Moving to Nigeria: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

6 facts — expand for details.

Population

236,747,130

Population Growth Rate

2.52%

Population Distribution

largest population of any African nation

significant population clusters are scattered throughout the country, with the highest density areas being in the south and southwest

Urban Population

• population: 54.3% of total population rate of
• urbanization: 3.92% annual rate of change

Population in Major Urban Areas

15.946 million Lagos, 4.348 million Kano, 3.875 million Ibadan, 3.840 million ABUJA (capital), 3.480 million Port Harcourt, 1.905 million Benin City

Population: Male/Female

• male: 119,514,449
• female: 117,232,681

13 facts — expand for details.

Age Structure

• years: 40.4% (male 48,856,606/female 46,770,810) 15-64
• years: 56.2% (male 66,897,900/female 66,187,584) 65 years and
• over: 3.4% (male 3,759,943/female 4,274,287)

Median Age

• total: 19.3 years
• male: 19.1 years
• female: 19.6 years

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

34

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

8.4

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

4.52

Gross reproduction rate

2

Child Marriage

women married by age 15: 12.3% women married by age 18: 30.3% men married by age 18: 1.6% note: due to prolonged insecurity concerns, some parts of states, including Borno state, were not sampled

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

16.6%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

16.6%

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

66.2%

Mean Age for Mother's First Birth (age 25-49)

20.4

Mother's mean age at first birth

20.4

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

• birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14
• years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64
• years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and
• over: 0.88 male(s)/female total
• population: 1.02 male(s)/female

2 facts — expand for details.

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

-0.2

Demographic profile

Nigeria’s population is projected to grow from more than 186 million people in 2016 to 392 million in 2050, becoming the world’s fourth most populous country.

Nigeria’s sustained high population growth rate will continue for the foreseeable future because of population momentum and its high birth rate.

Abuja has not successfully implemented family planning programs to reduce and space births because of a lack of political will, government financing, and the availability and affordability of services and products, as well as a cultural preference for large families.

Increased educational attainment, especially among women, and improvements in health care are needed to encourage and to better enable parents to opt for smaller families.

Nigeria needs to harness the potential of its burgeoning youth population in order to boost economic development, reduce widespread poverty, and channel large numbers of unemployed youth into productive activities and away from ongoing religious and ethnic violence.

While most movement of Nigerians is internal, significant emigration regionally and to the West provides an outlet for Nigerians looking for economic opportunities, seeking asylum, and increasingly pursuing higher education.

Immigration largely of West Africans continues to be insufficient to offset emigration and the loss of highly skilled workers.

Nigeria also is a major source, transit, and destination country for forced labor and sex trafficking.

Ethnic Groups

Hausa 30%, Yoruba 15.5%, Igbo (Ibo) 15.2%, Fulani 6%, Tiv 2.4%, Kanuri/Beriberi 2.4%, Ibibio 1.8%, Ijaw/Izon 1.8%, other 24.9%

Language Note

English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani, over 500 additional indigenous languages

Nationality Noun

• noun: Nigerian(s)
• adjective: Nigerian

5 facts — expand for details.

Literacy - total population

62%

Literacy - male

71.3%

Literacy - female

52.7%

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

0.5%

14 facts — expand for details.

Life Expectancy at Birth

• population: 62.2 years
• male: 60.4 years
• female: 64.2 years

Infant Mortality Rate

• total: 53.7 deaths/1,000 live births
• male: 58.9 deaths/1,000 live births
• female: 48.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

• total: 53.7 deaths/1,000 live births
• male: 58.9 deaths/1,000 live births
• female: 48.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

