Nigeria
Travel Destination – Nigeria
Nigeria is a country of more than 250 ethnic groups, with landscapes ranging from Atlantic coastline and rainforest in the south to savannah and Sahel in the north. Its history spans ancient civilisations, powerful kingdoms, and modern cities, with Lagos serving as the country's commercial and cultural centre.
Visitors can explore museums, galleries, heritage sites, and beaches in Lagos, while Abuja offers national landmarks and a more relaxed atmosphere. The historic city of Kano reflects centuries of trade and traditional culture, while Calabar is known for its annual carnival. Natural attractions include Yankari National Park, home to elephants and other wildlife, and Ikogosi Warm Springs, where hot and cold springs flow side by side.
The health preparation required for Nigeria is extensive, and the security picture across large parts of the country demands careful attention before any decision to travel.
Health Risks
Pre-travel preparation
Arranging an appointment with a travel doctor at least six to eight weeks before departure is an essential first step when planning travel to Nigeria. The country presents a broad and serious set of infectious disease risks, requires antimalarial medication for all travellers regardless of destination within the country, and may involve multi-dose vaccine courses that need time to be completed. A travel doctor will review your vaccination history, provide immunisation recommendations tailored to your specific itinerary, and write prescriptions for any medications needed.
If your departure is coming up sooner, see a travel doctor as soon as possible rather than waiting. Many essential preparations can still be completed on a compressed timeline. Medical facilities vary considerably across Nigeria. In Lagos and Abuja, private hospitals are available, though they typically require upfront payment and may have limited supplies of specialised medicines. Outside these cities, healthcare access is more limited.
Comprehensive travel insurance that covers emergency medical evacuation is essential, and all prescription medications, including a full supply of antimalarial tablets, should be obtained in Australia before leaving.
Insect avoidance
Mosquito-borne diseases are an important health consideration throughout Nigeria, making insect bite prevention essential for all travellers. Malaria is present year-round across the country. The Anopheles mosquitoes that transmit malaria bite mainly between dusk and dawn, while Aedes mosquitoes that spread Yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya, and Zika are active during the day. As a result, protection against insect bites is needed both day and night.
Apply insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin to exposed skin and reapply as directed, particularly after swimming or heavy sweating. Wearing long sleeves, long trousers, and closed shoes can further reduce the risk of bites. Air-conditioned or screened accommodation is preferable, and a permethrin-treated bed net should be used when sleeping in rooms without adequate mosquito protection. Treating clothing with permethrin before travel provides additional protection, especially for those spending time in rural areas, national parks, or basic accommodation.
Food and water hygiene
Nigerian cuisine is known for its bold flavours and includes dishes such as jollof rice, egusi soup, suya, pounded yam, and fresh seafood. Trying local food is often a highlight of visiting the country, but careful food and water hygiene is important to reduce the risk of gastroenteritis, cholera and hepatitis A.
Tap water should not be considered safe to drink. Use sealed bottled, filtered, or properly treated water for drinking, brushing teeth, and making ice. Avoid ice unless you are confident it has been made from safe water. Hot tea, coffee, and bottled soft drinks are generally safer choices than beverages prepared with water of uncertain origin.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating and after using the toilet. When handwashing facilities are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser. Choose food that is freshly cooked and served hot, as this carries the lowest risk of illness. Take care with salads, uncooked vegetables, unpasteurised dairy products, buffet food left at room temperature, and food from vendors where hygiene standards are uncertain. Fruit is safest when washed with safe water and peeled immediately before eating.
Rabies prevention
Rabies is found throughout Nigeria and is carried by dogs, bats, and other mammals. Because rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms develop, avoiding animal exposures is an important precaution for all travellers.
Do not approach, feed, or handle unfamiliar animals, including stray dogs, cats, monkeys, and bats. This applies in cities, rural communities, and national parks, as even healthy-looking animals can carry the virus. Pre-exposure rabies vaccination should be considered for travellers spending extended periods in Nigeria, visiting remote areas, working with animals, or undertaking activities that increase the likelihood of animal contact.
Any bite or scratch, or any contact between animal saliva and broken skin, the eyes, nose, or mouth, should be treated as a potential rabies exposure. Immediately wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes and seek prompt medical assessment. Access to post-exposure treatment may be limited in some parts of Nigeria, making prompt medical care especially important.
Our Travel Doctors
Our fully qualified doctors have an interest in travel medicine and immunisations. And they know travel. Their expert advice will be tailored for you, your travel companions and your trip.
Which shots do I need for Nigeria?
Yellow Fever
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Yellow fever is present throughout Nigeria, and vaccination is recommended.
Yellow fever is spread by mosquitoes that feed mainly between dawn and dusk, and in severe cases the infection causes jaundice, internal bleeding, organ failure, and can be fatal. The vaccine is administered as a single dose at a registered yellow fever vaccination centre, must be received at least ten days before arrival, and provides lifelong protection in the great majority of recipients. A health assessment should be completed with a doctor before the vaccine is given, as it is not suitable for everyone.
