Nigeria travel health
Sources checked
Overview
Prepare for routine vaccinations, mandatory entry screening, strong malaria exposure and seasonal risks (meningitis, Lassa fever). Carry proof of vaccination when required, plan insect‑bite prevention and antimalarial prophylaxis, and expect variable access to advanced care outside major cities.
Administrative and screening requirements
Nigeria requires all international arrivals to complete the NCDC digital Health Declaration before boarding and to present the resulting QR/pdf to Port Health on arrival — airlines check completion at check‑in. Nigeria Centre for Disease Control — NCDC Health Declaration Portal.
Vaccinations and entry requirements
Separate legal/documentary requirements from clinical recommendations. The items below describe official certificate rules and common travel‑clinic advice for visitors.
Yellow fever (certificate requirement and vaccine)
Nigeria expects travellers to have a valid International Certificate of Vaccination (yellow card / e‑Yellow Card) and the NCDC declaration asks for yellow‑card details; the vaccine is recommended for personal protection for people aged ≥9 months. Get vaccinated at an approved centre at least 10 days before travel when possible; exemptions (very young infants, some immunocompromised people and older adults) are noted in national guidance. NCDC — Yellow Fever FAQs · NCDC Health Declaration Portal.
Polio (exit/reciprocal vaccination checks)
Nigeria has reported poliovirus detections in recent surveillance; some public‑health guidance and travel clinics advise that long‑stay travellers (for example ≥4 weeks) may be asked for proof of recent polio vaccination on departure and that adults with childhood series may receive a single inactivated‑polio booster before travel. Check country exit rules and carry your vaccine record. TravelHealthPro — Nigeria · CDC — Nigeria travel guidance (polio).
Routine and commonly recommended vaccines
Stay up to date with routine immunizations (MMR, DTaP/Tdap, polio, varicella, influenza). Additional routinely recommended vaccines for most travellers include hepatitis A and typhoid; hepatitis B is recommended for those with anticipated blood/sexual exposure, long stays or medical procedures. Rabies pre‑exposure vaccine should be considered for long stays, children, or travellers with occupational or remote‑area exposure to animals. Meningococcal ACWY vaccine is recommended for travel to states within the African meningitis belt during the dry season (roughly December–June). For details and age/contraindication notes, consult a travel‑health clinician. CDC — Vaccines and medicines for Nigeria · TravelHealthPro — Nigeria.
Cholera and other vaccine options
Active cholera transmission has been reported in Nigeria; oral cholera vaccine may be considered for people whose accommodation, work or itinerary places them at higher risk (humanitarian workers, those visiting outbreak areas with limited water/sanitation). Discuss cholera vaccine if you fit these categories. CDC — cholera in Nigeria.
Other health risks and practical prevention
Most visitors will benefit from planning to avoid mosquito bites, food‑ and waterborne illness, animal exposures and seasonally patterned infections. Consider daily realities of your itinerary (urban vs rural, duration, accommodation, contact with local communities) when choosing vaccines and medicines.
Malaria
Malaria transmission (primarily Plasmodium falciparum) occurs year‑round across Nigeria. CDC recommends that all travellers take prescription antimalarial prophylaxis and use insect‑bite prevention (sleeping under treated nets, repellents, clothing). Common options include atovaquone‑proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine or tafenoquine — choice depends on medical history and destination. Start drugs as directed before travel and continue after return; consult your clinician for a regimen. CDC — Malaria guidance for Nigeria · WHO/AFRO — malaria context in Nigeria.
Lassa fever and viral hemorrhagic fevers
Lassa fever is endemic in Nigeria and shows seasonal rises; it is spread primarily from rodents and by contact with infected body fluids. Avoid contact with rodents, practice good food storage and hygiene, and seek prompt care for febrile illness. NCDC publishes regular Lassa situation reports and clinical guidance for healthcare workers. NCDC — Lassa fever sitreps and guidance · CDC — Lassa fever prevention notes.