1,047

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

.38

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

.53

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

3.4%

Major Infectious Diseases - degree of risk

• risk: very high food or waterborne
• diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne
• diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and sexually transmitted
• diseases: hepatitis B water contact
• diseases: schistosomiasis animal contact
• diseases: rabies respiratory
• diseases: meningococcal meningitis aerosolized dust or soil contact
• diseases: Lassa fever note 1: on 4 May 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a Travel Health Notice for a Yellow Fever outbreak in Nigeria; a large, ongoing outbreak of yellow fever in Nigeria began in September 2017; the outbreak is now spread throughout the country with the Nigerian Ministry of Health reporting cases of the disease in multiple states (Bauchi, Benue, Delta, Ebonyi, and Enugu); the CDC recommends travelers going to Nigeria should receive vaccination against yellow fever at least 10 days before travel and should take steps to prevent mosquito bites while there; those never vaccinated against yellow fever should avoid travel to Nigeria during the outbreak note 2: on 31 August 2023, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Nigeria is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine note 3: on 20 September 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated a Travel Health Alert for a diphtheria outbreak in several states in Nigeria; vaccination against diphtheria is essential to protect against disease; if you are traveling to an affected area, you should be up to date with your diphtheria vaccines; before travel, discuss the need for a booster dose with your healthcare professional; diphtheria is a serious infection caused by strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacteria that make a toxin from which people get very sick; diphtheria bacteria spread from person to person through respiratory droplets like from coughing or sneezing; people can also get sick from touching open sores or ulcers of people sick with diphtheria note 1: The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is reporting yellow fever outbreaks in multiple states (Bauchi, Benue, Delta, Ebonyi, and Enugu). Unless vaccinated, travelers should not visit these areas. Yellow fever is caused by a virus transmitted through bites of infected mosquitoes. Travelers to Nigeria should take steps to prevent yellow fever by getting vaccinated at least 10 days before travel and taking steps to prevent mosquito bites. note 3: There is an outbreak of diphtheria in several states in Nigeria. Vaccination against diphtheria is essential to protect against disease. If you are traveling to an affected area, you should be up to date with your diphtheria vaccines.

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

8.9%

Tobacco Use

• total: 3.7%
• male: 6.9%
• female: 0.5%

Alcohol consumption per capita

• total: 4.49 liters of pure alcohol
• beer: 0.73 liters of pure alcohol
• wine: 0.09 liters of pure alcohol
• spirits: 0.4 liters of pure alcohol other
• alcohols: 3.27 liters of pure alcohol

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

• improved: urban: 95.3% of population
• rural: 68.8% of population
• total: 82.6% of population
• unimproved: urban: 4.7% of population
• rural: 31.2% of population
• total: 17.4% of population

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

• improved: urban: 81.6% of population
• rural: 41.4% of population
• total: 62.3% of population
• unimproved: urban: 18.4% of population
• rural: 58.6% of population
• total: 37.7% of population

Underweight - percent of children under five years

18.4%

4 facts — expand for details.

Economic Overview

• Composition: Nigeria's economy is classified as mixed and emerging, combining market and command elements. It is diverse, with sectors such as agriculture, oil and gas, telecommunications, manufacturing, and services contributing to its GDP. However, the oil sector has historically been the dominant force in Nigeria's economy, accounting for a significant portion of government revenue and export earnings. Oil
• Dependency: Nigeria heavily relies on its oil sector, which accounts for a substantial portion of government revenue and foreign exchange earnings. Fluctuations in global oil prices can significantly impact Nigeria's economy, affecting government spending, investment levels, and overall economic performance.
• Agriculture: Agriculture is a crucial sector in Nigeria, employing a large portion of the population and contributing significantly to GDP. However, the sector faces challenges such as low productivity, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to finance and technology. Efforts to modernize and improve the agricultural industry are ongoing, with initiatives to increase productivity, promote value addition, and enhance food security.
• Infrastructure: Nigeria faces significant infrastructure challenges, including inadequate transportation networks, power shortages, and limited access to clean water and sanitation facilities. Addressing these infrastructure deficits is critical for supporting economic growth, attracting investment, and improving Nigerians' overall quality of life. Foreign
• Investment: Nigeria has attracted foreign investment across various sectors, including telecommunications, banking, and manufacturing. However, corruption, security concerns, and bureaucratic hurdles have sometimes deterred investors. Efforts to improve the business environment, enhance transparency, and strengthen institutions are essential for attracting foreign investment and promoting sustainable economic growth.
• Youth Unemployment: Nigeria has a large and youthful population, but youth unemployment remains a significant challenge. Limited job opportunities, skills mismatches, and underemployment contribute to social and economic pressures. Addressing youth unemployment requires comprehensive education and skills development strategies, entrepreneurship support, and job creation initiatives. Government Policies and
• Reforms: The Nigerian government has implemented various economic policies and reforms to promote growth, diversification, and financial stability. These include initiatives to improve the ease of doing business, enhance fiscal management, and attract investment in key sectors. However, the success of these policies often depends on practical implementation and addressing underlying structural challenges.
• Challenges: Nigeria faces several challenges that hinder its economic development, including corruption, insecurity, inadequate infrastructure, weak institutions, and policy inconsistencies. Addressing these challenges requires sustained efforts from the government, private sector, civil society, and international partners.

