 28° | 27° | 28° | 29° | 31° | 32° |
| Avg. low | 17° | 20° | 22° | 23° | 23° | 22° | 21° | 21° | 21° | 21° | 19° | 16° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 2 | 6 | 15 | 86 | 132 | 147 | 202 | 253 | 215 | 117 | 9 | 1 |
| Humidity | 41% | 43% | 54% | 69% | 80% | 84% | 86% | 87% | 86% | 83% | 65% | 48% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$30
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$70
Per person, per day
Luxury
$185
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $15 | $40 | $110 |
| Food and drink | $5 | $15 | $30 |
| Local transport | $5 | $5 | $15 |
| Activities | $5 | $10 | $30 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 3 of 4Reconsider travel
Reconsider travelto Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, and inconsistent availability of health care services. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Crime and Kidnapping Violent crime is common throughout Nigeria. 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. Americans are perceived as wealthy and are often targets of crime and kidnapping. Kidnapping gangs have stopped drivers on interstate roads in order to rob and kidnap victims. Terrorism There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Nigeria. Terrorists continue plotting and carrying out attacks in Nigeria. Terrorists collaborate with local gangs to expand their reach. They may attack with little or no warning, including: Shopping centers and malls Markets Hotels Places of worship Restaurants and bars Schools Government buildings Transportation hubs Public places where crowds gather Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more. Unrest Civil unrest and armed gangs are active in parts of Southern Nigeria. 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. Violence can occur between communities of farmers and herders in rural areas. Unreliable health care Americans should not expect the same level of health care to be…
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel North East Nigeria FCDO advises against all travel to: Borno State Yobe State Adamawa State Gombe State FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: Bauchi State North West Nigeria FCDO advises against all travel to: Katsina State Zamfara State Sokoto State FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: Kaduna State Kano State Kebbi State Jigawa State North Central Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, including Abuja FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: Niger State Kogi State Plateau State Taraba State Kwara State Benue State South East and South South Nigeria FCDO advises against all travel to the riverine areas (the river and swamp locations accessible by boat, but not by road) of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: Abia State non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers States Anambra State Imo State Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and…
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Nigeria.
Food & drinkNigerian cuisine consists of dishes or food items from the hundreds of ethnic groups that comprise Nigeria from the north to the south to the east and the west. Nigeria is home to numerous varieties of foods.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesLagos-Ibadan Railway is a 157-kilometre rail trip in South West Nigeria from Ebute Metta in Lagos to Moniya in Ibadan. The trip is a section of the proposed Lagos to Kano Standard Gauge Rail Project.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsLasting from the 1500s to the 1800s, the Atlantic slave trade was a crime against humanity of extraordinary proportions, leaving a huge mark on four continents and irreversibly changing world history and geopolitics.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsDriving a car gives a traveller more independence and flexibility than scheduled transportation, such as air travel, rail travel, or bus travel, and may be faster or more comfortable than cycling.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesItineraries in Africa
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureMany of these parks are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. They can be visited for safaris, to see the African flora and fauna.
Wikivoyage
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