• Official language: English
• Time Zone: GMT+1
• Climate: Tropical
• Calling Code: +234
• Electricity: 230 V / 50 Hz; type D and G plugs
• Capital City and US Embassy: Abuja
• Currency: Nigerian naira (₦; NRN)

With the exception of the business travel visa upon arrival option, yes, US citizens are required to have an entry visa to visit Nigeria.

Whether you’re traveling to Nigeria for work or pleasure, Entriva is here to make your visa application process as simple, straightforward, and hassle-free as possible. Here are some common types of Nigerian visas available through Entriva.

First and foremost, US citizens traveling to Nigeria need to have an official passport valid at least six months beyond your intended date of travel. It should also have at least two blank pages for visa stamps. You also need a valid visa relevant to your type of travel.

Along with your valid passport and visa, the Nigerian government requires visitors to show proof of vaccination against yellow fever and polio to the relevant official. When entering and leaving the country, you’ll also need to fill out entry and exit documents.

COVID-19 Restrictions: None. 

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that travelers be up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines. Before traveling, consult the Nigerian Ministry of Health and the CDC for any updated health and safety advisories. All incoming passengers to Nigeria are required to fill out a health declaration form, either upon arrival or online in advance. 

Due to “crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed gangs,” the US State Department has a Level 3 Travel Advisory set for Nigeria, strongly encouraging US travelers to reconsider travel. There is a Do Not Travel warning for certain areas as well, including Borno, Yobe, Kogi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Delta, and Enugu states.

The CDC has also posted several health notices for travel to Nigeria. There are Level 2: Practice Enhanced Precautions alerts for diphtheria, global polio, and yellow fever and a Level 1: Practice Usual Precautions alert for global measles.

For more up-to-date information about travel restrictions to Nigeria, check Entriva’s travel map, or with the US CDC, State Department, and/or embassy and consulates in Nigeria.

Due to Nigeria’s poor healthcare system, travelers should take precautions to keep themselves healthy during their travels. Before traveling, be sure to get any required and recommended vaccinations for protection against common illnesses, like malaria and yellow fever.

Insect-borne diseases are a widespread concern in Nigeria, so protect yourself by wearing long clothing, using insect repellent, and sleeping under mosquito nets. Travelers should also avoid drinking tap water and avoid going outside (or use masks) during the seasonal Harmattan dust storms.

Nigeria is currently a high-risk destination due to rising rates of crime, kidnapping, and terrorism throughout the country, but particularly in the northwestern, northeastern, and coastal areas. Travelers should avoid dangerous areas and take precautions like staying in at night, even in major cities like Lagos.

Nigerian citizens aren’t the only ones subject to local laws. There are many regulations travelers should be aware of as well, such as restrictions against photographing military installations, drinking laws in the Muslim-majority north, and smoking in public. LGBTQ+ travelers should know that homosexuality is outlawed in Nigeria and take measures to keep themselves safe.

If you’re arrested in Nigeria, alert your country’s embassy and seek the services of a reputable lawyer or law firm for assistance. Breaking the law in Nigeria can come with hefty fines and imprisonment, so you want to stay on the right side of the law during your travels.

In Nigeria, cash is still king. As a primarily cash-based economy, you’ll be using Nigerian naira for all your financial transactions. Learn more about where to safely get naira, tipping etiquette, and other money questions in our money, banking, and currency guide to the Nigerian naira.

Obtaining the proper visa is an essential part of planning your trip. At Entriva, we can easily and efficiently help you with every aspect of getting a Nigerian visa online. Start your visa application process.