World Safety Map

Safest cities in Nigeria

233 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04

US 3/4 Reconsider travelUK FCDO advises against all travel to parts of this country

Areas the UK FCDO advises against visiting

  • North East Nigeria
  • North West Nigeria
  • North Central Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, including Abuja
  • South East and South South Nigeria
  • Borno State
  • Yobe State
  • Adamawa State
  • Gombe State
  • Bauchi State
  • Katsina State
  • Zamfara State
  • Kaduna State
  • Kano State
  • Kebbi State
  • Jigawa State
  • Sokoto State
  • Niger State
  • Kogi State
  • Plateau State
  • Taraba State
  • Kwara State
  • Benue State
  • Abia State
  • non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers States
  • Anambra State
  • Imo State

In full or in part — the official advisory lists exact boundaries and exceptions.

What official travel advice warns about

Terrorism

  • Terrorism in NigeriaTerrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Nigeria.
  • Terrorist kidnapTerrorist groups are highly likely to carry out kidnaps in Nigeria. Kidnappings are widespread and could occur anywhere. Foreign nationals and humanitarian workers have been kidnapped in the North, including in the states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Katsina, Kano and Kebbi. There may be an increased risk of terrorist kidnap, particularly to NGO…

Political situation

  • Political rallies, protests and violent demonstrations can take place with little notice. Get advice on areas to avoid from local authorities, local news outlets or your travel operator. Take care if you’re visiting crowded public places or attending events which attract large crowds. If you see a threatening or intimidating situation, do not try…

Curfews and communication blackouts

  • The authorities impose, amend and lift curfews and restrictions on the movement of vehicles at short notice throughout Nigeria.

Crime

  • Street and vehicle crimeThroughout Nigeria there are high levels of violent street crime including muggings and armed robbery.
  • Withdrawing and exchanging moneyAreas around banks and ATMs have seen a spike in criminal activity, so take extra precautions when withdrawing cash, especially at night.
  • Financial scamsBritish nationals are increasingly targeted by scammers operating in West Africa. Scams come in many forms including romance and friendship, business ventures and work or employment opportunities. Scams can put victims at great financial risk. Be cautious about requests for funds, job offers, business ventures and face-to-face meetings with anyone…
  • Surrogacy and fertility treatmentIf you’re considering fertility treatment or surrogacy options in Nigeria, exercise caution. There have been reports of staged fake births, commonly referred to as ‘miracle babies’, where visitors are falsely led to believe that a birth has taken place.
  • Overseas AdoptionThe UK has restricted overseas adoption of children from Nigeria. If you bring a child who is not biologically related to you into the UK without following the legal procedures, you could face prosecution and the child may not be eligible for British citizenship.
  • Kidnapping for ransomKidnapping is widespread across Nigeria and criminal kidnaps can occur anywhere. The issue is particularly severe in the northwest (including Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Borno, Sokoto) but is also high in many central and southern states (including Niger, Kogi, Kwara, and the Abuja Federal Capital Territory).
  • Methanol poisoningThere have been deaths and cases of serious illness caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol in Nigeria.

Laws and cultural differences

  • Using a mobileYour SIM must be linked to a Nigerian Identification Number. Get guidance from your network operator.
  • RamadanNigeria has the largest Muslim population in sub-Saharan Africa. You should behave and dress modestly, particularly in the north and when visiting religious sites.
  • Illegal drugsPossession or use of illegal drugs, including cannabis, carries severe penalties in Nigeria. You should expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting.
  • Using cameras in secure areasPhotography of government, military buildings and airports may lead to arrest.
  • LGBT+ travellersSame-sex sexual activity is illegal in Nigeria with penalties of up to 14 years in prison. Some northern states observe Sharia Law which can prescribe the death penalty for same-sex sexual activity.

