BREAKING: US Government Issues Fresh Travel Warning Against Nigeria Over Terrorism, Crime, and Poor Healthcare

The United States government has issued a stern travel advisory warning its citizens to reconsider traveling to Nigeria, citing a combination of dire security threats, unstable healthcare access, and widespread violence.

The latest advisory, dated July 15, 2025, was officially published on the US Mission in Nigeria’s website and has already sparked concern in diplomatic and public policy circles.

According to the statement, Americans are being warned due to “crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed gangs, and the inconsistent availability of health care services.” The advisory marks a significant escalation in travel precautions and follows growing international attention on Nigeria’s deteriorating security architecture.

The US Department of State’s travel advisory categorized some areas in Nigeria as “Do Not Travel” zones, especially parts of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, and parts of the Niger Delta, where insurgent activity, banditry, and kidnappings for ransom have reached alarming levels.

This announcement comes at a time when Nigeria is still reeling from multiple high-profile attacks, including recent killings by bandits in Zamfara, and ongoing unrest in parts of the South-East and North-Central regions. International observers have frequently criticized the Nigerian government for its perceived inability to contain the rising wave of insecurity, despite multiple military offensives and policy overhauls.

The US also warned that armed criminal groups target public places such as hotels, schools, places of worship, markets, shopping malls, and airports. The advisory emphasized that these threats often result in “mass casualties” and that law enforcement response is inconsistent and, in many cases, unavailable.

Of equal concern is the state of Nigeria’s healthcare system, which the advisory describes as “inconsistent in availability and quality.” This remark may impact not only tourists but foreign investors and expatriates who rely on emergency medical services.

American citizens currently residing in or visiting Nigeria are urged to:

Stay alert and avoid high-risk areas.

Register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for emergency updates.

Develop a personal security plan and keep friends and family informed of their whereabouts.

Review evacuation plans and ensure all travel documents are current.

This latest warning may further isolate Nigeria diplomatically and economically, especially at a time when the government is actively courting foreign investors and pushing tourism and digital migration initiatives.

As of press time, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not issued an official response to the advisory. However, insiders say the statement is being treated with urgency and may provoke high-level discussions between Abuja and Washington in the coming days.

For many Nigerians, the US warning only confirms what they live through daily—a country rich in potential but choked by insecurity, healthcare inadequacies, and governmental neglect.