Travel Essentials › Nigeria
Travel Essentials
Plugs: Types D and G, 230 V. Emergency: One number for everything 112. Tipping: Not obligatory; 5-10% in upscale restaurants and small tips for drivers, porters and security staff are appreciated. Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water.
Types D and G, 230 V
| One number for everything | 112 |
Not obligatory; 5-10% in upscale restaurants and small tips for drivers, porters and security staff are appreciated.
Greetings. Greetings are important and often lengthy, with questions about family; greet elders first, using titles like Chief or Doctor. Shake hands, and in Yoruba areas men may prostrate and women kneel for elders. In the Muslim north, wait for women to offer a hand.
Use the right hand. Give and receive items, and eat, with the right hand.
Dress well. Nigerians generally dress smartly; modest, neat dress is appreciated, especially in the more conservative Muslim north.
Safety varies greatly by region: many governments advise against non-essential travel due to risks of terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery and inter-communal violence in parts of the country, while Lagos and other major cities require a high degree of caution but are visited regularly.
Sextortion / romance scams. Scammers build fake romantic relationships online then blackmail victims with intimate images; be wary of online relationships that quickly turn to requests for money.
Fake officials. Scammers posing as government officials or police may demand money; verify credentials and ask for a receipt for any legitimate fine.
Advance-fee ('419') scams. Unsolicited business or inheritance offers requesting upfront payment are a long-running Nigerian scam; never send money to claim a prize or inheritance.
Women travelers. Women travelers should take extra precautions, avoid walking alone especially after dark, keep valuables hidden, and use trusted transport and accommodation.
Death penalty
Same-sex relationships and LGBTQ+ advocacy are criminalized nationwide under the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act of 2014 (up to 14 years' imprisonment); in northern states under Sharia law, penalties can include caning or death. Enforcement is active and LGBTQ+ travelers face serious risk; discretion is essential.
| Coffee (café) | NGN 2,500 | $1.60 |
| Local bus or metro ride | NGN 300-600 | $0.20-0.40 |
| Mid-range restaurant meal | NGN 15,000-30,000 | $10-20 |
| Hostel bed / budget room (night) | NGN 15,000-45,000 | $10-30 |
| Mid-range hotel (night) | NGN 60,000-150,000 | $40-100 |
| Daily budget, mid-range traveler | NGN 100,000-230,000 | $65-150 |
2026-09
The dry season, November to January, offers the most pleasant weather for sightseeing, markets and festivals; the rainy season (May-October) can bring severe flooding, especially in the south.
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