Industries

crude oil, coal, tin, columbite, palm oil, peanuts, cotton, rubber, wood, hides and skins, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food products, footwear, chemicals, fertilizer, printing, ceramics, steel

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$6,400.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

4%

9 facts — expand for details.

GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$1,013,530,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$6,400.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

4%

GDP - official exchange rate

$493,000,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 74.1% government
• consumption: 7.7% investment in fixed
• capital: 16.8% investment in
• inventories: 0% exports of goods and
• services: 13% imports of goods and
• services: -11.6%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

20.3%

GDP by Sector- Industry

23.6%

GDP by Sector- services

56.1%

Industrial Growth Rate

4%

5 facts — expand for details.

Inflation Rate

13.9%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

naira (NGN)

Currency Name and Code

Nigerian Naira (NGN)

Fiscal Year

calendar year

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

15.5%

7 facts — expand for details.

Labor Force

48,330,000

Unemployment Rate

4.9%

Major Industries

crude oil, coal, tin, columbite, palm oil, peanuts, cotton, rubber, wood, hides and skins, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food products, footwear, chemicals, fertilizer, printing, ceramics, steel

Agriculture Products

• cocoa, peanuts, palm oil, corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava (tapioca), yams, rubber
• cattle, sheep, goats, pigs
• timber
• fish

Population Below Poverty Line

70%

Child Labor - # of children ages 5-14

11,396,823

Child Labor - % of children ages 5-14

29%

3 facts — expand for details.

Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

70%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

10%

Labor Force By Occupation- services

20%

4 facts — expand for details.

Annual Budget

$18,160,000,000 (USD)

Public Debt (% of GDP)

11.2%

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-1.5%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

4.8%

5 facts — expand for details.

Full Country Name

Federal Republic of Nigeria

Country Name

Nigeria

Etymology- history of name

named for the Niger River that flows through the west of the country to the Atlantic Ocean; from a native term "Ni Gir" meaning "River Gir"

Independence

1 October 1960 (from the UK)

National Holiday

Independence Day (National Day), 1 October (1960)

10 facts — expand for details.

Government Type

federal presidential republic

Constitution

• history: several previous; latest adopted 5 May 1999, effective 29 May 1999
• amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of both houses and approval by the Houses of Assembly of at least two thirds of the states; amendments to constitutional articles on the creation of a new state, fundamental constitutional rights, or constitution-amending procedures requires at least four-fifths majority vote by both houses of the National Assembly and approval by the Houses of Assembly in at least two thirds of the states; passage of amendments limited to the creation of a new state require at least two-thirds majority vote by the proposing National Assembly house and approval by the Houses of Assembly in two thirds of the states; amended several times, last in 2018

Legal System:

mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law (in 12 northern states), and traditional law

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: President Bola Ahmed Adekunle TINUBU (since 29 May 2023); Vice President Kashim SHETTIMA (since 29 May 2023); note - the president is chief of state, head of government, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces
• head of government: President Bola Ahmed Adekunle TINUBU (since 29 May 2023); Vice President Kashim SHETTIMA (since 29 May 2023)
• cabinet: Federal Executive Council appointed by the president but constrained constitutionally to include at least one member from each of the 36 states
• elections/appointments: president directly elected by qualified majority popular vote and at least 25% of the votes cast in 24 of Nigeria's 36 states; president elected for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 25 February 2023 (next to be held on 27 February 2027)
• election results: 2023: Bola Ahmed Adekunle TINUBU elected president; percent of vote - Bola Ahmed Adekunle TINUBU (APC) 36.6%, Atiku ABUBAKAR (PDP) 29.1%, Peter OBI (LP) 25.4%, Rabiu KWANKWASO (NNPP) 6.4%, other 2.5% 2019: Muhammadu BUHARI elected president; percent of vote - Muhammadu BUHARI (APC) 53%, Atiku ABUBAKAR (PDP) 39%, other 8%