Transport risks

  • Road travelThe Nigerian Government has issued a warning about travelling at night in North Central Nigeria in response to security concerns.
  • Dangers at road checkpointsThere are authorised and unauthorised vehicle checkpoints throughout Nigeria. Some are for security checks, others to extort small payments of money. Slow down at any type of checkpoint and stay calm.
  • Nigeria land bordersAdditional checks are in place at the Nigeria-Benin, Nigeria-Niger and Nigeria-Cameroon land borders. If you’re planning to make a land crossing from Nigeria, check with the local authorities for the latest information before travelling.
  • Taxis and busesThere is a particularly high level of crime and little regulatory oversight on public transport, including taxis, in Nigeria. Taxis and long-distance buses are often poorly maintained, uninsured and driven by unqualified drivers. Most major hotels offer cars for hire with drivers, so use these where possible. Taxis, including online taxi app…
  • Sea travelThere have been armed robberies and incidents of piracy in Nigerian waters, the wider Gulf of Guinea, and on the rivers and harbours in the Niger Delta area. Mariners should get professional security advice and take appropriate precautions.
  • Swimming risksSwimming off the coast of Nigeria is sometimes dangerous due to rip tides and undertows, with drownings occurring each year. Get local advice before swimming.

Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Nigeria, updated 2026-08-20 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →

Country figures

Homicide rate
15.75 /100k2023
Income inequality
Gini 33.92022
Human development
HDI 0.5602023
Income
$9,230/yrGNI per capita PPP
Road deaths
20.7 /100kWHO, 2019
Political stability
32/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
Rule of law
40/100WGI, 2024
Corruption perceptions
26/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
Natural-hazard risk
7.2/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Women, Peace & Security
0.49GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
Air quality
65.7 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
Safe drinking water
30%of population, 2024 · WHO/UNICEF JMP
Healthcare capacity
0.4 doctors /1k0.5 hospital beds per 1,000
Malaria
294 /1k at riskWHO, 2024 · endemic countries only

Natural hazards

Flood
8.3/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Drought
3.1/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier

Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.

Same-sex sexual activity is criminalized in Nigeria, with the death penalty applying in law (as of 2025). This describes the law on the books, not necessarily enforcement practice.

How Nigeria compares

Nigeria against the median of all 180 countries in the dataset. Green means better than the median.
MeasureNigeriaWorld medianDifference
Homicide rate16 /100k2.4 /100k+13 /100k — better for World median
Income inequality (Gini)33.935.2−1.3 — better for Nigeria
Human development (HDI)0.5600.763−0.203 — better for World median
Road deaths20.7 /100k15.4 /100k+5.3 /100k — better for World median
Rule of law40/10052/100−12/100 — better for World median
Corruption perceptions26/10039/100−13/100 — better for World median
Air quality (PM2.5)65.7 µg/m³19.7 µg/m³+46.0 µg/m³ — better for World median
Natural-hazard risk7.2/103.8/10+3.4/10 — better for World median
And against its own region — often the more useful comparison, since Africa shares much of the context a global median averages away.
MeasureNigeriaAfrica medianDifference
Homicide rate16 /100k4.4 /100k+11 /100k — better for Africa median
Income inequality (Gini)33.938.5−4.6 — better for Nigeria
Human development (HDI)0.5600.563−0.003 — better for Africa median
Road deaths20.7 /100k28.2 /100k−7.5 /100k — better for Nigeria
Rule of law40/10042/100−2/100 — better for Africa median
Corruption perceptions26/10031/100−5/100 — better for Africa median
Air quality (PM2.5)65.7 µg/m³27.3 µg/m³+38.4 µg/m³ — better for Africa median
Natural-hazard risk7.2/105.2/10+2.0/10 — better for Africa median

Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.

