Is Lagos Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria, is the largest city in Africa and is made up of three districts: the mainland, Greater Lagos and the Islands.

Three major bridges join the island to the mainland.

Lagos is infamous for being Nigeria’s most exclusive city to live in: it is the major economic nerve center of Nigeria and the rest of the West African sub-region.

The metropolis takes home the crown for the city with densely populated areas, busy streets and massive traffic jams in Nigeria.

This city, though at times very dangerous, has wonderful beaches, skyscrapers, amazing parks, best entertainment options, most job opportunities and so much more.

Warnings & Dangers in Lagos

OVERALL RISK: HIGH

Lagos was a very dangerous destination for potential tourists, but now it's much safer with the state spending a lot of money on police, security, etc. Still, governments in several countries have issued warnings against traveling to the entire country of Nigeria, for reasons such as terrorism, kidnappings and other types of violent crime.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

As for transport, it is not safe, and you should always opt for taxis and hired drivers to get around Lagos. However, buses, although dangerous because of possible roadblocks and the possibility of passengers being attacked are reliable and can take you to any part of the city you wish to go.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

Crime levels are high on the streets of Lagos and this applies more to petty crime than the violent crime. Expect petty crimes like pickpocketing, bag snatching, camera snatching, and other forms of theft.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Lagos gets severely hit by heavy tropical rains and thunderstorms regularly, and this usually leads to flash floods. Floods are the most devastating natural disaster in Lagos.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

It is rare for a tourist to be a victim of a violent crime, mostly because tourists usually opt for driving. It is wise to stay safe and be alert, especially after dark. Stick to crowded streets at all times.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Even though there have been some pretty scary reports concerning violent crime in Nigeria towards foreigners, terrorism is not a major issue in Lagos, unlike other parts of Nigeria.

SCAMS RISK: HIGH

Of course, scams too are common in Lagos, so double check your change, never pay anything upfront and negotiate everything in advance. Be very careful around ATMs and be wary of anyone trying to distract you.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: HIGH

Lagos is not a safe destination for women. Do not go alone anywhere, and keep in mind that it is best not to move around Lagos at all, except if you're in a car with windows rolled up.

So... How Safe Is Lagos Really?

Unfortunately, even though Lagos is much safer now than it used to be, it’s still not considered safe.

First of all, if you’re a member of LGBT, avoid this country altogether, and the city of Lagos with it.

Homosexuality is illegal here with penalties of up to death, so LGBT travelers are advised to be extremely careful.

Another thing about the city is that most tourists won’t experience anything bad, mostly because the areas where white people and tourists reside are absurdly secured.

There are several Western hotels in the city with guards at the gate that check all incoming cars for bombs, metal detectors on the way in, and armed security roaming the perimeter.

This is the norm for many private residences, too (including tall fences, barbed wire).

The drive into the city crosses some rough neighborhoods, and since tourists’ starting point is the airport, they’re an obvious target.

Shopping, sight-seeing during the day, and restaurants are all safe and doable alone, but if you’re going out at night to a club/bar, it’s probably better to go with locals – for safety.

Most people of Lagos claim that the amount of crime in Lagos has gone down significantly in the past few decades, particularly violent crime.

How Does Lagos Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

Most countries do need a visa to enter Lagos, Nigeria. You will need a valid passport and keep in mind that it is usually impossible to acquire a visa upon arrival so make sure you apply for one well in advance. If you are not sure about your visa status, contact your nearest Nigerian embassy for further information.

Currency

The Nigerian naira is the official currency in Lagos. ATMs are becoming more and more available throughout the country.

Weather

Lagos has a tropical climate, due to it being located in the tropics, and it is characterized by a rainy and a dry season as in most countries in the tropics. Lagos's rainy season lasts from May to September during which period it receives extreme amounts of rain which sometimes leads to extreme floods.

Airports

Murtala Muhammed International Airport is the main airport in Lagos, serving the entire country of Nigeria. It is located in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Lagos, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.

Lagos Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Nigeria - Safety by City