International
UK Updates Nigeria Travel Advisory, Flags Sokoto Over Security Risks
The United Kingdom has added Sokoto State to the list of areas where it advises against all travel in Nigeria, while maintaining warnings against all or all but essential travel to several other states due to security concerns.
The update was published by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on Friday, October 16, 2026, and the advisory remained current as of Saturday, October 17. The latest update specifically announced the addition of Sokoto State to the list of areas facing a total travel warning.
According to the advisory, the FCDO advises against all travel to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe states in the North-East, as well as Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto states in the North-West.
The office also advises against all but essential travel to Bauchi State in the North-East, while Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi and Jigawa states in the North-West remain under the same category of warning.
In North-Central Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, including Abuja, the UK government advises against all but essential travel to Niger, Kogi, Plateau, Taraba, Kwara and Benue states.
The advisory further warns against all travel to riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. These areas are described as river and swamp locations accessible by boat but not by road.
For the South-East and South-South, the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Abia, Anambra and Imo states, as well as non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states.
The UK government warned that travelling against its advice could invalidate a traveller’s insurance.
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO),” the advisory stated.
It urged people planning trips to research their destinations and obtain appropriate travel insurance covering their itineraries, planned activities and potential emergency expenses.
The FCDO noted that no travel could be guaranteed safe, advising travellers to read the full guidance and consider additional information relevant to their circumstances before departure.
The advisory provides guidance on travel risks to help people make informed decisions about visiting Nigeria.
