The United States has updated its travel guidance for Nigeria, warning citizens to reconsider trips to the country and permitting non-emergency U.S. government employees and their families to leave the embassy in Abuja. The move follows concerns about worsening security across Africa's most populous nation.
In an advisory issued late on Wednesday, the State Department kept Nigeria at Level 3 - Reconsider Travel - but expanded the list of states Americans should avoid. Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger and Taraba were newly added to the "Do Not Travel" category, increasing the number of such states to 23 out of Nigeria's 36 states.
The advisory cites a range of security threats. Islamist insurgents are identified as an ongoing danger in the northeast, while criminal gangs are noted as a significant problem in the northwest. The State Department also warned of persistent kidnappings, banditry and attacks on security forces, with specific mention of continuing violence in southern and southeastern areas, including regions involved in oil production.
Washington has previously flagged security risks in Nigeria. Last month, U.S. officials warned of a "terrorist threat" directed at U.S. facilities and affiliated schools in the country. The State Department reviews its travel guidance several times each year and has maintained Nigeria at either Level 3 or the higher Level 4 for much of the past decade, reflecting long-standing concerns about insecurity.
The advisory and the decision to allow non-essential personnel to depart underscore heightened concern in Washington as incidents of kidnappings, banditry and assaults on security forces continue, particularly in northern Nigeria.
Separately, the U.S. military presence in Nigeria includes multiple MQ-9 drones operating in the country and a contingent of 200 troops assigned to provide training and intelligence support to Nigerian forces as they confront Islamist militants across the north.
U.S. travel advisories often influence how investors, international organisations and airlines evaluate country risk. The maintenance of a Level 3 advisory and the expansion of states classified as Do Not Travel will be factors these stakeholders consider when assessing operations, travel and exposure in Nigeria.
Clear summary
The U.S. has urged citizens to reconsider travel to Nigeria and authorised the departure of non-emergency embassy staff and families from Abuja. The State Department held Nigeria at Level 3 - Reconsider Travel - and added five states to its Do Not Travel list, bringing the total to 23 of 36 states. The advisory highlights threats from Islamist insurgents in the northeast, criminal gangs in the northwest, kidnappings and banditry, and violence in oil-producing southern and southeastern areas. The U.S. military operates multiple MQ-9 drones in Nigeria and has 200 troops providing training and intelligence support.