Travel Vaccines and Advice for Nigeria
Nigeria is the most populated region in Africa and has the largest economy in the region.
English is one of the official languages in Nigeria, but only the upper class speak it. There are more than 500 official languages in Nigeria, which speaks to its diversity of cultures and tribes. There are more than 500 different ethnic groups that live in Nigeria.
Nigeria is divided in religion: roughly half of its population identifies as Christian and the other half, Muslim. A small part of the population practice indigenous religions.
Nigerian culture has been popularized by authors, including Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and Nollywood (Nigeria’s version of Hollywood). Nollywood is now the second largest producers of films (quantity) in the world.
Although not the capital city of Nigeria, Lagos is the second most populous city on the continent and is a large commercial hub.
Do I Need Vaccines for Nigeria?
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Nigeria. The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Nigeria: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.
COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for travel to all regions, both foreign and domestic. Check with your local Passport Health clinic if immunization is offered in your area.
See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunizations:
- COVID-19 –
Airborne & Direct Contact –
Recommended for all unvaccinated individuals who qualify for vaccination - Hepatitis A –
Food & Water –
Recommended for most travelers - Hepatitis B –
Blood & Body Fluids –
Recommended for travelers to most regions. - Typhoid –
Food & Water –
Recommended for travelers
to most regions. - Cholera –
Food & Water –
Nigeria has confirmed cases of cholera in the following districts: Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Borno, Ebonyi, Federal Capital Territory, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kogi, Kano, Katsina, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara. Vaccination is recommended for travel to these regions. - Yellow Fever –
Mosquito –
Required for all travelers over 9 months of age. - Rabies –
Saliva of Infected Animals –
High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travelers and those who may come in contact with animals. - Meningitis –
Airborne & Direct Contact –
Located in the meningitis belt, vaccination is recommended during the dry season (Dec. – June) - Polio –
Food & Water –
Nigeria is one of three countries with active, wild polio transmission. Travelers are advised to ensure they have been vaccinated. Single adult booster recommended. - Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) –
Various Vectors –
Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. - TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) –
Wounds & Airborne –
Only one adult booster of pertussis required. - Chickenpox –
Direct Contact & Airborne –
Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. - Shingles –
Direct Contact –
Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. - Pneumonia –
Airborne –
Two vaccines given separately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. - Influenza –
Airborne –
Vaccine components change annually.
See the tables below for more information:
Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Nigeria |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| COVID-19 | Airborne & Direct Contact | Recommended for all unvaccinated individuals who qualify for vaccination |
| Hepatitis A | Food & Water | Recommended for most travelers |
| Hepatitis B | Blood & Body Fluids | Recommended for travelers to most regions. |
| Typhoid | Food & Water | Recommended for travelers to most regions. |
| Cholera | Food & Water | Nigeria has confirmed cases of cholera in the following districts: Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Borno, Ebonyi, Federal Capital Territory, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kogi, Kano, Katsina, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara. Vaccination is recommended for travel to these regions. |
| Yellow Fever | Mosquito | Required for all travelers over 9 months of age. |
| Rabies | Saliva of Infected Animals | High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travelers and those who may come in contact with animals. |
| Meningitis | Airborne & Direct Contact | Located in the meningitis belt, vaccination is recommended during the dry season (Dec. – June) |
| Polio | Food & Water | Nigeria is one of three countries with active, wild polio transmission. Travelers are advised to ensure they have been vaccinated. Single adult booster recommended. |
Routine Vaccinations for Nigeria |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) | Various Vectors | Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. |
| TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) | Wounds & Airborne | Only one adult booster of pertussis required. |
| Chickenpox | Direct Contact & Airborne | Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. |
| Shingles | Direct Contact | Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. |
| Pneumonia | Airborne | Two vaccines given separately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. |
| Influenza | Airborne | Vaccine components change annually. |
Polio is still a risk to travelers to Nigeria. Make sure your polio vaccination is up-to-date before traveling to the region.
