Nigeria: travel laws for tourists, topic by topic

Extreme

Overall verdict for Nigeria: Extreme. Below, the risk level of each of the 23 topics that get travellers fined or arrested. The exact rule, thresholds and penalties are in the LawsTravels app.

Nigeria: read the 3 riskiest rules free →

🎁 Free, no account: Drugs, Theft & scams, Sex & dating

The 23 topics at a glance

Banned or serious riskAllowed, with limitsRelaxed

Get the exact rules for your trip

This page gives you the level. The app gives you the rule, the numbers and the penalties for Nigeria, offline, in 23 languages.

Nigeria: read the 3 riskiest rules free →

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How Nigeria compares

With 10 of 23 topics flagged red, Nigeria is stricter than 32 of the 41 other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (regional average: 7.3). Worldwide, Nigeria ranks #17 of 148 for strictness (tied with 6 other countries).

What sets it apart

Theft & scams: flagged red here, while only 12 of 148 countries are this strict.
Religion: flagged red here, while only 22 of 148 countries are this strict.
Vaccines & health: flagged red here, while only 32 of 148 countries are this strict.

What to watch most in Nigeria

🛡️ Theft & scams · Guides by topic

The friendly stranger who takes you to "a great bar" — you leave with a bill of several hundred euros.
"Your hotel is closed / burned down" from a taxi driver: he is taking you to the one paying him a commission.
The distraction pair: one spills something or asks directions, the other takes your bag.

🕌 Religion · Guides by topic

Blasphemy remains a criminal offence in dozens of countries, sometimes with very heavy sentences.
Proselytising — including handing out leaflets or discussing conversion — is illegal in several countries.
Tattoos of religious figures have led to deportations and arrests in South-East Asia.

Nigeria at a glance

CapitalAbuja

CurrencyNigerian Naira (NGN)

LanguageEnglish

Emergency number112

Driving sideRight

Mains voltage230 V

Calling code+234

Time zoneUTC+01:00

Plug typesD · G

Land borders🇧🇯 Benin 🇨🇲 Cameroon 🇳🇪 Niger 🇹🇩 Chad

Frequently asked questions

Is Nigeria strict with tourists?

Overall verdict: Extreme. 10 of 23 topics are flagged as banned or a serious risk (Drugs, Theft & scams, Sex & dating, Religion, Driving, Photo & video, Weapons, Jail risk, Drones, Vaccines & health), 12 require caution.

What can get me fined or arrested in Nigeria?

The strictest topics for travellers in Nigeria are: Drugs, Theft & scams, Sex & dating, Religion, Driving, Photo & video, Weapons, Jail risk, Drones, Vaccines & health. Each has specific thresholds and penalties, detailed in the app.

Where do I find the exact rules for Nigeria?

In LawsTravels: open Nigeria, each topic shows the level, the rule, the thresholds and what to do at customs, offline. 3 topics are free on every country; the other 20 unlock for the price of a coffee.

What is the emergency number in Nigeria?

In Nigeria, dial 112. Capital: Abuja. Currency: Nigerian Naira (NGN). Main language: English.

Which side of the road do they drive on in Nigeria?

In Nigeria, traffic drives on the right. Mains voltage: 230 V. Calling code: +234. Time zone: UTC+01:00. Plug types: D · G.

Countries with the closest profile

🇩🇿 Algeria 🇨🇲 Cameroon 🇲🇱 Mali 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso 🇪🇹 Ethiopia 🇺🇬 Uganda

Levels summarise publicly available legal information for travellers and are not legal advice. Laws change and enforcement varies: confirm with the embassy or consulate of your destination.