Nigeria: visa and entry rules

Nigeria's borders: every crossing point

Nigeria's land border crossings, by the neighbours it shares a border with:

With Benin: Seme — Krake on the coast, the main crossing on the Lagos - Cotonou road.

With Niger: Illela — Birni N'Konni and Jibiya in the north.

With Cameroon: Mfum — Ekok in the east.

With Chad the overland link runs through the Lake Chad area and is complicated by the situation there.

Seme is one of the busiest crossings in Africa, and the main flow between Lagos and the French-speaking coast passes through it.

The main way in is Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Abuja airport.

Bringing a car into Nigeria

Temporary import into Nigeria is handled under local rules, and those differ from country to country and change: find out the permitted period and whether a carnet is required in advance.

Insurance has to be local, and it is bought at the border.

An International Driving Permit is required.

Traffic police are active on the highways, and documents are checked often.

The Seme crossing is overloaded, and getting through takes hours.

Travelling to Nigeria with a pet

An international veterinary certificate is required, certified by the state veterinary service of the country you are leaving.

A rabies vaccination must be valid on the date of entry.

An import permit is obtained in advance from the veterinary service.

Confirm vaccination timings, the microchip and quarantine rules for import into Nigeria with your carrier before you buy tickets.

Overstaying your visa in Nigeria

A fine is charged for exceeding the period of your visa and is paid on departure.

The amount is calculated at the moment of departure. Published rates for Nigeria contradict one another and go out of date — count on cash and an extra hour at the border.

Extensions are arranged in advance, before the permitted period expires.

For a serious overstay — detention and deportation at your own expense.