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Nigeria
Health Overview
Key Health Risks
Health Risk Callout
Other Health Risks
Regional Information
Vaccine and Malaria Prevention
- Risk Level: High
- Areas: All areas of Nigeria
- Recommended Drug: Atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone); doxycycline; mefloquine; tafenoquine (G6PD testing required before prescribing)
- Drug Resistance: Yes
Nigeria has high-intensity year-round P. falciparum malaria with chloroquine resistance throughout the entire country. All travelers regardless of urban or rural destination require prophylaxis. A fever within 12 months of return from Nigeria is malaria until proven otherwise — seek evaluation immediately.
Physician Note
Nigeria is one of the most clinically demanding destinations I cover on this platform. The thing most travelers underestimate is the simultaneity of the risks here — you're managing malaria prophylaxis, yellow fever exposure, active Lassa fever endemicity, and a diphtheria outbreak all at once, in a healthcare system that genuinely cannot handle a serious medical problem. P.
falciparum with chloroquine resistance is everywhere, year-round, city included.. The counterfeit pharmaceutical problem is real and documented — bring everything you need from home, including your full supply of antimalarials. The returning traveler pattern I see from this region is fever plus myalgia presenting 2-4 weeks post-trip — malaria must be ruled out urgently.
Any mission or business traveler going to Nigeria needs a medevac policy that names a specific provider, not just reimburses. This is a destination where preparation is the difference between a meaningful trip and an evacuation. Global Rescue is really important here.
Pre-Departure Checklist
8+ Weeks
- Be sure to consult your Dr. prior to travel to discuss
- CDC recommends Start hepatitis A series
- Complete yellow fever vaccination (requires 10-day lead time)
- Begin yellow fever and diphtheria booster verification
- Start malaria prophylaxis consultation and choose agent (atovaquone-proguanil or doxycycline preferred)
- Verify polio booster
- Initiate rabies pre-exposure series if indicated for rural/animal exposure activities.
2-4 Weeks
- Confirm medevac insurance policy is active
- Obtain cholera vaccine (Vaxchora) if indicated
- Pack complete travel medical kit including azithromycin for traveler's diarrhea self-treatment
- Pack 4 weeks of prescription medications to account for travel delays
- Bring DEET 30-35% repellent.
Day Of
- Fill atovaquone-proguanil or doxycycline
- Carry copy of yellow fever card separately from passport
- Confirm local emergency contact number and nearest hospital address
- Carry cash in local currency for hospital payments.
Trip Type Guidance
Mission travel: Nigeria is a high-volume mission destination, particularly Lagos and Abuja. Security planning and an experienced local host organization are non-negotiable. Mission teams need a medevac plan, full prophylaxis for all members, and advance hospital reconnaissance. Business travel: Only for experienced travelers with host-country security support and a verified medevac plan.