Nigeria is in the meningitis belt, meaning there is an increased risk of infection during certain times of the year. Speak with a travel health specialist to learn if this will affect your itinerary.
Yellow fever vaccination is required for all travelers over the age of nine months. Multiple yellow fever outbreaks have occurred in Nigeria in previous years, vaccination is highly recommended.
Dengue, malaria and chikungunya are all present in Nigeria. Be sure to take repellents, netting and antimalarials with you as part of your travel preparations.
Individuals with HIV/AIDS may not be allowed into the country as part of an effort to stop the spread of the virus within Nigeria.
Medical facilities are usually poor and most medicines are not accessible. Most doctors require payment before a procedure.
Visit our vaccinations page to learn more. Travel safely with Passport Health and schedule your appointment today by calling or book online now.
Is Cholera in Nigeria?
Cholera is endemic in Nigeria. Northern states have experienced cholera outbreaks since 2009, leading to deaths.
The best protection against cholera is through vaccination. Passport Health clinics offer the cholera vaccine. Book your cholera vaccination appointment today!
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Nigeria?
A passport and visa are required for travel to Nigeria. You should get your visa before arrival.
Nigeria Entry Requirements |
||
| Do I Need A… | For My Trip to Nigeria? | |
|---|---|---|
| Passport |  |
|
| Tourist Visa | |
|
| Business Visa | |
|
| Vaccinations | |
|
Sources: Embassy of Nigeria and U.S. State Department
You can’t leave Nigeria unless you present them with the proper paperwork stating that you entered the country legally with a visa.
Nigerian authorities are allowed to deny entry to anyone for “undesirable medical reasons”. This can include HIV/AIDS.
What Is the Climate Like in Nigeria?
Nigeria has four major climates: the northeaster is a warm desert climate; the north is a semi-arid, central Nigeria is a tropical savanna climate and southern Nigeria is a monsoon climate.
Generally, Nigeria is very damp and humid. Nigeria only has two seasons: the dry and rainy seasons. The temperature can range from 64 degrees Fahrenheit to 112 degrees Fahrenheit depending on the season and the region.
Is It Safe to Travel to Nigeria?
The U.S. Embassy and Department of State currently has a travel warning in Nigeria, urging travelers not to visit the country.
There is a high presence of militant and terrorist groups in Nigeria, including Boko Haram. This heightens the risk of experiencing a terrorist attack, kidnappings, and political violence.
Other jihadist groups can be found in Borno, Kaduna, Bauchi, Yobe, and Kano.
You should avoid drinking alcohol in public.
Travelers should be extra careful around places of worship, hotels, markets and shopping malls.
Festivals and Culture in Nigeria
Avoid an Embarrassing Stop
Over 70% of travelers
will have diarrhea.
Get protected with Passport Health’s
travelers’ diarrhea kit!
If you’re looking to experience some of the many cultures of Nigeria, Enugu is an interesting place to visit for a variety of reasons.
In November, you can experience the Mmanwu Festival, a masquerade festival that showcases traditional Igbo culture and dance at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium. This festival is an interaction between the citizens and their ancestors. This particular festival in Enugu features masquerades from over 200 different tribes from around the region.
The festival brings a large amount of different ethnic groups together each year and is usually seen as a celebration of unity.
What Should I Take to Nigeria?
Here are some essential items to consider for your trip to Nigeria:
- Luggage lock to prevent baggage theft.
- Prescription drugs aren’t readily available in Nigeria. You should never buy drugs in Nigeria for they run the risk of being unsafe.
- Lightweight layers for the extreme temperatures and humidity.
- Avoid dark clothing as Tsetse flies are attracted to dark colors and their bites may give you African Sleeping Sickness.
- Water filter tablets to help with having safe and reliable drinking water.
