The two health priorities before moving to Nigeria are a yellow fever vaccination and malaria prevention. According to the UK’s TravelHealthPro, updated in August 2025, Nigeria’s health authority requires a yellow fever certificate from all travellers entering or leaving the country, except infants under nine months and adults over 60. Malaria is a high risk everywhere in Nigeria all year round, so you need preventive tablets and bite protection.
Healthcare quality varies widely. Private hospitals in Lagos and Abuja are the best options, but serious cases often need evacuation abroad, so international health insurance with medical evacuation cover is strongly advised. This guide covers vaccinations, malaria prevention, seeing a doctor and insurance.
Health steps before moving to Nigeria
- Get yellow fever vaccine and carry the certificate (valid for life)
- Discuss malaria tablets: atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine
- Typhoid and hepatitis A; for long stays consider rabies and MenACWY
- Buy international insurance with medical evacuation
- Save emergency number 112
Key points
- Yellow fever certificate: required by Nigeria from all arriving and departing travellers, except infants under 9 months and adults over 60. Certificates are valid for life (since 11 July 2016).
- Malaria: high risk nationwide, year-round. The WHO World Malaria Report 2025 says Nigeria accounted for 31.9% of malaria deaths in the African Region in 2024.
- Prevention tablets: atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine, on medical advice, plus mosquito bite avoidance.
- Also recommended: typhoid and hepatitis A; for long stays consider rabies and meningococcal ACWY. Stays of 4 weeks or more may need proof of polio vaccination on departure.
- National emergency number: 112 (including ambulance).
- October 2026: one imported Ebola (Bundibugyo) case was confirmed in the FCT (Abuja), and a cholera outbreak continues in Borno State.
Yellow fever: the certificate is mandatory
Under the International Health Regulations (2005), Nigeria’s national authority stated in August 2025 that a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers entering or leaving Nigeria, except infants under nine months and adults over 60. This is stricter than the WHO’s 2022 country list, and TravelHealthPro advises carrying your certificate until further notice.
Under WHO rules, yellow fever certificates have been valid for life since 11 July 2016, so a certificate cannot be rejected just because the vaccine was given more than 10 years ago. Get vaccinated at an approved centre (in China, usually a local International Travel Healthcare Centre) at least 10 days before departure; check the latest official guidance. Without a certificate you may be refused boarding or vaccinated at the airport.
Keep a copy with your visa documents too; see our Nigeria e-Visa application guide.
Malaria: the most common serious risk
Nigeria carries the world’s heaviest malaria burden. According to the WHO World Malaria Report 2025, there were about 282 million cases and 610,000 deaths worldwide in 2024, and Nigeria accounted for 31.9% of malaria deaths in the African Region. For newly arrived Chinese staff, malaria is the serious illness you are most likely to meet.
Preventive tablets
TravelHealthPro lists these options:
- Atovaquone/proguanil: one adult tablet daily, starting 1–2 days before arrival and continuing for 7 days after leaving.
- Doxycycline: 100 mg daily for adults and children over 12, starting 1–2 days before arrival and continuing for 4 weeks after leaving. Not for children under 12.
- Mefloquine: 250 mg weekly for adults, starting 2–3 weeks before arrival and continuing for 4 weeks after leaving.
If you will live in Nigeria long term, discuss long-term prevention with a travel medicine clinic before you go. Take any medicine only on medical advice.
Bite prevention and fever
- Use a DEET-based repellent, sleep under a net, and wear long sleeves and trousers in the evening.
- Clear standing water around dormitories and camps, and fit screens on doors and windows.
- If you get fever, chills, headache or fatigue, get a malaria test quickly. Nigeria’s NCDC reminds people that fever is often malaria, typhoid or Lassa fever, and advises prompt care rather than self-medication.
- If you develop a fever after returning home, tell your doctor you have lived in Nigeria.
