By Dalena Reporters | November 9, 2025
The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has issued a new travel advisory cautioning British nationals against travel to large parts of Nigeria, citing escalating threats of kidnapping, violent crime, terrorism and communal violence. The updated guidance, published on GOV.UK and flagged by media, lists 20 Nigerian states as high-risk or effectively off-limits.
Key Highlights of the Advisory
- The advisory states: “Insecurity is increasing across Nigeria. Kidnapping, violent crime, and intercommunal violence occur throughout all regions of Nigeria.
The FCDO advised against all travel to the following six northern states due to high threat levels:
- Borno State
- Yobe State
- Adamawa State
- Gombe State
- Katsina State
- Zamfara State
- The guidance further advised against all but essential travel to ten other states and the outer suburbs of the Federal Capital Territory:
- Bauchi State
- Kaduna State
- Kano State
- Kebbi State
- Jigawa State
- Sokoto State
- Niger State
- Kogi State
- Plateau State
- Taraba State
- In the Niger Delta and South-East regions — including states such as Delta State, Bayelsa State, Rivers State, Akwa Ibom State and Cross River State — the advisory warns of militant attacks, oil-and-gas infrastructure threats, kidnappings and armed robbery.
- The FCDO also highlighted increased risks in the South-West and major urban centres such as Lagos — particularly on the mainland, citing armed robbery, car-jacking, mugging and kidnapping.
The advisory signals a significant diplomatic concern: one of Nigeria’s major foreign partner’s security assessments is now formally warning its citizens against broad travel within the country. For Nigeria, this may carry reputational, economic and security policy implications.
Businesses, aid-workers, investors and expatriate staff may review their presence and risk posture in the flagged states. Nigeria’s government and state security architecture will likely face pressure to respond to the perception of escalating instability.
Security analysts point out that while Nigeria has long battled insurgency, armed banditry, kidnappings and communal violence, the scale of the UK advisory underscores a perception that the security environment has widened from regional hotspots to national scope.
The advisory also comes at a time when Nigeria is preparing for multiple major elections in 2026–27, raising concerns about how instability may affect governance, investment and civil-society operations.
What the Advisory Means for Travellers
- British nationals in Nigeria are urged to review safety arrangements, prepare contingency / evacuation plans, and exercise extreme caution in all their movements.
- Avoid travelling to or through listed states unless absolutely essential.
- Stay updated on local security news, avoid protests or large gatherings, and follow instructions from local authorities.
- Organisations hosting expatriates or foreign nationals should reassess their security protocols and travel-policies for Nigeria and the region.
Dalena Reporters — Foreign Affairs & Security Desk
Providing timely coverage on Nigeria’s evolving security landscape and its global implications.