As of October 2026 there is no confirmed direct flight between China and Nigeria, so every trip involves one connection. The most common choice is Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa, which links Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu with four Nigerian cities. The alternatives are Emirates (Dubai), Qatar Airways (Doha), Turkish Airlines (Istanbul) and Kenya Airways (Nairobi).
China–Nigeria connecting routes
| Airline | Hub | China | Nigeria | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethiopian | ADD | PEK, PVG, CAN, CTU, HKG | LOS, ABV, KAN, ENU | CAN 14/wk (Apr 2026) |
| Emirates | DXB | PEK, PVG, CAN, SZX, HGH | LOS | LOS daily |
| Qatar Airways | DOH | PKX, PVG, CAN, TFU, CKG, HGH, HKG | LOS, ABV, KAN, PHC | LOS 10/wk; KAN & PHC via ABV |
| Turkish Airlines | IST | PEK, PVG, CAN, XIY, HKG (+TFU 11 Nov 2026) | LOS, ABV, PHC | KAN cargo only |
| Kenya Airways | NBO | CAN (via BKK) | LOS | CAN 3/wk |
Key points
- No direct flight: Air Peace’s Lagos–Guangzhou route, launched in 2022, is not on its August 2026 destination list.
- Ethiopian: four mainland Chinese cities plus Hong Kong; Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Enugu in Nigeria; 14 weekly Guangzhou–Addis flights in April 2026.
- Gulf and Turkish carriers: Emirates (daily to Lagos), Qatar (four Nigerian cities) and Turkish (Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt).
- To enter Nigeria: get an e-Visa in advance, complete the online landing card within 72 hours of arrival, and carry a yellow fever certificate.
Connecting routes compared
Compiled from airline websites and route data (2025–2026). Destinations and frequencies change by season, so check the airline before you book.
| Airline | Hub | China destinations | Nigeria destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethiopian | Addis Ababa (ADD) | Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hong Kong | Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Enugu | Guangzhou–Addis raised to 14 weekly in April 2026 |
| Emirates | Dubai (DXB) | Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou | Lagos (daily) | Lagos resumed 1 Oct 2024 |
| Qatar Airways | Doha (DOH) | Beijing Daxing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu Tianfu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Hong Kong | Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt | 10 weekly to Lagos in winter 2025/26; Kano and PH via Abuja |
| Turkish Airlines | Istanbul (IST) | Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi’an, Hong Kong; Chengdu from 11 Nov 2026 | Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt (Kano cargo only) | Longest routing; handy if combining with Europe |
| Kenya Airways | Nairobi (NBO) | Guangzhou (via Bangkok, 3 weekly) | Lagos | Guangzhou flights stop in Bangkok |
Route by route
Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa
Ethiopian has the widest China–Nigeria network: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu plus Hong Kong on the China side, and Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Enugu in Nigeria. It is the only connecting carrier serving both Kano and Enugu. Around the April 2026 Canton Fair (6–30 April) it raised Guangzhou–Addis to 14 flights a week, twice daily. Its Nigeria website shows Nigeria–China fares from about ₦1.3m, varying by date.
Emirates via Dubai
Emirates suspended Nigeria in November 2022 and resumed daily Dubai–Lagos flights on 1 October 2024. After adding Hangzhou in July 2025 it serves five mainland Chinese cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hangzhou) with 49 flights a week. We could not confirm that Emirates has resumed Abuja, so Abuja travellers should check its website first.
Qatar Airways via Doha
Qatar Airways serves four Nigerian cities: Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt. In winter 2025/26 it flew Doha–Lagos 10 times a week, Doha–Abuja–Kano twice a week and Doha–Abuja–Port Harcourt three times a week. In China it serves Beijing Daxing, Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou, Chengdu Tianfu, Chongqing, Hangzhou and Hong Kong, which suits travellers from the south-west.
Turkish Airlines via Istanbul
Turkish flies passengers to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi’an and Hong Kong, with Chengdu Tianfu due to start on 11 November 2026. In Nigeria it carries passengers to Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt (Kano is cargo only). The routing is longer than via Addis or the Gulf but works if you are combining the trip with Europe. In October 2026 its website showed Guangzhou–Abuja December return fares from about CNY 9,358 in economy.
