U.S flags 18 Nigerian states as dangerous, warns citizens to avoid travel

The United States government has issued an updated travel advisory warning its citizens against visiting Nigeria, citing concerns over poor healthcare systems, rising cases of kidnapping, terrorism, armed gangs, and violent crimes.

The advisory, which forms part of the U.S. government’s global security review, categorised Nigeria as a high-risk destination and urged Americans to reconsider travel plans to the country.

It also flagged 11 other African countries, including Somalia, Libya, Burkina Faso, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Burundi, Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Niger, and Chad.

Countries were grouped into four risk levels, with level four meaning “do not travel” and level three calling for travellers to “reconsider travel” due to serious security threats.

In a statement released via its Mission in Nigeria and posted on its website, the U.S. government warned its citizens that all locations within Nigeria pose “significant security risks,” although 18 states were highlighted as particularly dangerous.

Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and northern Adamawa states were identified as hotbeds for terrorism and kidnapping, while Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara were flagged for frequent kidnapping cases.

The advisory also urged Americans to completely avoid Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states (excluding Port Harcourt) due to crime and the presence of armed gangs.

The advisory warned that violent crimes such as armed robbery, carjacking, assault, roadside banditry, and rape are widespread in Nigeria.

Kidnappings for ransom remain common and often target U.S. citizens or dual nationals perceived to be wealthy, especially those travelling on highways.

Terrorist activities remain a pressing concern, with attackers increasingly collaborating with local criminal gangs. Public spaces such as markets, hotels, worship centres, schools, and transport hubs are considered potential targets for attacks, often carried out without warning.

The advisory also raised alarms about Nigeria’s underdeveloped healthcare infrastructure, warning that U.S. standards of medical care should not be expected. Common medications are often unavailable, and hospitals require immediate cash payments as U.S. insurance is not accepted.

The report noted that emergency services are almost non-existent and that blood supply and ambulance response systems are unreliable.

The U.S. urged its citizens planning to visit Nigeria to bring sufficient medication for the duration of their stay and to ensure their vaccinations are up to date, including vaccines for yellow fever, typhoid, meningitis, cholera, hepatitis A and B, and polio.

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Travellers were also advised to take malaria prophylaxis, as the country is considered high-risk for the disease.

Finally, the advisory strongly recommended that all travellers secure comprehensive travel insurance, including medical evacuation coverage, before entering Nigeria.