U.S. Embassy in Nigeria
All Americans visiting Nigeria should register online with the U.S. Department of State before departure. This will inform the office of your travel plans within the country and will allow them to reach out in the case of an emergency or evacuation.
Once in Tunisia, the information for the U.S. Embassy is:
U.S. Embassy in Nigeria
1075 Diplomatic Drive
Central District Area, Abuja
Nigeria
Telephone: +(234) (0) (9) 461-4000
Email:Consularabuja@state.gov
All Americans visiting Nigeria should register online with the U.S. Department of State before departure. This will inform the office of your travel plans within the country and will allow them to reach out in the case of an emergency or evacuation.
Visit the Embassy to Nigeria website before departure to confirm correct contact details for the office.
If you have any questions about traveling to Nigeria or are wondering what shots you may need for your trip, schedule an appointment with your local Passport Health travel medicine clinic. Call us at or book online now! and protect yourself today.
Customer Reviews
Passport Health – Travel Vaccines for Nigeria
“Mary Cummings was very knowledgeable, upbeat, and made me very comfortable with what I was getting, and how to protect myself in Nigeria. I would recommend Passport Health to anyone”
“My first time at Passport Health was full of great surprises. They were so kind and helpful have put a travel itinerary book together for me and talked me through every step I needed to take to ensure I would have a fabulous trip in Nigeria and Africa.”
“My nurse was extremely pleasant and highly knowledgeable about my trip for Nigeria. She even went above and beyond to assure my safety with helpful knowledge.”
“the nurse I talked to was very helpful and was able to answer all my questions in terms of travel to Nigeria and the possible health hazards. She was also knowledgeable in what a absolutely should get and what alternatives I had regarding certain medications given the expected exposure of my travel in Nigeria. I never felt that she was trying to talk me into any given shot or medication.”
“Excellent service, learned things I did not know even though I have traveled to Nigeria before”
“I didn’t know what to expect when I went to Passport Health today. But the moment I walked off the elevator and was greeted by the nice receptionist, I felt very comfortable. When I met the nurse who administered the vaccinations, she was very professional and nice. I enjoyed talking with her and appreciate her explaining what I needed for my trip to Nigeria. The experience was great and I’d recommend Passport Health to anyone who’s traveling abroad.”
“All my questions were answered to my satisfaction and the review of immunizations was very through. The service was excellent, the video was also helpful. Thanks for preparing my immune system for travel to Nigeria!”
“I thought the coverage of our planned trip to Nigeria, the local information, the need for vaccinations was excellent and presented in an easily digestible manner. The prepared document was very well done and the the review of it by Eileen was excellent. The only negative was when we walked in, the young lady at the reception desk hardly acknowledged our presence and this sure doesn’t give you the best impression of the facility.”
“Very thorough. Very helpful. I feel much better about going to Nigeria now. It’s nice that they know what is going on now in all of the different countries. I will recommend to others.”
“First impressions count and the service I received today was excellent and very professional. It will be my first time visiting Nigeria and the information provided during my consultation was very formative and worthwhile information to prepare me for the visit. Thanks for the help and knowledge”
“I came in to get vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis for a work trip to Nigeria. I was so impressed by Passport’s services. They prepared an itinerary document full of information on health risks in Nigeria, and took time to speak to me about previous vaccinations and my preferences on which prophylaxis. I had forgotten to bring my yellow fever certificate, so the nurse filled out a new one for me. When I returned and needed a refill, they not only filled it but also gave me helpful information over the phone. There was no wait time for the appointment and the staff were all very friendly. If only my primary care doctor could be this efficient!”
On This Page:
Do I Need Vaccines for Nigeria?
Is Cholera in Nigeria?
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Nigeria?
What Is the Climate Like in Nigeria?
Is It Safe to Travel to Nigeria?
Festivals and Culture in Nigeria
What Should I Take to Nigeria?
U.S. Embassy in Nigeria
US – English
CA – English
UK – English
Rest of World – English
