3.9. Mobility and freedom of movement

3.9. Mobility and freedom of movement

As enshrined in Article 41 of the 1999 Constitution, ‘[e]very citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof (…).1255 No information on specific administrative requirements needed by Nigerian nationals to move/relocate across the country could be found among all sources consulted.1256

Sources reported that, in fact, checkpoints, insecurity and infrastructure gaps in some areas hinder freedom of movement in the country.1257 Checkpoints are set up by both security forces and armed groups.1258 State security forces reportedly mount checkpoints to collect illegal tolls, extort truckers,1259 and in some areas, as part of curfews to address security-related events.1260 Business Day reported that, according to the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, 53 checkpoints by security forces are located on the corridor that connects Lagos and Seme, Benin, making the travel longer and exposing travellers and truckers to extortion by security officials.1261 Nigerian newspaper The Sun similarly reported that between Lagos and Onitsha, Anambra, commuters pass through over 60 security checkpoints, locally dubbed ‘“collection checkpoints”’, where interrogations, extortions, and mistreatment, including floggings, harassment, beatings, and humiliations, by security forces have been reported.1262 The same source also reported the existence of security forces’ checkpoints in Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Anambra states.1263

The US Country Reports on Nigeria indicated that in areas under the influence or presence of Boko Haram, ISWAP, or Islamist groups associated with them, ‘residents often found themselves subject to roadblocks, searches, and other restrictive security measures by authorities and other armed groups’.1264

For more information on road and travel security at county and state level see EUAA COI Report – Nigeria Security Situation, November 2025.

In 2024, the government of Nigeria, in collaboration with UNHCR, facilitated the voluntary return of 50 households (242 Nigerian refugees) from Minawao Camp in Cameroon to Bama, Borno state.1265 UNHCR also implemented ‘border monitoring’ with Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) with 11 000 families (39 000 individuals) who were granted ‘safe access, mostly spontaneous refugee returnees’.1266

The website of the Nigeria Immigration Service indicated that all passengers entering or leaving Nigeria need to produce Landing or Exit Cards,1267 which are obtained online on the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) website within 96 hours before the travel.1268 Nigerians returning with an expired passport can enter the country.1269

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) website indicated that there are five international and 11 domestic airports1270 in the country.1271