Is Ibadan safe? 🇳🇬

Ibadan is not safe for tourists at this time. The U.S., UK, and Canadian governments all advise reconsidering or avoiding non-essential travel to Nigeria, with specific warnings about highway banditry and kidnappings that directly affect Ibadan. The city’s composite safety score of 30/100 reflects serious crime and weak institutional responses, despite moderate air quality and healthcare access.

Recent incidents confirm an active threat: armed attacks on the Ibadan-Ijebu and Lagos-Ibadan expressways have resulted in deaths, injuries, and abductions of travelers and students. In April 2026, gunmen attacked vehicles on the Ibadan-Ijebu road, leaving one dead and several missing. In June 2026, a law student was abducted from the University of Ibadan, sparking protests. These are not isolated events — kidnappings for ransom remain a persistent risk on major roads, particularly after dark. While Ibadan may feel safer than Lagos in daylight, especially in neighborhoods like Jericho and Bodija, the expressway risks undermine overall safety for visitors moving between cities or arriving/departing.

Pickpocketing and robbery are moderate concerns in urban areas. Dugbe Market is frequently cited as a hotspot for distraction thefts and scams, while fake police officers have been known to target foreigners for bribes. To reduce risk, avoid displaying valuables, use only pre-booked or app-based transport, and never travel on highways after dark. Stay in well-reviewed accommodations in safer districts, keep copies of your passport separate, and monitor local news for evolving security conditions. Given the Level 3 advisory and documented violence, non-essential travel to Ibadan should be postponed.