US Issues Stark Travel Warning for Nigeria, Nation Under Siege’ Amid Kidnapping, Poor Healthcare Concerns

The United States government has issued a severe new travel advisory for Nigeria, urging its citizens to “reconsider travel” due to a confluence of critical security and health concerns. The advisory, part of the US’s global security review for African nations, highlights the increasing rate of kidnapping, pervasive crime, terrorism, armed gangs, and the inconsistent availability of adequate healthcare services across the country.
The US Mission in Nigeria, in a statement posted on its website, cautioned that all locations within Nigeria carry “significant security risks.” While travel to Nigeria is not entirely prohibited, the advisory specifically designates 18 states as high-risk zones, advising citizens to avoid them completely. These include Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and northern Adamawa due to terrorism and kidnapping; Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara due to kidnapping; and Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states (excluding Port Harcourt) due to crime, kidnapping, and armed gangs.
The advisory paints a grim picture of the security landscape, stating that “violent crime is common,” encompassing armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping, hostage-taking, roadside banditry, and rape. Kidnappings for ransom are frequent, often targeting dual national citizens and US citizens perceived as wealthy, with gangs even stopping victims on interstate roads. The threat of terrorist violence is also underscored, with terrorists plotting and carrying out attacks with little to no warning in public places, and increasingly collaborating with local gangs to expand their reach. Civil unrest and armed gangs are particularly active in parts of Southern Nigeria, especially the Niger Delta and Southeast regions, leading to crimes like kidnapping and assaults on security services. The advisory also notes that violence between farmer and herder communities is common in rural areas.
Beyond security, the US government expresses significant concern over Nigeria’s healthcare system. The advisory explicitly states that “U.S. citizens should not expect the same level of health care to be available in Nigeria as they do in the United States.” It highlights that Nigerian medical facilities generally do not meet US or European standards, with many essential medicines, including common ones for diabetes or asthma, being unavailable. Travelers are advised to bring a sufficient supply of their own over-the-counter and prescription medicines and to ensure all standard vaccinations, including yellow fever, meningitis, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A and B, and a polio booster, are updated. Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended due to the high risk of the disease. The advisory also warns about the prevalence of counterfeit pharmaceuticals and the expectation of immediate cash payment for health services, as most hospitals and doctors do not accept US health insurance. Furthermore, emergency services akin to those in the United States or Europe are non-existent, with unreliable ambulance services, poor equipment, and a lack of trained paramedics. The blood supply is also often unreliable.
In light of these considerable risks, the US government strongly recommends that all visitors obtain traveler’s insurance, including medical evacuation insurance, before planning any trip to Nigeria.