Legislative Branch:

• Description: bicameral National Assembly consists of: Senate (109 seats - 3 each for the 36 states and 1 for Abuja-Federal Capital Territory; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms) House of Representatives (360 seats statutory, 258 current; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms)
• Elections: - Senate - last held on 25 February 2023 (next to be held on 25 February 2027) House of Representatives - last held on 25 February 2023 (next to be held on 25 February 2027)
• Election Results: - Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APC 59, PDP 36, LP 8, NNPP 2, SDP 2, YPP 1, APGA 1;
• Composition: men 106, women 3, percent of women 2.8% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APC 178, PDP 114, LP 35, NNPP 19, APGA 5, other 7, vacant 2;
• Composition: men 344, women 14, percent of women 3.8%;
• Note: total National Assembly percent of women 3.6%

Judicial Branch:

• office: judges appointed by the president upon the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, a 23-member independent body of federal and state judicial officials; judge appointments confirmed by the Senate; judges serve until age 70
• subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; Federal High Court; High Court of the Federal Capital Territory; Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory; Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory; state court system similar in structure to federal system

Regions or States:

• Summary: 36 states
• and 1 territory*
• Abia
• Adamawa
• Akwa Ibom
• Anambra
• Bauchi
• Bayelsa
• Benue
• Borno
• Cross River
• Delta
• Ebonyi
• Edo
• Ekiti
• Enugu
• Federal Capital Territory*
• Gombe
• Imo
• Jigawa
• Kaduna
• Kano
• Katsina
• Kebbi
• Kogi
• Kwara
• Lagos
• Nasarawa
• Niger
• Ogun
• Ondo
• Osun
• Oyo
• Plateau
• Rivers
• Sokoto
• Taraba
• Yobe
• Zamfara

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Accord Party or ACC [Christopher IMUMOLEN]
• Africa Democratic Congress or ADC [Dumebi KACHIKWU]
• All Progressives Congress or APC [Bola Ahmed TINUBU]
• All Progressives Grand Alliance or APGA [Peter UMEADI]
• Labor Party or LP [Peter OBI]
• New Nigeria People’s Party or NNPP [Rabiu KWANKWASO]
• Peoples Democratic Party or PDP [Atiku ABUBAKAR]
• Young Progressive Party or YPP [Prince Malik ADO-IBRAHIM]

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: no citizenship by descent
• only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Nigeria dual citizenship
• recognized: yes residency requirement for
• naturalization: 15 years

Capital Name

Abuja

Capital - geographic coordinate

9 05 N, 7 32 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

4 facts — expand for details.

International Organization Participation:

• ACP
• AfDB
• ATMIS
• AU
• CD
• D-8
• ECOWAS
• EITI (compliant country)
• FAO
• G-15
• G-24
• G-77
• IAEA
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICC (national committees)
• ICCt
• ICRM
• IDA
• IDB
• IFAD
• IFC
• IFRCS
• IHO
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• IMSO
• Interpol
• IOC
• IOM
• IPU
• ISO
• ITSO
• ITU
• ITUC (NGOs)
• LCBC
• MIGA
• MINURSO
• MNJTF
• MONUSCO
• NAM
• OAS (observer)
• OIC
• OPCW
• OPEC
• PCA
• UN
• UNAMID
• UNCTAD
• UNESCO
• UNHCR
• UNIDO
• UNIFIL
• UNISFA
• UNITAR
• UNMIL
• UNMISS
• UNOCI
• UNOOSA
• UNWTO
• UPU
• WCO
• WFTU (NGOs)
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO
• WTO

International Law Organization Participation:

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires ad interim David GREENE (since 31 March 2023)
• Embassy: Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central District Area, Abuja
• Mailing Address: 8320 Abuja Place, Washington DC 20521-8320
• Telephone: [234] (9) 461-4000
• FAX: [234] (9) 461-4036
• Email: AbujaACS@state.gov
• Website: https://ng.usembassy.gov/
• Consulate(s) General: Lagos

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Mobolaji Sakirat OGUNDERO (since 1 November 2023)
• Chancery: 3519 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
• Telephone: [1] (202) 800-7201 (ext. 100)
• FAX: [1] (202) 362-6541
• Email: info@nigeriaembassyusa.org
• Website: https://www.nigeriaembassyusa.org/
• Consulate(s) General: Atlanta, New York

8 facts — expand for details.