Meningococcal disease
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Meningococcal disease occurs at increased rates in parts of northern Nigeria, which lie within Africa's 'meningitis belt'. The disease is caused by bacteria that infect the lining of the brain and spinal cord and can progress rapidly, leading to serious complications or death if not treated promptly.
Meningococcal vaccination is recommended for travellers visiting northern Nigeria, particularly during the dry season from December to June, when transmission is more common. A travel doctor can advise whether vaccination is appropriate based on your itinerary, planned activities, and previous vaccination history.
Hepatitis A
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Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended for all previously unvaccinated travellers to Nigeria. Hepatitis A is a viral infection spread through contaminated food and water that affects the liver, causing symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, and jaundice. While illness can occur at any age, it is often more severe in older adults and those with underlying liver disease.
Because exposure can occur in a wide range of settings, including restaurants, private homes, and street food environments, vaccination is a sensible precaution for most travellers. The standard course provides long-lasting protection.
Typhoid
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Typhoid vaccination is recommended for most travellers to Nigeria, particularly those visiting smaller cities, rural areas, local markets, or eating outside well-managed hotels and restaurants.
Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella Typhi and is spread through contaminated food and water. Symptoms commonly include prolonged fever, headache, fatigue, and abdominal pain, and serious complications can occur without prompt treatment. Vaccination reduces the risk of infection but does not provide complete protection, making careful food and water hygiene important throughout the trip.
Rabies
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Rabies is found throughout Nigeria and is carried by dogs, bats, and other mammals. Because rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms develop, avoiding animal exposures is an important precaution for all travellers.
Do not approach, feed, or handle unfamiliar animals, including stray dogs, cats, monkeys, and bats. This applies in cities, rural communities, and national parks, as even healthy-looking animals can carry the virus. Pre-exposure rabies vaccination should be considered for travellers spending extended periods in Nigeria, visiting remote areas, working with animals, or undertaking activities that increase the likelihood of animal contact.
Any bite or scratch, or any contact between animal saliva and broken skin, the eyes, nose, or mouth, should be treated as a potential rabies exposure. Immediately wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes and seek prompt medical assessment. Access to post-exposure treatment can be limited in some parts of Nigeria, making early medical care especially important.
Mpox
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Mpox (formerly monkeypox) occurs in Nigeria and is spread through close contact with infected people, contaminated materials, and some animals. Symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a characteristic rash.
Most travellers are at low risk of Mpox. Avoid close contact with people who have an unexplained rash, avoid sharing personal items such as bedding or towels, and avoid contact with wild animals.
Mpox vaccination is not routinely recommended for all travellers, but may be appropriate for some higher-risk individuals depending on their planned activities. A travel doctor can provide individual advice.
Measles
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Travellers to Nigeria should ensure they are fully protected against measles before departure. Measles is a highly contagious viral infection spread through the air that can cause fever, cough, and a widespread rash, with complications including pneumonia and encephalitis.
All Australian travellers born during or since 1966 should have received two documented doses of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Polio
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Polio vaccination should be up to date before travelling to Nigeria. Poliovirus is spread through contaminated food and water and, although many infections cause few or no symptoms, the virus can occasionally affect the nervous system and cause permanent paralysis.
Travellers should have completed a primary vaccination course, and some adults may benefit from a booster dose depending on their vaccination history. A travel doctor can provide individual advice based on previous immunisations and travel plans.
Hepatitis B
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Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for many unvaccinated travellers to Nigeria. The virus is spread through blood and bodily fluids, including through sexual contact, medical or dental procedures, tattooing, piercing, and sharing of needles or other equipment.
Although many Australians received hepatitis B vaccine as part of childhood immunisation programs, some adults remain unprotected. Confirming vaccination status before departure is worthwhile, particularly as travellers may require medical treatment during their trip and standards of equipment sterilisation can vary between healthcare facilities.
Cholera
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Cholera is a bacterial gut infection caused by Vibrio cholerae in contaminated food or water, producing sudden, profuse, watery diarrhoea that can cause severe dehydration and become life-threatening without prompt treatment. Cholera circulates in Nigeria, with active cases documented across numerous states.
Oral cholera vaccine may be appropriate for some travellers depending on itinerary, activities, and individual health circumstances. A travel doctor can advise on suitability, and consistent food and water hygiene remains the primary protective measure for all travellers.
Routine vaccinations
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Travel to Nigeria is a timely reason to confirm that all standard immunisations are fully up to date, including measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. A tetanus booster is advisable if more than ten years have elapsed since the previous dose.
Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all travellers aged six months and over. COVID-19 vaccination should be current in accordance with Australian public health guidance, including booster doses for those aged 65 and over or with relevant underlying health conditions.
Nigeria
Other health risks in Nigeria
Malaria
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Malaria poses a risk throughout Nigeria year-round at all elevations. Prescription antimalarial medication is recommended for most travellers regardless of the duration of their stay.
The parasite is transmitted by mosquitoes after dark, infecting red blood cells and producing fever, shaking chills, severe headache, nausea, and muscle aching. Without prompt treatment, falciparum malaria can rapidly progress to life-threatening complications affecting the brain and other organs.