All 233 cities, safest first

  1. Daura57.3 · #4671 worldwide
  2. Azare57.3 · #4672 worldwide
  3. Kishi57.3 · #4673 worldwide
  4. Kontagora57.3 · #4674 worldwide
  5. kazaure57.3 · #4675 worldwide
  6. Sangasumi57.3 · #4676 worldwide
  7. Misau57.3 · #4677 worldwide
  8. Katsiro57.3 · #4678 worldwide
  9. Amarawa57.3 · #4679 worldwide
  10. Dambatta57.3 · #4680 worldwide
  11. Birnin Kudu57.3 · #4681 worldwide
  12. Bida55.4 · #4833 worldwide
  13. Saki55.4 · #4834 worldwide
  14. Hadejia55.4 · #4835 worldwide
  15. Zuru55.4 · #4836 worldwide
  16. Gumel55.4 · #4837 worldwide
  17. Ningi55.4 · #4838 worldwide
  18. Egbe55.4 · #4839 worldwide
  19. Koko55.4 · #4840 worldwide
  20. Gummi55.4 · #4841 worldwide
  21. Kano54.3 · #4911 worldwide
  22. Zaria54.3 · #4912 worldwide
  23. Dutse54.3 · #4913 worldwide
  24. Unguwar Arewa54.3 · #4914 worldwide
  25. Zango Bichi54.3 · #4915 worldwide
  26. Alkalere54.3 · #4916 worldwide
  27. Unguwar Findi54.3 · #4917 worldwide
  28. Yanbarau54.3 · #4918 worldwide
  29. Gwarzo54.3 · #4919 worldwide
  30. Bauchi53.5 · #4984 worldwide
  31. Nguru52.9 · #5032 worldwide
  32. Isanlu Mopo52.9 · #5033 worldwide
  33. Sokoto52.0 · #5075 worldwide
  34. Argungu52.0 · #5076 worldwide
  35. Jega51.0 · #5130 worldwide
  36. Mokwa50.5 · #5157 worldwide
  37. Potiskum50.1 · #5183 worldwide
  38. Gwagwalada49.7 · #5197 worldwide
  39. Birnin Kebbi49.7 · #5198 worldwide
  40. Rubuchi49.6 · #5203 worldwide
  41. Abuja49.4 · #5212 worldwide
  42. Ado49.4 · #5213 worldwide
  43. Igboho49.1 · #5277 worldwide
  44. Igbeti49.1 · #5278 worldwide
  45. Igbokoda48.5 · #5334 worldwide
  46. Keffi48.5 · #5335 worldwide
  47. Okitipupa48.4 · #5340 worldwide
  48. Irele48.4 · #5341 worldwide
  49. Ajagba48.4 · #5342 worldwide
  50. Madalla48.2 · #5345 worldwide
  51. Iseyin48.1 · #5351 worldwide
  52. Ugborodo48.0 · #5354 worldwide
  53. Oke Iho47.9 · #5358 worldwide
  54. Brass47.9 · #5359 worldwide
  55. Koko47.7 · #5372 worldwide
  56. Ekeremor47.5 · #5381 worldwide
  57. Ife47.5 · #5384 worldwide
  58. Ngo47.5 · #5385 worldwide
  59. Iwo47.3 · #5395 worldwide
  60. Nembe47.3 · #5396 worldwide
  61. Ikot Aba47.2 · #5400 worldwide
  62. Malumfashi47.2 · #5402 worldwide
  63. Bonny47.1 · #5405 worldwide
  64. Funtua47.1 · #5406 worldwide
  65. Doka Ashafa47.1 · #5407 worldwide
  66. Oron47.0 · #5410 worldwide
  67. Ilorin47.0 · #5414 worldwide
  68. Sapele46.9 · #5417 worldwide
  69. Ogharefe46.9 · #5418 worldwide
  70. Ijagbo Offa46.8 · #5421 worldwide
  71. Ikirun46.7 · #5423 worldwide
  72. Eket46.7 · #5424 worldwide
  73. Ire46.7 · #5425 worldwide
  74. Warri46.7 · #5428 worldwide
  75. Amassoma46.7 · #5429 worldwide
  76. Omu Aran46.7 · #5430 worldwide
  77. Otun46.6 · #5435 worldwide
  78. Abat46.5 · #5441 worldwide
  79. Ogbomosho46.4 · #5442 worldwide
