The United Kingdom has advised its citizens against all travel to parts of 11 Nigerian states, including Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe, while urging them to undertake only essential trips to parts of 19 other states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The latest caution was issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on Thursday, August 20, 2026, as part of its updated travel advice for Nigeria.
The FCDO advised against all travel to four states in the North-East—Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe—and two states in the North-West, Katsina and Zamfara.
In the South-East and South-South, the UK government advised against all travel to riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
The FCDO described the affected riverine locations as “the river and swamp locations accessible by boat, but not by road.”
The latest caution places 11 areas under its strongest travel warning, citing regional security concerns.
The UK government also stated essential travel to Bauchi State in the North-East,
While In the North-West, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa and Sokoto states were placed under the same advisory.
The caution also covered several North-Central states, including Niger, Kogi, Plateau, Taraba, Kwara and Benue.
In the South-East and South-South, the UK stated only essential travel to Abia, Anambra and Imo states, as well as non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states.
The Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, was also listed among areas where the UK government stated for only essential travel.
The FCDO cautioned British nationals and other travellers that “No travel can be guaranteed safe” and urged those planning trips to Nigeria to study its travel advice before travelling.
The UK government also advised prospective travellers to “research your destinations” and “get appropriate travel insurance” before embarking on their journeys.
It warned that “Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).”
The FCDO said travellers should ensure that their insurance covered their entire itinerary, planned activities and expenses that might arise in an emergency.
The latest update also included information on IVF, fertility treatment scams and overseas adoption.
The UK travel advice covers entry requirements, safety and security, regional risks, health concerns and information on how British nationals can obtain assistance while in Nigeria.
The advisory is divided into areas where the UK government recommends against all travel and those where it recommends travel only when essential.
The states and areas under the “against all travel” category are Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina and Zamfara, as well as the riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.
Under the “ essential travel only” category are Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Niger, Kogi, Plateau, Taraba, Kwara, Benue, Abia, Anambra and Imo states.
The category also covers the non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, including Abuja.
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