The United States government has issued a fresh travel advisory urging its citizens to reconsider travelling to Nigeria due to widespread insecurity, terrorism, kidnapping, and what it describes as “inconsistent availability of health care services.”
In the Level 3 advisory published on 15 July 2025, the US Department of State warned that some regions in Nigeria now pose extremely high risks, with 16 states placed under the strictest Level 4 category — “Do Not Travel.”
Specifically, Americans have been advised not to travel to Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and northern Adamawa states due to terrorism and kidnapping; Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states due to kidnapping; and Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states (excluding Port Harcourt) due to crime, kidnapping, and violent gangs.
“Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed gangs, and inconsistent availability of health care services,” the advisory stated.
The US government painted a grim picture of the security situation in Nigeria, saying “violent crime is common in the country.” The advisory listed armed robbery, carjacking, rape, and kidnapping — particularly targeted at US citizens or dual nationals perceived as wealthy — as everyday threats in Nigeria.
“Terrorists continue plotting and carrying out attacks in Nigeria,” it warned, adding that they have expanded their reach by partnering with local criminal gangs. Targets include “shopping centres, markets, hotels, places of worship, schools, and public gatherings,” all of which could be attacked “with little or no warning.”
The advisory also raised alarm over Nigeria’s healthcare system, saying medical services fall short of US and European standards. “Many medicines are not available,” the State Department said, “including common medications for diabetes or asthma.” It also flagged unreliable blood supply, the risk of counterfeit drugs, and poor ambulance services.
The advisory warned that emergency services similar to those in the US “do not exist” in Nigeria and advised US citizens to “get comprehensive medical insurance that includes medical evacuation.”
Additionally, the Department stressed that “US government employees cannot provide emergency services to US citizens in many areas of Nigeria” due to prevailing security concerns.
In a separate but related development, the U.S. Embassy in Abuja has notified its citizens that beginning 1 August 2025, the Nigerian government will start enforcing strict penalties against foreigners who overstay their visas. This comes as part of Nigeria’s broader immigration reforms.
To this end, the Federal Ministry of Interior has opened an online amnesty portal available until 31 July 2025 to allow overstayed visitors to regularise their stay.
“All US citizens are reminded to adhere to Nigerian visa regulations to avoid complications,” the Embassy said in a public notice dated 10 July.
It added: “US citizens currently in Nigeria who have overstayed their visa are strongly encouraged to regularize their stay through the amnesty portal before July 31, 2025. Failure to do so may result in significant financial penalties and long-term restrictions on re-entry to Nigeria.”
According to the Nigerian government, foreigners who overstay beyond 1 August will face a daily surcharge of $15 per day. More severe penalties include a five-year re-entry ban for those who overstay for six months or more, and a 10-year re-entry ban for overstays of one year or longer.
The US Embassy welcomed the new online portal, which it said simplifies the process by allowing foreign nationals with expired documents — including visa-on-arrival permits, single-entry visas, or expatriate residence cards — to apply online without the need for long queues or visits to immigration offices.
The advisory concluded by urging US citizens who still choose to travel to Nigeria to exercise extreme caution, stay vigilant, and develop personal emergency plans that do not rely on US government intervention.
“Carry proper identification, including a U.S. passport with a current Nigerian visa,” it advised. “Avoid demonstrations and large political gatherings. Review your personal security plans. Have evacuation plans that do not depend on U.S. government help.”
The Nigerian government has yet to issue an official response to the latest US advisory.
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