If you are a white woman and want to travel to Nigeria but ask questions such as “Is Nigeria safe for white tourists? Is it safe for a white woman to travel to Nigeria”? I want to try as much as possible to be honest in my answer. Nigeria is a giant of Africa, one of the most populated countries with diverse cultures, religions, and ethnicity which has put in a big trial of cooperation.
Yes, it has its own challenges but still remains one of the best African countries to visit as a tourist or foreigner. Not just because of the beautiful landmarks it possesses but also the diverse culture that introduces you to the brand new world of nature.
There are a lot of beautiful attractions in the country from rocks (Olumo rock down to beautiful natural water such as Agbokim waterfall and of course the natural Obudu Cattle Ranch in Cross River. So if you are really asking if Nigeria is a safe place, before I even go further, I’ll say a big Yes, it is absolutely safe to travel to Nigeria as a white tourist. However, as a tourist, one of your dreams is to visit almost all the nations of the earth and explore them. You could be wondering how safe Nigeria is especially for white tourists which is why you searched the phrase on Google.
Don’t worry, this article will answer the questions and also help you make an informed decision about traveling/visiting Nigeria as a tourist, just carefully read this article till the end and take note of things.
Before a country is said to be safe, there are many things that are put into consideration and questions to be asked such as, are the terrorist attacks? natural disaster, how is the healthcare system? and a lot more.
This and many more are what we will be talking about in this article which will help you know if Nigeria is safe for white tourists.
Things to Consider Before Visiting Any Country
If you are considering visiting any country including Nigeria, there are certain things you need to know before visiting such as;
Crime Rate
The crime rate of any country eats deep into the economy of that nation. It is one of the worse poisons that create fear and panic in foreign investors and tourists to visit such countries Nigeria has not been so perfect or far from crime just like many other nations. Nigeria’s political and economic insecurity creates favorable conditions for crime, which range from simple stealing and pickpocketing to armed robberies, muggers’ galleries, kidnappings, and carjackings.
While terrorist threats are more common in the north of the country, robberies and kidnappings are more common in the south.
However, these kinds of attacks are never targeted at foreigners. Nigerians love foreigners and treat them as kings and queens. So if you visit Nigeria as a white woman or tourist, you are sure to be well respected by even the criminals and the normal people because you are seen differently from the actual Nigerian citizen.
Scam Rate
The scam rate is another thing to consider before visiting any country. Nigeria is not an exception. Many countries including Europe, Asia, and America operate in different scams. Nigeria is no different so this cannot be the only factor you wouldn’t want to visit the country.
These levels of scams are however not targeted at foreign visitors. However, they are usually targeted at Nigerians and foreigners in their countries. So you should be sure of your safety while in Nigeria.
Email is often used to start these crimes, therefore any messages that seem odd should be reported to the police or scrutinized before replying to or clicking any internal link.
Unsavory people frequently prowl the airport in search of a naive target to con or rob. According to reports, these guys frequently impersonate taxi drivers.
Be warned that not all customs officers will be following the law when you are at the airport. It can be the case if anything feels strange to you. If you are unsure, try asking for guidance from management.
Terrorism
In Nigeria, there are several terrorist organizations at work, and terrorist strikes can occur anywhere.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), the Boko Haram terrorist organization, Ansaru (Jamaat al Ansar al Muslimeen fi Bilad al Sudan), and Islamic State West Africa are among the terrorist organizations (ISWA).
Although there have been a sizable number of assaults abroad, the UK Government’s advice indicates that “the majority of attacks take place in northern and north-eastern Nigeria.
Travelers should always be aware of their surroundings and vigilant. In times of civil upheaval, pay attention to local news broadcasts and stay away from crowded areas and huge gatherings.
Healthcare system
As a consequence of inadequate political will on the part of succeeding administrations to successfully address a variety of issues that have long persisted in the sector over many years, healthcare delivery in Nigeria has steadily become worse.
This has an immediate effect on citizen productivity and, indirectly, Nigeria’s economic expansion. More than 50% of Nigerians survive on less than $1.90 a day.
However, some states have good healthcare systems than others but then not good enough which is why most politicians get to travel abroad for medical checkups and treatments. However, there are a lot of good medical facilities in Nigeria in many states including Lagos, Abuja, Anambra, etc.
Is Nigeria Safe For White Tourists?
Yes, Nigeria is safe for white tourists. The country has some of the best African cultures and traditions to explore. White people are treated in Nigeria like kings and queens perhaps due to their distinguished colors which makes them one of the safest person to visit or live in Nigeria.
Now that we have looked at some of the things to consider as a white tourist before traveling to any country and in this context Nigeria, you can now agree with me that Nigeria is not safe for white tourists.