Geographic Location

Africa

Geographic Coordinates

10 00 N, 8 00 E

Total Area

356,667 Square Miles 923,768 Square Kilometers

Land Area

351,648 Square Miles 910,768 Square Kilometers

Water Area

5,019 Square Miles 13,000 Square Kilometers

Land Boundaries

2,515 Miles 4,047 Kilometers

Border Countries

Benin 773 km, Cameroon 1,690 km, Chad 87 km, Niger 1,497 km

Coastline

530 Miles 853 Kilometers

6 facts — expand for details.

Terrain

southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountains in southeast, plains in north

Highest Point

2,419 Meters

Highest Point Location

Chappal Waddi 2,419 m

Lowest Point Location

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Natural Resources

natural gas, petroleum, tin, columbite, iron ore, coal, limestone, lead, zinc, arable land

Irrigated Land

1,132 Square Miles 2,932 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

5 facts — expand for details.

Climate

Due to its size and diversity, Nigeria has different climate zones.

In the coastal area, where Lagos is located, temperatures range from the mid-70s to the low 90s during most of the year.

Rainfall is heaviest in this area, averaging 70 inches per year.

The rainy season is fairly distinct throughout Nigeria.

Along the coast, the heaviest rains fall during May to October.

Humidity is high most of the year but declines during the winter months.

In the central plateau, where Abuja is located, temperatures can climb to over 100(F) between March and June.

Abuja's climate is generally hot and humid during the rainy season of June to September and rainfall in the area averages 50 inches per year.

The humidity decreases considerably during the coolest months of December and January, when night temperatures are often in the 60s.

The climate in northern Nigeria is drier, averaging as low as 20 inches of rain per year in the far north.

A distinctive feature of Nigerian weather is the harmattan, a dry northeasterly wind that carries sand from the Sahara south as far as Nigeria's coast during the months of December through February.

The effects of the harmattan are felt strongest in the northern part of the country and decrease gradually the further south one goes.

Visually, the harmattan creates a haze that on certain days can almost block the views of the surrounding hills in the Abuja region.

Many people experience eye, nose and throat problems during this time of year.

Terrain

southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountains in southeast, plains in north

Location

Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon

Total Area

356,667 Square Miles 923,768 Square Kilometers

Border Countries

Benin 773 km, Cameroon 1,690 km, Chad 87 km, Niger 1,497 km

Environment - Current Issues

• soil degradation
• rapid deforestation
• urban air and water pollution
• desertification
• oil pollution - water, air, and soil
• has suffered serious damage from oil spills
• loss of arable land
• rapid urbanization

Environment - International Agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

4 facts — expand for details.

Exports

$76,330,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$34,180,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

petroleum and petroleum products 95%, cocoa, rubber

Major Imports

machinery, chemicals, transport equipment, manufactured goods, food and live animals

Top Export Partners

US 33.2%, Spain 7.4%, Brazil 6.4%, Indonesia 6%, France 5.7%, India 4.8%, Japan 4%

Top Import Partners

UK 9.5%, US 9.4%, China 9.3%, France 8.7%, Germany 6.5%, South Korea 6.1%, Netherlands 5.2%, Italy 4.7%, Brazil 4.5%

Export Partners

US 33.2%, Spain 7.4%, Brazil 6.4%, Indonesia 6%, France 5.7%, India 4.8%, Japan 4%

Import Partners

UK 9.5%, US 9.4%, China 9.3%, France 8.7%, Germany 6.5%, South Korea 6.1%, Netherlands 5.2%, Italy 4.7%, Brazil 4.5%

2 facts — expand for details.

Country Description

Nigeria is a developing country in western Africa that has experienced periods of political and communal violence.

It has the largest population on the continent, estimated at over 170 million people, and its infrastructure is not fully developed or well-maintained.

