UK issues fresh travel warning on 11 states in Nigeria

The United Kingdom has issued a fresh travel advisory to its citizens, warning against all travel to parts of 11 Nigerian states while recommending that trips to several other states and the Federal Capital Territory be undertaken only when essential.

The advisory was contained in an updated travel guidance released by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on Thursday, August 20, 2026.

Under its highest-risk category, the FCDO advised against all travel to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe states in the North-East, as well as Katsina and Zamfara in the North-West.

The warning also applies to riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states in the South-South.

The FCDO described the affected riverine locations as “the river and swamp locations accessible by boat, but not by road.”

The latest advisory cited security concerns in the affected regions and divided its recommendations into areas where travellers are advised against all travel and locations where only essential journeys are recommended.

The UK government further placed Bauchi State under the “all but essential travel” category in the North-East.

In the North-West, the same warning applies to Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa and Sokoto states.

Several states in the North-Central region were also listed, including Niger, Kogi, Plateau, Taraba, Kwara and Benue.

In the South-East, the advisory covers Abia, Anambra and Imo states, while travellers were advised to limit journeys to essential ones in non-riverine parts of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states.

The Federal Capital Territory, including Abuja, is also among the areas where the UK recommends against all but essential travel.

The FCDO cautioned British nationals and other travellers that “No travel can be guaranteed safe” and advised anyone planning to visit Nigeria to review the latest travel guidance before departure.

It also urged prospective travellers to “research your destinations” and “get appropriate travel insurance” before embarking on their trips.

The UK government warned that “Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).”

According to the advisory, travellers should confirm that their insurance policies cover their complete itinerary, intended activities and any emergency-related expenses that may arise during their stay.

The updated guidance also contains information on other issues affecting travellers, including entry requirements, safety and security, regional risks, health concerns, IVF and fertility treatment scams, overseas adoption and procedures for British nationals seeking assistance in Nigeria.

The FCDO’s strongest warning applies to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina and Zamfara states, alongside the riverine portions of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.

The “all but essential travel” category covers Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Niger, Kogi, Plateau, Taraba, Kwara, Benue, Abia, Anambra and Imo states.

It also includes the non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, including Abuja.