Travel Vaccines and Advice for Nigeria
Nigeria is the most populated region in Africa and has the largest economy in the region.
English is one of the official languages in Nigeria, but only the upper class speak it. The franco lanuga is Pidgin. There are more than 500 official languages in Nigeria, which speaks to its diversity of cultures and tribes. There are more than 500 different ethnic groups that live in Nigeria.
Nigeria is divided in religion: roughly half of its population identifies as Christian and the other half, Muslim. A small part of the population practice indigenous religions.
Nigerian culture has been popularized by authors, including Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and Nollywood (Nigeria’s version of Hollywood). Nollywood is now the second largest producers of films (quantity) in the world.
Although not the capital city of Nigeria, Lagos is the second most populous city on the continent and is a large commercial hub.
Do I Need Vaccines for Nigeria?
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Nigeria. The PHAC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Nigeria: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.
See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunizations:
- Hepatitis A –
Food & Water –
Recommended for most travellers - Hepatitis B –
Blood & Body Fluids –
Recommended for travellers to most regions. - Typhoid –
Food & Water –
Recommended for travellers
to most regions. - Cholera –
Food & Water –
Recommended for travel to most regions. - Yellow Fever –
Mosquito –
Required if travelling from a region with yellow fever. Recommended for all travellers over 9 months of age. - Rabies –
Saliva of Infected Animals –
High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers and those who may come in contact with animals. - Meningitis –
Airborne & Direct Contact –
Located in the meningitis belt, vaccination is recommended during the dry season (Dec. – June) - Polio –
Food & Water –
People of all ages staying in Nigeria for >4 weeks may be required to show proof of polio vaccination before departing Nigeria. Cases have been reported in the last year. - Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) –
Various Vectors –
Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. - TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) –
Wounds & Airborne –
Only one adult booster of pertussis required. - Chickenpox –
Direct Contact & Airborne –
Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. - Shingles –
Direct Contact –
Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. - Pneumonia –
Airborne –
Two vaccines given seperately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. - Influenza –
Airborne –
Vaccine components change annually.
See the tables below for more information:
Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Nigeria |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Food & Water | Recommended for most travellers |
| Hepatitis B | Blood & Body Fluids | Recommended for travellers to most regions. |
| Typhoid | Food & Water | Recommended for travellers to most regions. |
| Cholera | Food & Water | Recommended for travel to most regions. |
| Yellow Fever | Mosquito | Required if travelling from a region with yellow fever. Recommended for all travellers over 9 months of age. |
| Rabies | Saliva of Infected Animals | High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers and those who may come in contact with animals. |
| Meningitis | Airborne & Direct Contact | Located in the meningitis belt, vaccination is recommended during the dry season (Dec. – June) |
| Polio | Food & Water | People of all ages staying in Nigeria for >4 weeks may be required to show proof of polio vaccination before departing Nigeria. Cases have been reported in the last year. |
Routine Vaccinations for Nigeria |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) | Various Vectors | Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. |
| TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) | Wounds & Airborne | Only one adult booster of pertussis required. |
| Chickenpox | Direct Contact & Airborne | Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. |
| Shingles | Direct Contact | Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. |
| Pneumonia | Airborne | Two vaccines given seperately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. |
| Influenza | Airborne | Vaccine components change annually. |
Polio is still a risk to travellers to Nigeria. Make sure your polio vaccination is up-to-date before travelling to the region.
Nigeria is in the meningitis belt, meaning there is an increased risk of infection during certain times of the year. Speak with a travel health specialist to learn if this will affect your itinerary.
Dengue, malaria and chikungunya are all present in Nigeria. Be sure to take repellents, netting and antimalarials with you as part of your travel preparations.
Individuals with HIV/AIDS may not be allowed into the country as part of an effort to stop the spread of the virus within Nigeria.
Medical facilities are usually poor and most medicines are not accessible. Most doctors require payment before a procedure.
Visit our vaccinations page to learn more. Travel safely with Passport Health and schedule your appointment today by calling or book online now.