Safety & Security

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Nigeria, and continues to recommend that U.S. citizens avoid all but essential travel to the following states because of the risk of kidnappings, robberies, and other armed attacks: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, and Zamfara states.

The Department of State also recommends that U.S. citizens avoid all travel to Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states because of the proclamation on May 14, 2013, by the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria of a State of Emergency in those three states.

The Department also warns against travel to the Gulf of Guinea because of the threat of maritime crime including piracy.

(Please also see the Crime Section below.) Based on safety and security risk assessments, travel by U.S. officials to all northern Nigerian states (in addition to those listed above) must receive advance clearance from the U.S.

Mission as mission-essential.

In light of the continuing violence, extremists may expand their operations beyond northern Nigeria to other areas of the country.

The U.S.

Mission advises all U.S. citizens to be particularly vigilant around churches, mosques, and other places of worship; locations where large crowds may gather; hotels; clubs; restaurants; markets; shopping malls; and other areas frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers.

Security measures in Nigeria remain heightened due to threats posed by extremist groups, and U.S. citizens may encounter additional police and military checkpoints, additional security, and possible road blocks throughout the country.

In 2012, an extremist group based in northeast Nigeria known as Boko Haram (BH) claimed responsibility for many attacks, mainly in northern Nigeria.

Boko Haram members have killed or wounded thousands of people during the past three years.

Multiple Suicide Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (SVBIED) targeted churches, government installations, educational institutions, and entertainment venues in Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau, Taraba, and Yobe states.

In December 2011, the President of Nigeria declared a state of emergency in 15 local government areas in the states of Borno, Niger, Plateau, and Yobe.

This State of Emergency remains in effect, although with modification in some areas.

According to the Government of Nigeria, the declaration of a state of emergency gives the government sweeping powers to search and arrest without warrants.

Several states in the North are under various curfews, which change frequently.

All U.S. citizens should remain aware of current situations including curfews, travel restrictions, and states of emergency in the areas they are in or plan to visit.

This information is commonly announced via the news media, but at times it can change with very little notice.

Please take the time to find out this information for your area.

In May 2013, when the State of Emergency was established in three northeastern states, cell phone service was cut off in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

Service was temporarily restored in some of those areas but again cut off in July 2013, after attacks by BH resumed.

Cell phone service has has been partially restored in Yobe and Adamawa states, particularly in the respective state capitals of Damaturu and Yola.

Beginning in September 2012, extremists attacked cellular telephone towers in Northern Nigeria, damaging over 50 towers and degrading cellular telephone and internet communications nationwide.

Additional attacks could further weaken the ability of citizens to communicate through cellular telephones and the internet.

Land line telephone communications in Nigeria remain extremely limited.

U.S. citizens should attempt to arrange for multiple means of communication in case of emergencies.

In addition to the threat posed by BH, an offshoot of BH, the Ansaru group, has carried out several kidn

2 facts — expand for details.

Crime

Violent crimes committed by individual criminals and gangs, as well as by some persons wearing police and military uniforms, occur throughout the country, especially at night.

Visitors and residents have experienced armed muggings, assaults, burglaries, car-jackings, rapes, kidnappings, and extortions, often involving violence.

Home invasions remain a serious threat, with armed robbers accessing even guarded compounds by scaling perimeter walls; following or tailgating residents or visitors arriving by car into a compound; or subduing guards to gain entry into homes or apartments.

Armed robbers in Lagos also access waterfront compounds by boat.

U.S. citizens, as well as Nigerians and other expatriates, have become victims of armed robbery at banks, grocery stores, and on airport roads during both daylight and evening hours.

Law enforcement authorities usually respond slowly or not at all, and provide little or no investigative support to victims.

U.S. citizens, other expatriates, and Nigerians have experienced harassment and shakedowns at checkpoints and during encounters with Nigerian law enforcement officials.

Traveling outside of major cities after dark is not recommended due to crime and road safety concerns.

Maritime crime including piracy, continues off the coast of Nigeria in the Gulf of Guinea, with armed gangs boarding commercial and private vessels to rob travelers and occasionally take hostages for ransom.

The Nigerian Navy has limited capacity to respond to criminal acts at sea.

Nigerian-operated fraud schemes, known locally as "419" scams, are noted for their cleverness and ingenuity.

