COMMON ANALYSIS
Last update: March 2026
The analysis below is based on the following EUAA COI reports: Country Focus 2025, 3.9.; Security 2025, 2.1.2., 2.6.6.; Country Guidance should not be referred to as a source of COI.
If the criterion of ‘safety’ is satisfied, as a next step, it has to be established whether an applicant can safely and legally travel and gain admittance in the suggested IPA location.
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Safely travel
International airports operating international flights exist in various Nigerian cities, including in Lagos and Abuja.
Lagos is served by Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, the major transit hub of the country for both domestic and international travel. MMIA is generally accessible by road. No specific information could be found during the reference period on road security incidents or (attempted) kidnappings on the road from the airport to the city of Lagos. However, such incidents have been reported in Lagos and Ikeja LGA.
Abuja is served by Nnamdi Azikwe International airport (NAIA), located 12 kilometres west of Abuja, and is the country’s second busiest airport. NAIA hosts flights to and from domestic and international destinations. The Abuja-Lokoja Highway, directly west from the airport, has been reported as plagued by violent crime and kidnappings, although recent reports indicate a significant reduction in criminal activity due to increased patrols by Nigerian security forces. Deserted checkpoints on the Abuja-Lokoja Highway have been used for ambushes. Security incidents in the Abuja Municipal LGA have been also reported.
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Legally travel
There are no legal or administrative restrictions for Nigerians to travel in Nigeria, including in Abuja and Lagos.
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Gain admittance
There are no legal or administrative restrictions or requirements for Nigerians to be admitted in any part of the country, including in Abuja and Lagos.
Some security incidents have been recorded in Lagos and in Abuja, including at the proximity of the airports. However, this does not preclude the safety of travel, in general. Furthermore, there are no legal or administrative restrictions to travel and gain admittance in Lagos and Abuja.