The United States government has issued a fresh travel advisory urging its citizens to reconsider visiting Nigeria, citing multiple security threats and concerns about the country’s healthcare system.
The advisory, published on July 15, 2025, by the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, warns that violent crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and inadequate medical services continue to pose serious risks to American travelers. The U.S. Department of State said that all regions of Nigeria carry significant security concerns, adding that some areas present extreme danger.
Specifically, the advisory instructs Americans not to travel to Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and northern Adamawa states due to terrorism and kidnapping threats. It also includes Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states because of the high risk of abductions. In the South, Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers (excluding Port Harcourt) were flagged for crime, armed gang activity, and kidnapping.
According to the advisory, violent crimes such as armed robbery, carjacking, assault, kidnapping, and rape are common across Nigeria. Kidnapping for ransom is described as widespread, particularly targeting dual nationals and Americans perceived as wealthy. There have been incidents of gangs intercepting victims along interstate roads to carry out abductions.
The United States also raised concerns about the threat of terrorism, stating that terror groups in Nigeria remain active and continue to plan and execute attacks in collaboration with local criminal gangs. Potential targets include markets, malls, hotels, restaurants, schools, places of worship, government offices, and other crowded public areas. These attacks may occur with little or no warning, the advisory noted.
In the southern parts of the country, particularly the Niger Delta and Southeast, the U.S. government said civil unrest and violent crimes committed by armed gangs are on the rise. It warned that clashes between farming and herding communities could flare up suddenly in rural areas, adding to the existing security challenges.
In addition to safety concerns, the advisory warned that healthcare in Nigeria falls short of U.S. and European standards. It pointed out that many hospitals lack basic equipment and that essential medications—such as those for asthma and diabetes—may be unavailable. The advisory also noted that counterfeit pharmaceuticals are a common problem in Nigeria, and most hospitals expect upfront cash payments, as they do not accept U.S. insurance.
The State Department advised American travelers to bring enough prescription and over-the-counter medications to last their entire stay in Nigeria. It also urged visitors to ensure they are vaccinated against diseases like yellow fever, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A and B, meningitis, and polio. Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended, as the country is considered high-risk.
Ambulance services in Nigeria were described as unreliable, with poorly trained paramedics and inadequate equipment. The U.S. government emphasized the importance of securing travel insurance that includes medical evacuation, as Medicare and Medicaid are not valid outside the United States and the government does not cover medical bills abroad.
The advisory concluded by noting that U.S. consular officials have limited ability to provide emergency services in many parts of Nigeria due to security restrictions on their own movements. The U.S. government urged all citizens considering travel to Nigeria to weigh the risks carefully and take all necessary precautions.