Meningitis
Northern Nigeria lies within the African meningitis belt; risk increases in the dry season (roughly December–June). Meningococcal ACWY vaccine is advised for travellers to affected states during the dry season or for those with prolonged local exposure. Follow local advisories and seek urgent care for signs of severe headache, fever, neck stiffness or altered mental state. NCDC — public health advisory on cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) · CDC — meningococcal guidance.
Food‑ and water‑borne infections, diarrhoea and cholera
Traveler's diarrhea is common; practise food and water hygiene, handwashing and pack oral rehydration salts. Cholera is reported regionally — avoid unsafe water and raw street foods, and consider cholera vaccine if your itinerary exposes you to outbreak conditions with limited access to safe water. CDC — food, water and cholera advice.
Animal bites, rabies and other zoonoses
Dog rabies occurs in Nigeria and wildlife reservoirs exist. If you will be in contact with animals, in remote areas, or with children, consider rabies pre‑exposure vaccination; post‑exposure prophylaxis (vaccine and immunoglobulin) may be scarce outside larger urban centres. Always wash bites immediately and seek medical care. CDC — rabies risk and guidance.
Other mosquito‑borne infections (dengue, chikungunya, Zika)
Dengue and chikungunya occur in Nigeria; avoid daytime and evening mosquito bites. For long‑stay travellers or those with occupational exposure, discuss chikungunya vaccine options where relevant. Pregnant travellers should consult a clinician about Zika risk. CDC — dengue, chikungunya, Zika notes.
Current health alerts
Only currently supported, country‑specific public‑health developments are listed below.
Imported Ebola disease — Federal Capital Territory (October 2026)
On 20 October 2026 Nigerian authorities confirmed an imported case of Ebola (Bundibugyo virus) in the Federal Capital Territory; the patient was isolated and response measures (surveillance, contact tracing, IPC) were activated. Follow NCDC updates and avoid contact with body fluids of anyone suspected to be ill. NCDC — Update on Nigeria’s Ebola disease response (25 Oct 2026) · NCDC — Situation report (case confirmation).
Lassa fever — ongoing seasonal activity (2026)
NCDC publishes weekly Lassa fever situation reports documenting confirmed cases and deaths during the 2026 peak season; travellers in affected states should avoid rodent exposure and seek care for febrile illness. NCDC — Lassa fever situation reports.
Meningitis — dry‑season risk in northern states
NCDC issued a public health advisory in March 2026 reminding the public that cerebrospinal meningitis risk rises in the dry season (roughly December–April) especially in states within the meningitis belt; travellers to northern states during the dry season should consider meningococcal vaccination where indicated. NCDC — Public Health Advisory on Cerebrospinal Meningitis (3 Mar 2026) · CDC — meningococcal guidance.
Cholera — active transmission reported
CDC reporting indicates active cholera transmission in Nigeria; travellers should follow strict water and food precautions and consider cholera vaccine if their itinerary places them in outbreak areas with limited access to safe water. CDC — cholera and waterborne disease note.
Before you travel
See a travel‑health clinician 4–6 weeks before departure to review your itinerary, health history and required paperwork. Pack insect repellent, an effective antimalarial, a first‑aid kit, oral rehydration salts and copies of vaccination records. Expect immigration and port‑health checks for the NCDC Health Declaration and your yellow‑fever documentation.
Further reading and official sources
For official entry procedures and health declarations use the NCDC Health Declaration Portal and the NCDC yellow fever guidance; for clinical vaccine and prophylaxis recommendations consult CDC travel guidance and TravelHealthPro. NCDC Health Declaration Portal · NCDC — Yellow Fever FAQs · CDC — Nigeria travel health · TravelHealthPro — Nigeria.
This information summarizes published public‑health guidance. A travel‑health professional can advise on your itinerary, medical history and vaccination needs.