These scams target foreigners worldwide, posing risks of financial loss and personal danger to their victims.

Scams are often initiated through internet postings or from internet cafes by unsolicited emails, faxes, and letters, or can involve credit card use.

As anywhere else, no one should provide personal or financial information to unknown parties or via Nigerian telephone lines.

The expansion of bilateral law enforcement cooperation has resulted in numerous raids on commercial fraud premises and the limited return of some assets to fraud victims.

New types of even more sophisticated scams seem to appear almost daily.

U.S. citizens frequently become victims of Nigerian confidence artists offering companionship through internet dating web sites and social networks.

These confidence artists almost always pose as U.S. citizens visiting or living in Nigeria who unexpectedly experience a medical, legal, financial, or other type of “emergency” requiring immediate financial assistance.

We strongly urge you to be very cautious about sending money to any unknown person or traveling to Nigeria to meet someone with whom your sole communications have occurred via the internet and telephone.

Other common scams involve a promise of an inheritance windfall, work contracts in Nigeria, or an overpayment for goods purchased on-line.

For additional information on these types of scams, see the Department of State's publication, International Financial Scams.

Commercial scams that target foreigners, including many U.S. citizens, are common.

You should remain alert regarding scams that may involve you in illegal activity that could result in arrest, extortion, or bodily harm.

These scams generally involve phony offers of money transfers, lucrative sales, contracts with promises of large commissions or up-front payments.

They may improperly invoke the authority of one or more ministries or offices of the Nigerian government and may cite, by name, the involvement of a Nigerian government or a U.S. embassy official.

In some scams, criminals use government stationery and seals to advance the scam.

The ability of U.S. consular officers to extricate U.S. citizens from unlawful business deals or scams and their subsequent consequences is extremely limited.

U.S. citizens have been arrested by police officials and held for varying periods on charges of involvem

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Nigeria, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own.

In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you or if you take pictures of certain buildings.

In some places, driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail.

These criminal penalties will vary from country to country.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in Nigeria, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not wherever you go.

Languages English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani, over 500 additional indigenous languages

2 facts — expand for details.

Medical Facilities

Nigeria has a number of well-trained doctors, yet medical facilities in Nigeria are in poor condition, with inadequately trained nursing staff.

Diagnostic and treatment equipment is often poorly maintained, and many medicines are unavailable.

Caution should be taken when purchasing medicines locally as counterfeit pharmaceuticals are a common problem and may be difficult to distinguish from genuine medications.

This is particularly true of generic medicines purchased at local pharmacies or in street markets.

Hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.

Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease.

Plasmodium falciparum malaria, the type that predominates in Nigeria, is resistant to the anti-malarial drug chloroquine.

Because travelers to Nigeria are at high risk for contracting malaria, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that travelers take one of the following anti-malarial drugs: mefloquine (Lariam™), doxycycline, or atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone™).

If you become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria-risk area, and up to one year after returning home, you should seek prompt medical attention and tell the physician your travel history and what anti-malarials you have been taking.

T

Traffic Safety

While in Nigeria, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

Roads in many areas of Nigeria are generally in poor condition, causing damage to vehicles and contributing to hazardous traffic conditions.

There are few working traffic lights or stop signs, and few traffic control officers to manage the flow of traffic during power outages.

Additionally, some traffic control officers may occasionally seek bribes when citing drivers for traffic violations.

The rainy season, generally from May to October, is especially dangerous because of flooded roads and water-concealed potholes.

Excessive speed, unpredictable driving habits, lack of basic maintenance and safety equipment on many vehicles, and the absence of any official vehicle inspection for roadworthiness all present additional hazards.

Motorists seldom yield the right-of-way and give little consideration to pedestrians and cyclists.

Accidents on inter-city highways with high casualties are common.

Gridlock is common in urban areas.

Chronic fuel shortages have led to long lines at service stations, which disrupt or block traffic for extended periods.

Public transportation vehicles, such as buses and motorbikes, are unsafe due to poor maintenance, high speeds, and overcrowding.

Motorbike taxis, known in Nigeria as "okadas," offer a common form of public transportation in many cities and pose serious danger to other motorists, their own passengers, and pedestrians.

Motorbike drivers frequently weave in and out of traffic at high speeds and observe no traffic rules.

