# Canada Issues Updated Travel Advisory for Nigeria: What Ottawa Travellers Need to Know
If you’re planning a trip to Nigeria from Ottawa, an important travel advisory update from the Government of Canada deserves your immediate attention. On April 2, 2026, the federal government reinforced its warning for Canadians considering travel to this West African nation, maintaining a **Level 3 advisory: Avoid Non-Essential Travel** for most of the country.
Understanding what this advisory means—and how to protect yourself if you must travel—could be critical to your safety and health abroad.
## What Does Level 3 Mean?
A Level 3 advisory is serious. It signals that the Canadian government has identified significant and widespread risks that could affect your personal security. For Nigeria, these dangers stem from terrorism threats, armed attacks, kidnapping risks, inter-communal violence, and high crime rates across much of the country.
The advisory is even stricter for certain regions. The government urges Canadians to **avoid all travel** to Nigeria’s northwestern, northcentral, and northeastern states, as well as most Niger Delta states and border areas. Only the cities of Calabar and Lagos carry a less severe warning, though travellers should still exercise a high degree of caution there.
## The Risks Are Real and Varied
Beyond security threats, Nigeria presents multiple health challenges that Ottawa travellers must take seriously. Infectious diseases including malaria, yellow fever, typhoid, and hepatitis are endemic. The country also faces periodic outbreaks of cholera and meningitis, particularly during certain seasons.
Crime—from petty theft to violent robbery—affects both locals and visitors. Demonstrations can erupt without warning and escalate quickly, sometimes resulting in telecommunications disruptions and movement restrictions. The unpredictable security environment means situations can deteriorate rapidly.
## Essential Preparation Steps
If your travel to Nigeria is truly essential—perhaps for family, business, or humanitarian reasons—thorough preparation isn’t optional.
Start with a comprehensive travel health consultation at least 4-6 weeks before departure. Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for entry into Nigeria, and you’ll need proof of immunization. Additional vaccines for hepatitis A and B, typhoid, meningitis, and rabies may be recommended based on your itinerary and activities.
Malaria prevention is critical. A travel health professional can prescribe appropriate antimalarial medication and advise you on mosquito bite prevention strategies.
Ottawa residents should also ensure their comprehensive travel insurance covers medical evacuation, register with the Canadian government’s Registration of Canadians Abroad service, and maintain copies of important documents in multiple locations.
Stay informed about local conditions, avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, and maintain heightened awareness of your surroundings at all times.
Travelling to Nigeria? Before you go, speak with one of our ISTM-certified travel health physicians – virtually, 7 days a week. A pre-travel consultation covers vaccines, medications, and destination-specific health risks. Book your virtual consultation at Orleans Travel Clinic Pharmacy.