  80. Erin-osun46.4 · #5443 worldwide
  81. Ejigbo46.4 · #5444 worldwide
  82. Oshogbo46.3 · #5448 worldwide
  83. Ilesa46.3 · #5449 worldwide
  84. Ede46.3 · #5450 worldwide
  85. Oyo46.3 · #5453 worldwide
  86. Yola46.2 · #5457 worldwide
  87. Omuo-Obadore46.1 · #5466 worldwide
  88. Ikare46.0 · #5469 worldwide
  89. Akugba46.0 · #5470 worldwide
  90. Igarra46.0 · #5471 worldwide
  91. Oka-Akoko46.0 · #5472 worldwide
  92. Benin City45.8 · #5480 worldwide
  93. Ile Oluji45.7 · #5486 worldwide
  94. Idi-Iroko45.7 · #5487 worldwide
  95. Ado Ekiti45.7 · #5490 worldwide
  96. Ondo45.7 · #5491 worldwide
  97. Ikere-Ekiti45.7 · #5492 worldwide
  98. Aramoko-Ekiti45.7 · #5493 worldwide
  99. Ilawe-Ekiti45.7 · #5494 worldwide
  100. Effon Alaiye45.7 · #5495 worldwide
  101. Bodo45.6 · #5498 worldwide
  102. Akure45.6 · #5499 worldwide
  103. Calabar45.6 · #5500 worldwide
  104. Ikole45.6 · #5501 worldwide
  105. Bori45.6 · #5502 worldwide
  106. Idanre45.6 · #5503 worldwide
  107. Auchi45.5 · #5509 worldwide
  108. Ise45.5 · #5510 worldwide
  109. Dere45.4 · #5515 worldwide
  110. Kabba45.4 · #5516 worldwide
  111. Katsina45.3 · #5521 worldwide
  112. Emure-Ekiti45.3 · #5522 worldwide
  113. Owo45.3 · #5525 worldwide
  114. Bolo45.2 · #5529 worldwide
  115. Eruwa45.1 · #5531 worldwide
  116. Kaduna45.1 · #5532 worldwide
  117. Ore45.1 · #5535 worldwide
  118. Otite45.0 · #5537 worldwide
  119. Lokoja45.0 · #5538 worldwide
  120. Minna45.0 · #5539 worldwide
  121. Ijero-Ekiti45.0 · #5540 worldwide
  122. Ido Ekiti45.0 · #5541 worldwide
  123. Uyo45.0 · #5543 worldwide
  124. Mafara45.0 · #5545 worldwide
  125. Abak44.9 · #5549 worldwide
  126. Ikire44.8 · #5555 worldwide
  127. Ibadan44.7 · #5559 worldwide
  128. Igbo Ora44.7 · #5560 worldwide
  129. Yenagoa44.7 · #5563 worldwide
  130. Jalingo44.7 · #5564 worldwide
  131. Idah44.7 · #5565 worldwide
  132. Ago-Iwoye44.5 · #5579 worldwide
  133. Ijebu-Igbo44.5 · #5582 worldwide
  134. Agbara44.5 · #5583 worldwide
  135. Numan44.5 · #5584 worldwide
  136. Lagos44.4 · #5586 worldwide
  137. Ilaro44.4 · #5588 worldwide
  138. Nassarawa44.4 · #5589 worldwide
  139. Ijebu-Ode44.4 · #5590 worldwide
  140. Epe44.4 · #5591 worldwide
  141. Ogu44.3 · #5592 worldwide
  142. Ughelli44.3 · #5595 worldwide
  143. Sagamu44.3 · #5596 worldwide
  144. Ikorodu44.2 · #5598 worldwide
  145. Magboro44.2 · #5599 worldwide
  146. Ekpoma44.2 · #5600 worldwide
  147. Abeokuta44.2 · #5605 worldwide
  148. Dutsin Ma44.2 · #5606 worldwide
  149. KUNDULUN44.1 · #5610 worldwide
  150. Abonnema44.0 · #5612 worldwide
  151. Gusau44.0 · #5613 worldwide
  152. Bugama44.0 · #5614 worldwide
  153. Kaura-Namoda44.0 · #5615 worldwide
  154. Ogale44.0 · #5617 worldwide
  155. Titi43.8 · #5622 worldwide
  156. Gashua43.8 · #5623 worldwide
