UK travel warning Nigeria: FCDO advises against travel to six states and riverine areas, with essential-only guidance for 19 states and Abuja
The United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued a fresh UK travel warning Nigeria on Thursday, August 20, 2026, advising British citizens against all travel to six Nigerian states and specified riverine areas in five southern states, while recommending only essential travel to 19 other states and the Federal Capital Territory, including Abuja.
The strongest warning applies to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina and Zamfara states.
In the North-East, the FCDO advises against all travel to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe. In the North-West, Katsina and Zamfara are also under the same restriction.
The warning further covers specific riverine areas in five South-South states. They are Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.
According to the FCDO, the affected riverine locations are areas accessible by boat but not by road.
States under the all-travel ban
The British government advises its citizens against all travel to the following:
1. Borno
2. Yobe
3. Adamawa
4. Gombe
5. Katsina
6. Zamfara
7. Riverine areas of Delta
8. Riverine areas of Bayelsa
9. Riverine areas of Rivers
10. Riverine areas of Akwa Ibom
11. Riverine areas of Cross River
The second category covers locations where the FCDO advises against all but essential travel.
In the North-East, the list begins with Bauchi State.
In the North-West, the affected states are Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa and Sokoto.
The North-Central region includes Niger, Kogi, Plateau, Taraba, Kwara and Benue.
In the South-East, the warning covers Abia, Anambra and Imo.
The FCDO also includes non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers, while the Federal Capital Territory, including Abuja, remains under the essential-travel-only advisory.
States under the essential-travel-only advisory
The complete list is:
1. Bauchi
2. Kaduna
3. Kano
4. Kebbi
5. Jigawa
6. Sokoto
7. Niger
8. Kogi
9. Plateau
10. Taraba
11. Kwara
12. Benue
13. Abia
14. Anambra
15. Imo
16. Non-riverine areas of Delta
17. Non-riverine areas of Bayelsa
18. Non-riverine areas of Rivers
19. Federal Capital Territory, including Abuja
The distinction between the two categories is significant. An advisory against all travel means the FCDO recommends that British nationals do not travel to those locations, while an all-but-essential-travel warning permits necessary journeys but discourages discretionary trips.
The latest guidance reflects continuing British government concerns about security risks in parts of Nigeria, including terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime and civil unrest.
The FCDO cautioned travellers that “No travel can be guaranteed safe” and advised people planning trips to Nigeria to research their destinations and obtain appropriate travel insurance.
The government also warned that travel insurance could be invalidated if a traveller travels against FCDO advice, depending on the terms of the policy.
The UK travel warning does not amount to a blanket restriction on travel to the country.
Several states are outside the two categories specified in the latest advisory, although the FCDO continues to encourage British nationals to consult its full Nigeria travel guidance before making travel arrangements.
The updated guidance also covers entry requirements, health, regional security risks, IVF and fertility treatment scams, overseas adoption and how British nationals can obtain assistance while in Nigeria.
For travellers, the latest update is a powerful reminder that security conditions can differ considerably from one part of Nigeria to another. British nationals planning journeys are therefore advised to check the latest FCDO guidance shortly before departure and ensure their insurance adequately covers their planned itinerary.