Other recommended vaccines
| Vaccine | Who should consider it |
|---|---|
| Yellow fever | All travellers aged 9 months and over (certificate required) |
| Typhoid | Most travellers |
| Hepatitis A | All previously unvaccinated travellers |
| Rabies | Stays over one month, work with animals, or far from medical care |
| Meningococcal ACWY | Long stays and close contact with local people (Nigeria is in the meningitis belt) |
| Polio | Stays of 4 weeks or more; proof of a dose in the past 12 months may be asked for on departure |
| Cholera (oral) | People going to outbreak areas or with limited safe water and care |
Current outbreaks (2026)
TravelHealthPro’s outbreak list includes: on 21 October 2026, one imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola confirmed in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), in a woman who had travelled from DR Congo via Uganda; in Borno State, 68,152 suspected cholera cases and 394 deaths since May 2026; 16,997 diphtheria cases from January to late August 2026, mostly in northern states; and 1,056 confirmed Lassa fever cases across 24 states as of 23 August. Lassa fever is spread by rodents, so keep dormitories and kitchens rodent-proof.
The situation changes quickly, so follow NCDC updates and notices from the Chinese Embassy and Consulate. For travel and security risks in northern states, see our Nigeria security guide.
Seeing a doctor in Nigeria
According to Expat Arrivals, private hospitals used by expatriates in Lagos include Lagoon Hospital (with a site in Apapa), Paelon Memorial Hospital and Kelina Hospital on Victoria Island, and St Nicholas Hospital on Lagos Island. China Town in Ojota, Lagos, also has a clinic with Chinese staff. Complex surgery and intensive care often still mean evacuation abroad.
In an emergency, call 112, which also covers ambulance services; in Lagos, both 767 and 112 go to the state’s Command and Control Centre. Distance to a good hospital is worth considering when you choose where to live; see our guide to Lagos neighbourhoods.
Health insurance
Nigeria’s National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022 makes health insurance mandatory for Nigerians and residents, and employers with five or more staff must enrol them. Ask your employer and insurer whether and how expatriate staff are covered under local schemes.
In practice, Chinese employees should have international health insurance covering Africa, bought by the employer or personally, that includes medical evacuation and repatriation of remains. Print your policy and the 24-hour assistance number and keep a copy on your phone. For the work-permit side of moving, see our Expatriate Quota and work permit guide.
Pre-departure health checklist
- Get the yellow fever vaccine at least 10 days before travel and carry the original certificate.
- Visit a travel clinic about malaria tablets and other vaccines.
- Pack repellent, a mosquito net, basic medicines and any prescription medicines with an English note.
- Buy international health insurance that includes medical evacuation.
- Save 112, your company’s medical contact and your insurer’s assistance line.
Sources
- TravelHealthPro (UK NaTHNaC): Nigeria
- ICIR: WHO World Malaria Report 2025 highlights
- Premium Times: NCDC advisory on Ebola and fever (May 2026)
- Voice of Nigeria: NCDC Ebola preparedness (October 2026)
- Expat Arrivals: Healthcare in Lagos
- China Global South Project: Lagos China Town (May 2026)
- Voice of Nigeria: 112 emergency medical line
- Gazette: Lagos emergency lines 767 and 112
- Nigeria Health Watch: The NHIA Act explained
- Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC)
FAQ
Do I need a yellow fever certificate for Nigeria?
Yes. Since an August 2025 update, Nigeria requires it from all arriving and departing travellers, except infants under 9 months and adults over 60.
Is a yellow fever certificate older than 10 years still valid?
Yes. Under WHO rules, yellow fever certificates have been valid for life since 11 July 2016.
Which parts of Nigeria have malaria?
The whole country is high risk all year, including Lagos and Abuja. Take preventive tablets and avoid mosquito bites.
What number do I call for a medical emergency in Nigeria?
Call 112, the national emergency line, which includes ambulance services. In Lagos you can also call 767.
What kind of health insurance do I need?
Get international health insurance covering Africa that includes medical evacuation, because serious cases are often treated abroad.
Facts checked: 2026-10-22 · Niriliya Huaren Editorial Team · How we check facts