Nigeria

Visa requirements for Nigeria depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.

November–March is the dry season — best for Lagos, Abuja, and northern Nigeria. The Harmattan (dry, dusty wind from the Sahara) runs December–February, bringing haze and cooler nights. April–October is wet season; the south receives heavy rainfall.

• Smart casual in cities — Nigerians dress stylishly, especially in Lagos
• Traditional attire (agbada, aso-oke, ankara fabric) is worn for ceremonies and church
• Modest dress in northern, Muslim-majority states
• Cover shoulders and knees in mosques and churches

• Greet elders with 'Good morning/afternoon/evening sir/ma' — respect for seniority is paramount
• Nigerians are naturally warm, expressive, and jovial — conversations are lively and loud
• Always use the right hand for eating, giving, and receiving
• Never snap your fingers at someone — considered disrespectful
• Hospitality is enormous — you will be fed generously

• Twelve northern states operate under Sharia law alongside federal law — alcohol and other restrictions apply there
• LGBTQ+ activity is illegal under the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act 2014; in northern states, penalties can include flogging or imprisonment
• Drug trafficking carries the death penalty
• Photography of military installations, government buildings, and the presidency is prohibited
• Register with your country's embassy on arrival — consular access can be difficult in some situations