Reality Brief: Kano

Current alerts

• Large parts of the country advised against

  North-east, north-west, Niger Delta and Cameroonian border strongly advised against; Middle Belt, south-east and part of the south-west advised against except for essential travel (kidnapping).

  Published on July 10, 2026 · France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Nigeria, safety, GOV.UK (FCDO), Nigeria travel advice: warnings and insurance

Alerts checked on October 2, 2026 against the sources cited.

Essentials before you arrive

• A tourist or business visa is compulsory and must be obtained before travel: visas on arrival no longer exist. Apply on the Nigerian Immigration Service portal; French applicants then submit the file at the OIS centre, 7 rue Daru in Paris. Holders of a valid Nigerian residence permit (CERPAC, Green Card) do not need a visa.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Nigeria, entry and residenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Nigeria travel advice: entry requirementsGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: NigeriaGuide: Entry and residence

• Since May 2025, electronic arrival and departure cards must be completed online (lecard.immigration.gov.ng) before check-in.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Nigeria, entry and residenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Nigeria travel advice: entry requirementsGuide: Entry and residence

• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Nigeria, entry and residenceGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: NigeriaGuide: Entry and residence

• A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required (except infants aged 8 months or under and adults aged 61 or over, according to the UK).

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Nigeria, entry and residenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Nigeria travel advice: entry requirementsCDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Travelers' Health: NigeriaGuide: Entry and residence

• Malaria is present throughout the country. See a doctor before departure about prevention and vaccines; any fever requires prompt medical attention.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Nigeria, healthCDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Travelers' Health: NigeriaGuide: Health

• Emergency number: 112 (ambulance, fire, police); Canada also lists 199. There is no national ambulance service.

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Nigeria travel advice: getting helpGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: NigeriaGuide: Health

• The currency is the naira (NGN). The economy is cash-based and US dollars are widely accepted; ATMs are scarce outside major cities.

  Government of Canada, Travel advice: NigeriaGuide: Money and banking

• Serious crime is everywhere and kidnappings for ransom are frequent nationwide. Be met at the airport by people you know: kidnappings at airports have occurred. Do not walk, vary your routes, avoid going out at night and do not use screens in the car at night or in traffic jams.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Nigeria, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies

Living in Kano

• Strongly advised against by France (update of 10 July 2026): in the north-east, Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi, Adamawa north of the Benue, Jigawa and Kano (except the city); in the north-west, the borders with Niger and Benin and Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna (except the city) and Sokoto states; western Niger State, northern and western Kwara; north-western Oyo; in the south, Bayelsa, Rivers (except Port Harcourt), Delta and Akwa Ibom; the Cameroonian border.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Nigeria, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies

• The terrorist risk is high (Boko Haram, Islamic State) in the north-east and north-west; French nationals may be targeted. Kidnappings and killings also affect aid workers.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Nigeria, safetyGOV.UK (FCDO), Nigeria travel advice: regional risksGuide: Safety and emergencies

• Twelve northern states apply all or part of Islamic law (Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto, Yobe, Zamfara): dress appropriately and no alcohol in public.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Nigeria, useful informationGuide: Daily life and local laws

Field experience

• Tip

  Pharmacies, clinics and hospitals

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): pharmacies (22), clinics (7), hospitals (96). Locate those near your home in the first days and check opening hours and on-call services locally.

• Tip

  Where to shop for food

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): markets (7), supermarkets (10). Compare a few basic prices between market and supermarket before settling into habits.

• Tip

  Banks, cash machines and exchange

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): banks (22). Withdraw and change money at these official places, preferably during the day, never in the street.

• Tip

  A shop for your SIM card

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): phone and internet (2). Go with your passport: SIM registration is often mandatory.

• Tip

  A furnished flat for the first weeks

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): furnished apartments (1). A furnished flat gives you time to visit several neighbourhoods before signing a lease.

• Tip

  Consulates in the city

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): consulates (1). Note the address of your country's consulate or the nearest embassy.

• Emergency number

  112 for ambulance, fire and police; 199 according to Canada.

  112199

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Nigeria travel advice: getting helpGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: Nigeria· Oct 2, 2026