Motorbikes are banned within Abuja's city limits and many major thoroughfares in Lagos.

Okada drivers and passengers are required to wear helmets in a number of cities in the country; police can fine violators on the spot.

Passengers in local taxis have been driven to secluded locations where they were attacked and robbed.

Several of the victims required hospitalization.

The U.S.

Mission recommends avoiding public transportation throughout Nigeria.

Short-term visitors should not drive in Nigeria.

A Nigerian driver's license can take months to obtain, and international driving permits are not recognized.

Major hotels and the customer service centers at the airports in Lagos, Abuja, and Kano offer reliable car-hire services complete with drivers.

Inter-city roadside assistance is extremely scarce, and medical facilities and emergency care are poor.

Persons involved in a traffic incident might encounter the lack of available medicalfacilities to treat either minor or life-threatening injuries.

All drivers and passengers should wear seat belts, lock doors, and keep windows closed.

It is important to secure appropriate automobile insurance.

Drivers and passengers of vehicles involved in accidents resulting in injury or death have experienced extra-judicial actions, i.e., mob attacks, official consequences such as fines and incarceration, and/or confrontations with the victim's family.

Driving between 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. should be done with extreme caution, as bandits and police roadblocks are more numerous at night.

Automobiles, trucks, or "okadas" often drive on the wrong side of the road or on sidewalks.

These vehicles are difficult to see at night because streets are very poorly lit, and many vehicles are missing one or both headlights, tail lights, and reflectors.

8 facts — expand for details.

Airports - total

54

Airports with Paved Runways

40

Heliports

5

Railways

2,178 Miles 3,505 Kilometers

Roadways- total

120,049 Miles 193,200 Kilometers

Roadways- paved

18,007 Miles 28,980 Kilometers

Waterways

5,344 Miles 8,600 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Calabar, Lagos, Onne, Port Harcourt, Sapele, Warri

5 facts — expand for details.

Pipelines: Condensate

77 Miles 124 Kilometers

Pipelines: Gas

2,513 Miles 4,045 Kilometers

Pipelines: Liquid Petroleum Gas

102 Miles 164 Kilometers

Pipelines: Oil

2,760 Miles 4,441 Kilometers

Pipelines: Refined Products

2,448 Miles 3,940 Kilometers

7 facts — expand for details.

Telephones

1,419,000

Cell Phones

40,395,000

Internet Users

10,000,000

Internet Country Code

.ng

Internet Hosts

1,378

Broadcast Media

• nearly 70 federal government-controlled national and regional TV stations
• all 36 states operate TV stations
• several private TV stations operational
• cable and satellite TV subscription services are available
• network of federal government-controlled national, regional, and state radio stations
• roughly 40 state government-owned radio stations typically carry their own programs except for news broadcasts
• about 20 private radio stations
• transmissions of international broadcasters are available

Telephone System

• assessment: further expansion and modernization of the fixed-line telephone network is needed; network quality remains a problem
• domestic: the addition of a second fixed-line provider in 2002 resulted in faster growth but subscribership remains only about 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular services growing rapidly, in part responding to the shortcomings of the fixed-line network; multiple cellular providers operate nationally with subscribership base approaching 60 per 100 persons
• international: country code - 234; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)

10 facts — expand for details.

Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

19,210,000,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

21,920,000,000

Natural Gas Consumption - Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

5,030,000,000

Natural Gas Exports- Cubic Meters (cu m)

25,960,000,000

Natural Gas Production- Cubic Meters (cu m)

31,360,000,000

Natural Gas Reserves- Cubic Meters (cu m)

5,153,000,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

271,600

Oil Exports- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

2,341,000

Oil Production- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

2,451,000

Oil Reserves- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

37,200,000,000

Anthem History

adopted 1978; lyrics are a mixture of the five top entries in a national contest

Anthem Lyrics English

1.

Arise, O compatriots, Nigeria's call obey To serve our fatherland With love and strength and faith The labor of our heroes past Shall never be in vain To serve with heart and might One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.

Oh God of creation, direct our noble cause Guide our leaders right Help our youth the truth to know In love and honesty to grow And living just and true Great lofty heights attain To build a nation where peace and justice shall reign.