UK Red Flags 11 Nigerian States, Abuja in Fresh Travel Warning
The United Kingdom has issued a fresh travel warning for Nigeria, advising its citizens against travelling to six states and certain riverine areas in five other states.
The updated advisory was released by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on Thursday, August 20, 2026.
Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina and Zamfara were placed under the strongest restriction, with British nationals advised against all travel to the six states.
The warning also covers riverine parts of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River. The FCDO described the affected areas as river and swamp locations accessible by boat but not by road.
The UK government further advised against all but essential travel to 15 other states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The states are Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Niger, Kogi, Plateau, Taraba, Kwara, Benue, Abia, Anambra and Imo.
Non-riverine parts of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers were also included in the category, alongside Abuja and the wider Federal Capital Territory.
The FCDO urged British nationals travelling to Nigeria to research their destinations and keep up with the security situation before setting out.
It also advised travellers to obtain appropriate travel insurance covering their entire itinerary, planned activities and possible emergency costs.
The UK government warned that insurance policies may not remain valid if travellers visit areas against official FCDO advice.
The updated guidance also contains information on entry requirements, security risks, health issues and access to assistance while in Nigeria.
The advisory includes additional warnings concerning IVF and fertility treatment scams and overseas adoption.
Areas under the UK travel warning
Against all travel:
- Borno
- Yobe
- Adamawa
- Gombe
- Katsina
- Zamfara
- Riverine areas of Delta
- Riverine areas of Bayelsa
- Riverine areas of Rivers
- Riverine areas of Akwa Ibom
- Riverine areas of Cross River
Against all but essential travel:
- Bauchi
- Kaduna
- Kano
- Kebbi
- Jigawa
- Sokoto
- Niger
- Kogi
- Plateau
- Taraba
- Kwara
- Benue
- Abia
- Anambra
- Imo
- Non-riverine areas of Delta
- Non-riverine areas of Bayelsa
- Non-riverine areas of Rivers
- Federal Capital Territory, including Abuja