But then this does not mean that the country is totally dangerous because over the year thousand of people/tourists have visited the country and explored it.
However, you must be very careful when you visit the country and avoid going to the states that have had previous cases of crime and terrorism such as kidnapping and bombing such as the North.
Is It Safe For A White Woman To Travel To Nigeria?
Yes, it is very safe for any white woman to travel to Nigeria. The good thing is that you will be treated specially. Nigeria loves white people. They call them Oyinbo pepper due to their white colors. Even when bad things are happening in a place, Nigerians can protect white foreigners and let their own families perish.
So if you are asking if it is safe for a white woman to travel to Nigeria, then the honest answer is Yes, you can travel to Nigeria without fear as a white foreigner.
Is It Safe To Travel To Nigeria Right Now?
Yes, right now, Nigeria is very safe to travel to from any country. Whether you are visiting the country as a tourist, looking for greener pastures, or starting a business here, Nigeria is still very welcoming.
As a visitor, you will be treated very special and would face fewer challenges or obstacles as compared to the citizens. Every nation has its liaison offices and consulates in Nigeria.
The Embassy of your country would always be available to mediate on your behalf with the government of Nigeria to ensure everything is smooth for you throughout your stay in the country.
Is Lagos Nigeria Safe?
Yes, Lagos is safe to visit and live in. I have been living in Lagos state for a most longer part of my life and I must say it’s one of the best places in Nigeria to be. With over 20 million residents, Lagos is very safe to live in or visit. Lagos state has some of the coolest beaches and hangout spots in Africa. There are hundreds of places to explore in Lagos state including Land Mark Beach, and Umu Resorts, among others.
In Lagos state, you would never be bored because there is any kind of fun that you are looking for over there. There are clubs, premium hotels, beaches, parks, and lots of recreational centers to take advantage of.
If you need a wild life, you can go to the zoon to see animals. When you are up for an adventure, you can explore the Lekki Conversation Centre for a canopy walk. If you are up for a drink, you can decide if a hotel, restaurant, or waterside is your desire and make your choice accordingly. But any kind of lifestyle that you desire is available in Lagos state.
Is it Safe to be a Tourist in Nigeria?
Yes, it is 100% safe to be a tourist in Nigeria. You’ll get to enjoy thousands of unlimited tourist attractions in the big cities of Nigeria such as beaches, national parks, museums, the slave trade museum in Badgry, beautiful hotels, and hundreds of others.
This country is blessed with a lot of beautiful things. Although the government is so lazy to improve on many of them. However, the private sector is working so hard to make many cities more attractive. So the question “is it safe to be a tourist in Nigeria?” is actually yes.
Is Lagos Safe For White Tourists?
Yes, Lagos state is very safe for white tourists. Lagos state is very for both white and black tourists. Lagos is one of the most secure states in Africa.
As a mega city housing people from all over the world, the state is well-secured with less crime rates. The only crimes that are usually noticed in Lagos are arm robberies, rapping, Agberos (Danfo levy collectors), and Omonile.
However, these minor crimes are never targeted at foreigners but are majorly carried out by citizens. So it’s safe for foreign tourists but be sure to be on guard at all costs.
Why is Nigeria not safe?
In Nigeria, crime is quite common and includes armed robberies, assaults, kidnappings, terrorism, as well as marine crime, and piracy.
Numerous regions of the nation, particularly northern Nigeria, have a relatively high murder rate. In Nigeria, there is also an endless possibility of civil disturbance due to ethnic groups, tribalism, and religions being the major challenges facing the country.
But nonetheless, Nigeria is always safe to visit. Disregard any false information on the internet discouraging you.
What part of Nigeria is not safe?
Northern Nigeria. The FCDO advises against all travel to Borno State, Yobe State, Adamawa State, Gombe State, Kaduna State, Katsina State, and Zamfara State. Violent attacks are frequent and there is a high threat of kidnap.
These states have been the epic centers for all kinds of criminal activities since 2009 such as kidnapping, abduction, Boko Haram, religious fights, etc.
Can US citizens travel to Nigeria right now?
There are a lot of United States citizens who live and do business in Nigeria without complains. The US has one of the biggest and busiest consular in Nigeria and the welfare of the US citizens is always well taken care of. The safest cities of Nigeria currently include Lagos state, Abuja, Cross River, and Enugu state.
So if you are a US citizen and wish to travel to Nigeria consider any of the above states for your visit. You can as well move from one state to another but endeavour to travel by air to avoid traffic and other criminal activities that might occur on the roads.
In A Nutshell;
Is Nigeria safe for white tourists? Yes, Nigeria is a very safe place to visit as a foreigner or white tourist. With about 200 million people, Nigeria has some of the best tourists and natural attractions including national parks, museums, beaches, and 5 stars hotels and suites.