Customer Reviews
Passport Health – Travel Vaccines for Nigeria
“Our nurse was fantastic. Our (my sister and I) appointment was thorough and easy. Our nurse was knowledgeable and friendly. Travel vaccines were given on site and painless. When we arrived at the appointment she was prepared for all the information we could possible need for our travel destinations which includes more then 6 countries in Africa. Would definitely recommend to family and friends who are doing international travel.”
“Our nurse was awesome to deal with very friendly and knowledgeable it was an overall great operation felt very comfortable and would recommend without hesitation.”
“Very friendly. Very knowledgeable about Nigeria. Very reasonable and didn’t try to over sell protection. I was very impressed.”
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Nigeria?
Canadians must present a passport which is valid for at least 6 months beyond the expected departure date. A visa is required for all business, tourist, and transit purposes.
Nigeria Entry Requirements |
||
| Do I Need A… | For My Trip to Nigeria? | |
|---|---|---|
| Passport |  |
|
| Tourist Visa | |
|
| Business Visa | |
|
| Vaccinations | |
|
Sources: Embassy of Nigeria and Canadian Travel and Tourism
You can’t leave Nigeria unless you present them with the proper paperwork stating that you entered the country legally with a visa.
Nigerian authorities are allowed to deny entry to anyone for “undesirable medical reasons”. This can include HIV/AIDS.
For more information, see our Nigeria visa page. Or contact a Passport Health Passport and Visa specialist by calling 1-844-366-8472 or by filling out our online form.
What is the Climate Like in Nigeria?
Nigeria has four major climates: the northeaster is a warm desert climate; the north is a semi-arid, central Nigeria is a tropical savannah climate and southern Nigeria is a monsoon climate.
Generally, Nigeria is very damp and humid. Nigeria only has two seasons: the dry and rainy seasons. The temperature can range from 18 to 44 degrees depending on the season and the region.
How Safe Is Nigeria?
The Government of Canada has issued a travel warning in Nigeria, urging travellers not to visit the country.
There is a high presence of militant and terrorist groups in Nigeria, including Boko Haram. This heightens the risk of experiencing a terrorist attack, kidnappings, and political violence.
Other jihadist groups can be found in Borno, Kaduna, Bauchi, Yobe, and Kano.
You should avoid drinking alcohol in public.
Travellers should be extra careful around places of worship, hotels, markets and shopping malls.
Festivals and Culture in Nigeria
If you’re looking to experience some of the many cultures of Nigeria, Enugu is an interesting place to visit for a variety of reasons.
In November, you can experience the Mmanwu Festival, a masquerade festival that showcases traditional Igbo culture and dance at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium. This festival is an interaction between the citizens and their ancestors. This particular festival in Enugu features masquerades from over 200 different tribes from around the region.
The festival brings a large amount of different ethnic groups together each year and is usually seen as a celebration of unity.
What Should I Take To Nigeria?
Here are some essential items to consider for your trip to Nigeria:
- Luggage lock to prevent baggage theft.
- Prescription drugs aren’t readily available in Nigeria. You should never buy drugs in Nigeria for they run the risk of being unsafe.
- Lightweight layers for the extreme temperatures and humidity.
- Avoid dark clothing as Tsetse flies are attracted to dark colors and their bites may give you African Sleeping Sickness.
- Water filter tablets to help with having safe and reliable drinking water.
Canadian Embassy in Nigeria
Canadian consular services can help travellers with many issues they may face including passport services. Once in Nigeria, the information for the Canadian Embassy is:
High Commission of Canada in Nigeria
13010G, Palm close, Diplomatic Drive,
Central Business District Abuja, Nigeria
Telephone: (011 234 9) 461-2900
If you have any questions about travelling to Nigeria or are wondering what shots you may need for your trip, schedule an appointment with your local Passport Health travel medicine clinic. Call us at or book online now! and protect yourself today.
On This Page:
Do I Need Vaccines for Nigeria?
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Nigeria?
What is the Climate Like in Nigeria?
How Safe is Nigeria?
Festivals and Culture in Nigeria
What Should I Take To Nigeria?
Canadian Embassy in Nigeria