  157. Okrika43.7 · #5626 worldwide
  158. Zinna43.7 · #5627 worldwide
  159. Abua43.4 · #5646 worldwide
  160. Ikot Ekpene43.4 · #5648 worldwide
  161. Ikom43.4 · #5649 worldwide
  162. Port Harcourt43.2 · #5659 worldwide
  163. Arochukwu43.1 · #5661 worldwide
  164. Ubiaja43.1 · #5662 worldwide
  165. Uromi42.9 · #5676 worldwide
  166. Biliri42.7 · #5685 worldwide
  167. Kaltungo42.7 · #5686 worldwide
  168. Oyigbo42.7 · #5689 worldwide
  169. Obudu42.5 · #5696 worldwide
  170. Akinima42.5 · #5697 worldwide
  171. Igwuruta42.5 · #5700 worldwide
  172. Ugep42.5 · #5704 worldwide
  173. Bajoga42.3 · #5706 worldwide
  174. Abakaliki42.2 · #5709 worldwide
  175. Ayangba42.1 · #5715 worldwide
  176. Afikpo42.0 · #5718 worldwide
  177. Agbor41.9 · #5719 worldwide
  178. Gombi41.7 · #5723 worldwide
  179. Ohafia41.7 · #5724 worldwide
  180. Oleh41.7 · #5726 worldwide
  181. Abraka41.6 · #5729 worldwide
  182. Ahoada41.6 · #5731 worldwide
  183. Ozoro41.5 · #5733 worldwide
  184. Obiaruku41.4 · #5736 worldwide
  185. Aba41.4 · #5737 worldwide
  186. Aku41.4 · #5738 worldwide
  187. Nsukka41.4 · #5742 worldwide
  188. Mubi41.4 · #5756 worldwide
  189. Samunakar41.1 · #5766 worldwide
  190. Ogwashi-Uku41.1 · #5767 worldwide
  191. Nassarawan Eggon41.0 · #5770 worldwide
  192. Doma41.0 · #5771 worldwide
  193. Kwale40.9 · #5774 worldwide
  194. Omoku40.9 · #5775 worldwide
  195. Okposi40.9 · #5776 worldwide
  196. Damaturu40.9 · #5777 worldwide
  197. Ankpa40.8 · #5778 worldwide
  198. Abiriba40.8 · #5781 worldwide
  199. Omo40.8 · #5782 worldwide
  200. Otukpo40.8 · #5783 worldwide
  201. Wukari40.8 · #5784 worldwide
  202. Umuahia40.7 · #5787 worldwide
  203. Asaba40.7 · #5788 worldwide
  204. Enugu40.6 · #5791 worldwide
  205. Langtang40.6 · #5792 worldwide
  206. Onitsha40.6 · #5793 worldwide
  207. Lafia40.6 · #5795 worldwide
  208. Aboh40.4 · #5798 worldwide
  209. Owerri40.3 · #5806 worldwide
  210. Awka40.3 · #5807 worldwide
  211. Umu Lawlaw40.2 · #5809 worldwide
  212. Makurdi40.2 · #5810 worldwide
  213. Tarzoho40.1 · #5811 worldwide
  214. Enugu Umunze40.0 · #5814 worldwide
  215. Ngodo39.9 · #5817 worldwide
  216. Akwanga39.9 · #5822 worldwide
  217. Ishiagu39.8 · #5827 worldwide
  218. Biu39.7 · #5837 worldwide
  219. Gwolong39.6 · #5838 worldwide
  220. Gboko39.5 · #5843 worldwide
  221. Geidam39.5 · #5844 worldwide
  222. Mongu Arna39.2 · #5868 worldwide
  223. Kafanchan39.0 · #5872 worldwide
  224. Jos38.9 · #5875 worldwide
  225. Kagoro38.9 · #5876 worldwide
  226. Damboa37.3 · #5923 worldwide
  227. Michika36.8 · #5936 worldwide
  228. Maiduguri36.1 · #5944 worldwide
  229. Gwoza35.6 · #5953 worldwide
  230. Dikwa35.6 · #5954 worldwide
  231. Baga35.6 · #5955 worldwide
  232. Gamboru35.5 · #5960 worldwide
  233. Kasugula Bama35.1 · #5969 worldwide