There are a few medication options for antimalarial chemoprophylaxis including atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, and mefloquine, and your travel doctor will provide advice on which is most appropriate. The full medication supply should be obtained in Australia before departure. Any fever arising during travel or up to one year after returning home warrants immediate medical assessment with travel history clearly disclosed.
Gastroenteritis
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Gastroenteritis and other gastrointestinal illness ranks among the most commonly reported health problems for visitors to Nigeria, caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites in contaminated food or water.
Diarrhoea, nausea, stomach cramps, and vomiting typically develop within one to three days of exposure. Keeping well hydrated with oral rehydration solutions is the most important aspect of managing mild to moderate cases, and most episodes improve within a few days.
Medical review should be sought promptly if symptoms are severe, contain blood, are accompanied by fever, or persist without improvement. Given cholera circulates in Nigeria, unusually severe or very watery diarrhoea warrants urgent assessment.
Dengue and Chikungunya
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Dengue is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes that bite throughout daylight hours, causing sudden high fever, severe headache, and significant muscle and joint pain. A proportion of cases develop into more serious illness.
Chikungunya, spread by the same mosquito species, produces a comparable acute illness with particularly pronounced joint pain that can persist for weeks to months after recovery.
No specific antiviral treatment is available for either condition. Consistent daytime insect protection remains the primary and most practical defence.
Zika virus
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Zika virus is present in Nigeria and is spread by Aedes mosquitoes, which bite mainly during the day. Most infections cause no symptoms, but some people develop fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes.
Zika virus is of particular concern during pregnancy because infection can cause serious birth defects. Pregnant women should discuss the risks of travel to Nigeria with their healthcare provider before departure. Travellers planning pregnancy should also seek pre-travel advice.
There is no vaccine routinely available for travellers and no specific treatment. Prevention relies on avoiding mosquito bites through the use of insect repellent, protective clothing, and screened or air-conditioned accommodation.
Lassa fever
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Lassa fever is an acute viral illness endemic to West Africa, including Nigeria, caused by the Lassa virus and spread through contact with food, household items, or surfaces contaminated by the urine or droppings of the multimammate rat.
Person-to-person transmission through direct contact with bodily fluids of an infected individual can also occur, and Nigeria accounts for the majority of cases reported globally each year.
Symptoms range from fever, weakness, and headache to haemorrhagic complications in severe cases.
No vaccine is currently available. Prevention focuses on keeping food in sealed containers, avoiding rodents and their droppings, maintaining hygiene around accommodation, and avoiding direct unprotected contact with anyone who appears seriously unwell with haemorrhagic symptoms.
Any fever developing during or after travel to Nigeria should prompt immediate medical assessment with full travel history disclosed.
Schistosomiasis
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Schistosomiasis (also known as bilharzia) is acquired when larvae released from infected freshwater snails penetrate intact skin during contact with contaminated water. Rivers, lakes, ponds, and slow-moving freshwater bodies throughout Nigeria carry this risk. Swimming, wading, and bathing in freshwater bodies should be avoided throughout the country.
No preventive vaccine or medication is available. Any traveller with potential freshwater exposure should arrange testing on returning to Australia, where effective treatment is accessible.
Tuberculosis
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Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection spread through the air when a person with active disease coughs, speaks, or sneezes. It most commonly affects the lungs and can cause a persistent cough, fever, night sweats, and weight loss.
TB is relatively common in Nigeria, although the risk for short-term travellers is generally low. The likelihood of exposure is higher for those spending extended periods in the country, working in healthcare or community settings, or having frequent close contact with local populations.
Pre- and post-travel TB screening may be worth considering for higher-risk travellers. Any persistent cough, unexplained fever, or weight loss after returning from Nigeria should be assessed by a doctor, with travel history disclosed.
Non-infectious conditions
Crime and unrest
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Security conditions in Nigeria vary considerably between regions, and travellers should review current government travel advice before and during their trip. Risks can include terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime, civil unrest, and opportunistic theft.
Kidnapping has occurred in both urban and rural areas, while petty crime such as pickpocketing, bag snatching, and phone theft is common in busy locations. Travellers should remain aware of their surroundings, avoid displaying valuables, and keep food and drinks under supervision in social settings.
Demonstrations and public gatherings can occur and may become unpredictable. Travellers should avoid affected areas, follow local advice, and monitor official travel advisories such as Smartraveller for updates relevant to their destination and planned route.
Safety on the roads and elsewhere
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Road conditions vary considerably, from sealed highways between major cities to poorly maintained rural routes, and driving standards and vehicle quality are inconsistent. Intercity travel by road carries elevated security risk in addition to standard road safety concerns, and should be undertaken only with reputable local operators.
All travel in Nigeria should be completed during daylight hours, as the risk of crime and accidents increases substantially after dark.
Deep vein thrombosis
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Prolonged immobility during the journey to Nigeria can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), particularly as flights from Australia typically involve multiple connections and extended periods of sitting. DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg.
To reduce the risk, travellers should move around regularly during flights, perform simple seated exercises such as ankle circles and calf raises, and stay well hydrated. Those with risk factors such as a previous blood clot, recent surgery, pregnancy, use of hormonal contraception, or significant overweight should discuss preventive measures, including compression stockings, with a travel doctor before departure.