A former Nigerian official and security expert has sharply condemned the most recent travel warning released by the U.S. government, calling it inflated, unhelpful, and grounded in obsolete information.
On July 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of State issued an alert advising Americans to carefully think about traveling to Nigeria because of extensive instability, terrorist activities, abductions, public disturbances, and inadequate medical facilities. Eighteen states were placed in the “Avoid Travel” classification, such as Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and parts of northern Adamawa owing to threats from terrorists and kidnappers, along with some southern regions affected by criminal violence and gang activity.
In response to the warning, Ambassador Suleiman Dahiru, a former Nigerian diplomat, stated that the U.S. administration has established a habit of releasing travel advisories that fail to enhance safety but end up harming Nigeria’s global image.
It’s regrettable that the United States has developed a practice of issuing warnings, often together with its European allies,” Dahiru stated during an interview yesterday. “Unfortunately for them, none of these advisories have led to any outcome.
He criticized the United States for being hypocritical, noting that numerous dangers mentioned in the warning are actually more common inside the country.
“In only one place, America, do people visit a restaurant for food and end up getting shot and dying there. In just one country, America, individuals go to a shopping mall to browse and then meet their death there. I haven’t come across any reports about Nigerians or foreigners being murdered inside a shopping mall in Nigeria,” he stated.
Dahiru also claimed that the advice was driven by political intentions and showed insincerity.
“They are using old data or intelligence. They are also depending on conversations at beer parlors. Everything they’re discussing hasn’t occurred in Nigeria,” he stated.
He additionally condemned the United States for not working with Nigerian officials in a productive manner.
“If the United States is genuine, and if they notice some issues that are problematic, it is their responsibility to inform the Nigerian government so that the Nigerian government may implement appropriate actions to safeguard both Nigerians and foreign nationals,” he stated.
A retired official voiced worries about what he referred to as the United States’ conflicting principles and its partnership with Israel, specifically concerning the human suffering in Gaza.
“They are working together with Israel to carry out their actions without regard for human life,” he stated.
There is completely no reason to issue these false warnings, particularly since none of the alerts have led to any accident or disaster in Nigeria.
Cybersecurity specialists have also raised concerns about when and how broad the alert was, cautioning that these notices might put pressure on international relationships and deter overseas investments.
The Nigerian authorities have not released an official statement regarding the most recent alert, although they previously criticized a comparable notice, maintaining that Abuja is still secure for both locals and tourists.
A security analyst criticizes the travel warning, raises concerns about diplomatic consequences, and highlights potential financial dangers
A prominent Nigerian security expert has condemned the most recent travel alert released by the U.S. authorities, calling it standard practice yet harmful to Nigeria’s international reputation and foreign ties.
In an interview held yesterday evening, Kabiru Adamu, the Managing Director of Beacon Consulting Limited, stated that the newly issued guidance—released by the U.S. State Department and shared through its embassy in Abuja—is “a standard procedure” grounded in gathered security data covering environmental, political, and health-related dangers.
Now, regarding this new warning, the significant shift we observed was related to what they described as the uneven access to healthcare services,” Adamu stated. “Essentially, things stayed much the same… however, this specific mention carries various consequences for Nigeria.
He outlined four significant outcomes: deterioration of public perception, increased diplomatic tensions, heightened demand for healthcare system reforms, and negative impact on Nigeria’s challenging medical field.
“It strengthens the global view of Nigeria as insecure and without essential facilities. We might discourage overseas investments and travel,” he mentioned.
Adamu pointed out that the advice might deter people from the diaspora from visiting, lead to stricter insurance conditions, and raise the chances of kidnapping for ransom.
We feel somewhat let down since, as demonstrated in our June report, there has been a 79% drop in kidnapping for ransom incidents across various regions of Nigeria. Regrettably, this warning from the U.S. government failed to account for that.
He cautioned that the advice might increase risk premiums for global investors and impose operational challenges on foreign travelers and supply networks.
If the warning states ‘avoid traveling’… and critical business supplies come from such areas, it could significantly affect the capability of maintaining the supply chain.
Adamu also foresaw secondary impacts on other international embassies.
I wouldn’t be shocked if, in the next few days, you observe European Union nations issuing comparable warnings… Australia might also take the same approach. Japan could follow suit as well, merely mirroring what the United States has done.
He ended with a call for diplomatic interaction between Nigeria and the United States.
This travel warning doesn’t reflect a welcoming nation… I’m hopeful that the Nigerian authorities will improve their approach… so that future updates of this nature… may become less severe.
FG mum…
Although several attempts were made through phone calls and text messages to reach the representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kimiebi Ebienfa, there has been no reply concerning the department’s stance on the most recent U.S. travel warning.
Nevertheless, one might remember that last month, the Nigerian administration publicly condemned an analogous notice released by the U.S. Embassy, which advised its staff not to visit military and governmental sites in Abuja, referencing increased worldwide safety issues without identifying any specific regional danger.
In reply to the alert, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, mentioned that Abuja continues to be secure for locals and tourists, confirming Nigeria’s appreciation for foreign embassies’ ability to provide warnings, but emphasizing there was nothing to worry about.
In response, when reached late last night regarding the new travel warning released by the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, Alkasim Abdulkadir, the Special Advisor for Media and Public Relations to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, stated: “Currently, the department is examining the details of the advisory and will provide a suitable reply.”
The travel advisory Travel
The guidance states, among other things: “Avoid traveling to: Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and northern Adamawa states because of terrorist activities and abductions. Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states because of abduction risks. Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states (excluding Port Harcourt) due to criminal activity, kidnappings, and violent groups.”
National Overview: The nation experiences frequent violent crimes such as armed theft, physical attacks, vehicle hijackings, abductions, taking of captives, highway robberies, and sexual assaults.
Ransom-related kidnappings occur frequently. These incidents mainly focus on individuals with dual nationality who are traveling in Nigeria and American citizens seen as affluent. Additionally, kidnapping groups have begun intercepting victims along highways between states.
Regarding terrorism, the U.S. administration cautioned that there is a potential for violent acts by terrorists in Nigeria. This encompasses both attack operations and additional related actions.
“Violent crimes and gang activities are prevalent in this region. Offenses involve abductions and attacks against Nigerian law enforcement agencies,” it stated, noting that conflicts may erupt between farming and pastoralist groups in remote regions.
“Nigeria’s healthcare institutions typically do not meet the levels of U.S. or European setups. Several drugs remain inaccessible. This encompasses standard treatments for conditions like diabetes or asthma,” the administration cautioned.
Carry sufficient non-prescription and prescribed medications for the duration of your trip to Nigeria. Ensure immunizations are up-to-date with all routine vaccines, along with yellow fever, meningitis, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and a booster dose for polio.
Every visitor must use malaria prevention medication. Nigeria has a significant risk of malaria. The issue of fake medicines is widespread. Medical facilities usually require upfront cash payments for treatment.
Most medical facilities and healthcare providers do not recognize U.S. health insurance. Emergency care systems similar to those found in the U.S. or Europe are absent. The availability of blood supplies is frequently uncertain.
Emergency ambulance services can be inconsistent, equipped poorly, and frequently lack qualified paramedic staff. It is highly advised to obtain travel insurance, such as coverage for medical repatriation, prior to your trip.
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