US Warns Citizens Against Nigeria Travel Over Kidnappings, Poor Healthcare

The United States government has issued a fresh travel advisory urging its citizens to reconsider travelling to Nigeria due to ongoing security concerns and poor healthcare conditions.

In the updated advisory published on its website, the US Mission in Nigeria cited widespread kidnapping, terrorism, armed gangs, civil unrest, and unreliable medical services as key reasons behind the warning. The advisory categorizes Nigeria under “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” — just one step below the most severe “Do Not Travel” alert.

Eighteen Nigerian states were identified as high-risk and placed under “Do Not Travel” due to escalating threats. These include Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and northern Adamawa states due to terrorism and kidnapping; Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara for kidnapping threats; and Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers (excluding Port Harcourt) due to armed violence and gang activity.

The advisory warned that violent crimes — including armed robbery, assault, carjacking, and rape — are common across Nigeria, while kidnappers often target wealthy foreigners and dual citizens.

On healthcare, the US government noted that Nigerian hospitals generally fall below US or European standards. Many essential medicines, including those for diabetes and asthma, are often unavailable. Ambulance services are described as poorly equipped and unreliable, and immediate cash payments are usually required for treatment.

The US advised travellers to come prepared with all necessary medications, receive updated vaccinations, take malaria prophylaxis, and purchase travel insurance that includes medical evacuation.

Similar warnings were also issued for 11 other African countries, including Somalia, Libya, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.