Nigeria Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Nigeria
Nigeria recorded 15.8 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2023, a rate that is high by global standards. That places Nigeria #27 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Africa average of 7.6 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide rates have fallen 51% over the past decade (from 32.4 in 2016). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Nigeria at Level 3 of 4: Reconsider Travel.
Homicide Rate
15.8 /100k
Safety Rank
#169 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 3 of 4
Data Year
2023
Homicide Rate Trend (2016-2023)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have fallen 51% over the past decade (from 32.4 in 2016). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Nigeria Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Nigeria, the homicide rate for men is 3.7× higher than the rate for women — 24.4 vs 6.5 per 100,000 (2023).
Homicide victims per 100,000 of each sex. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
Armed Conflict Context
Nigeria has recorded battle-related deaths in recent years. Conflict deaths are counted separately from homicides — a country can have a moderate crime rate but significant conflict risk, and travel advisories weigh both.
Battle-Related Deaths
1,486(2024)
Military Spending
0.6% GDP(2024)
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Nigeria:
There were no changes to the Travel Advisory Level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated to reflect changes to U.S. embassy operations. Do not travel to Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, Taraba states were added. Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime , terrorism , unrest , kidnapping , and inconsistent availability of health care services . Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
About This Data
Homicide figures are intentional homicides per 100,000 people, compiled by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and published by the World Bank (indicator VC.IHR.PSRC.P5). Homicide is the most reliably comparable crime statistic across countries because definitions of other offences (assault, theft, robbery) vary widely between national legal systems and reporting practices.
Travel advisory levels are issued by the US Department of State and updated continuously. They reflect risks to travelers including crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, and natural disasters — not only crime rates. Countries report crime data with different lags; the most recent available year is shown for each metric.
Nigeria Population & Demographics
Population of 232,679,478, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nigeria safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Nigeria at Level 3 of 4 (Reconsider Travel). The homicide rate of 15.8 per 100,000 is high by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Nigeria?
Nigeria has an intentional homicide rate of 15.8 per 100,000 people (2023, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #27 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Nigeria?
Nigeria is currently at Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Nigeria compare to other countries?
Nigeria's homicide rate of 15.8 per 100,000 is above the world average of 5.2 and above the Africa average of 7.6.