🛂Visas & entry
- Most visitors need a visa arranged before travel. Visa on arrival has ended, and applications now go through the Nigeria Immigration Service e-Visa portal (evisa.immigration.gov.ng); see also portal.immigration.gov.ng.
- ECOWAS citizens can enter without a visa; everyone else should check their own requirements on the official portal.
- Your passport should be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive.
- Complete the online landing and departure card (lecard.immigration.gov.ng) and the NCDC health declaration (healthapp.ncdc.gov.ng) before flying.
- Rules change often, so check the official sites and your government's travel advice just before booking.
💉Health
- You'll need a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter; bring the original card.
- Malaria is present across Nigeria. Talk to a travel clinic about antimalarial tablets, and use repellent and mosquito nets.
- Drink bottled or properly filtered water, and be careful with ice and raw salads.
- Get comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical evacuation, as private healthcare is costly and facilities vary.
- The emergency number is 112, but ambulance services are very limited, so know where the nearest private hospital is.
💵Money
- The currency is the naira (₦). Nigerians pay mostly by bank transfer and card, but keep some cash for markets, small vendors and tips.
- POS card terminals are everywhere, but foreign cards are accepted mainly at larger hotels, restaurants and malls, so don't rely on them everywhere.
- ATMs dispense naira but may have low withdrawal limits and can run out of cash; use machines inside banks or malls.
- Change money only at banks or licensed bureaux de change, never with street changers.
- You must declare cash above US$10,000 (or equivalent) when entering or leaving.
📱Staying connected
- The main networks are MTN, Airtel, Glo and 9mobile; MTN and Airtel generally have the widest coverage.
- Visitors can register a local SIM with their passport; residents need a National Identification Number (NIN) linked to their SIM.
- Buy SIMs at official network stores rather than roadside sellers so registration is done properly.
- MTN and Airtel offer eSIMs for compatible phones, and international travel-eSIM apps are another option.
- Mobile data is cheap by international standards; top up via the network apps or at shops.
🔌Power & plugs
- Nigeria uses 230V, 50Hz power. The most common socket is the UK-style three-pin Type G, with the older round-pin Type D also found.
- Grid power outages are common, and many buildings rely on generators or inverters.
- When booking, look for stays that promise 24/7 power; it matters for air conditioning, Wi-Fi and a good night's sleep.
- Bring a power bank and a surge-protected adapter for your devices.
🚕Getting around
- Uber, Bolt and inDrive all operate in major cities. They are cheap by international standards and easier to trace than street taxis.
- Traffic, especially in Lagos, can turn short distances into long journeys; plan around rush hours.
- For long distances, domestic flights are usually faster and safer than road travel.
- Arrange airport pickup in advance through your hotel or host, and ignore unofficial 'greeters' in arrivals.
- Avoid intercity road travel after dark.
🛡️Safety
- The UK FCDO advises against all travel to some states (including Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina, Zamfara and riverine parts of the Niger Delta) and against all but essential travel to others. Check gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/nigeria.
- The US State Department rates Nigeria 'Reconsider Travel' overall and lists several states as 'Do Not Travel'. See travel.state.gov.
- In cities, keep phones and valuables out of sight, especially at car windows in traffic, and avoid walking alone at night.
- Steer clear of demonstrations and large political gatherings.
- Don't photograph government buildings, military sites or security personnel.
🤝Etiquette & culture
- Greetings matter: say hello properly before asking a question, and greet elders first and with respect.
- Use your right hand to give or receive things, and address older people as 'Sir', 'Ma', 'Aunty' or 'Uncle'.
- Dress modestly at religious sites and in the more conservative north.
- Tipping isn't compulsory, but small tips for drivers, porters and good service are appreciated; check whether a service charge is already on the bill.
- Bargaining is expected in markets; stay friendly and start well below the first price.
📅When to visit
- The dry season from November to March is the most comfortable time for most of the country.
- Harmattan, a dusty wind from the Sahara, brings hazy skies and cooler mornings from about December to February and can occasionally delay flights.
- The rainy season runs roughly April to October in the south and June to September in the north.
- December ('Detty December') is peak season, with concerts and homecomings. Flights and accommodation sell out and prices rise sharply, so book early.
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Checked 2026-09-28. Entry rules change often: always confirm on the official Nigeria Immigration Service site and your own government's travel advice.