Kenya Airways via Nairobi
Kenya Airways’ Nairobi–Guangzhou flights stop in Bangkok and run three times a week in winter 2026/27 (a planned fourth weekly flight was dropped). Nairobi–Lagos was operating in October 2026. Its Nigeria website showed Lagos–Guangzhou economy returns from about ₦1,087,949 for January 2027.
How to choose
- Fastest: from south China, look first at Ethiopian via Addis or Emirates and Qatar via the Gulf; a 2–6 hour connection is the safe range.
- Kano or Port Harcourt: Ethiopian (Kano) and Qatar (Kano and Port Harcourt via Abuja) sell through-tickets, so you avoid buying a separate Nigerian domestic flight.
- Baggage: China–Nigeria travellers often carry heavy bags and samples, and free allowances vary a lot, so compare and pre-buy extra baggage if needed.
- Transit visas: airside transfers on one ticket in Dubai, Doha, Istanbul or Addis usually need no visa, but rules depend on passport and airline, so check with the airline and the transit country.
- Prices: fares jump around Chinese New Year and National Day; the fares above are snapshots from airline websites.
Before you fly
- Visa: Visa on Arrival ended on 1 May 2025 and was replaced by the e-Visa (evisa.immigration.gov.ng), issued in about 48 hours once documents and payment are in. Long-term workers need an STR visa; see our Nigeria e-Visa guide and STR visa and CERPAC guide.
- Landing card: complete it at lecard.immigration.gov.ng within 72 hours before every arrival and departure.
- Vaccinations: Nigeria requires a yellow fever certificate from all travellers entering or leaving (infants under 9 months and adults over 60 exempt), and malaria risk is high nationwide all year; see our malaria and vaccinations guide.
- On arrival: arrange an airport pickup rather than hailing a car outside, and read our naira exchange guide.
Domestic connections and airport tips
Nigeria’s main international gateways are Murtala Muhammed International in Lagos (LOS) and Nnamdi Azikiwe International in Abuja (ABV). If your international ticket ends in Lagos or Abuja and you add a separate domestic flight, remember that international and domestic flights often use different terminals, and on separate tickets the airline will not check bags through or rebook you if you miss the connection. Leave at least half a day between flights, or stay overnight. Domestic baggage allowances are usually much lower than international ones, so check before you fly.
On arrival, have your company, hotel or a trusted driver meet you, with the car plate and phone number agreed in advance, and ignore strangers offering “help” inside the terminal. Arrange transport ahead for late-night arrivals in particular. More tips are in our Nigeria security guide.
Before you fly home
- You must also fill in the online departure card within 72 hours and show your yellow fever certificate when leaving.
- e-Visa holders must leave before the visa expires: e-Visas cannot be extended, overstays cost $15 a day, and serious cases can bring re-entry bans of 5 years, 10 years or life.
- CERPAC holders should check whether their residence card or expatriate quota needs renewing while they are away.
After you land
Many business travellers stay in international hotels on Victoria Island in Lagos or in Abuja, with restaurants, gyms and entertainment on site. Some have licensed casinos (such as the Federal Palace in Lagos and the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja), for adults 18+ and subject to state rules; northern Sharia states such as Kano ban gambling. See our Nigeria gambling guide, and our Lagos city guide for life on the ground.
Sources
- Ethiopian Airlines international network
- Ethiopian Airlines: Flights from Nigeria to China
- 广州日报花城：埃航广州—亚的斯亚贝巴加密至每周14班（2026-03）
- Emirates and mainland China
- Dubai Media Office: Emirates lands in Hangzhou (2025-07)
- Channels TV: Emirates resumes daily Lagos–Dubai (2024-10)
- Wikipedia: List of Qatar Airways destinations
- Aeroroutes: Qatar Airways NW25 Nigeria changes
- Wikipedia: List of Turkish Airlines destinations (May 2026)
- Turkish Airlines: Guangzhou–Abuja
- Aeroroutes: Kenya Airways NW26 Bangkok/Guangzhou
- Kenya Airways: Lagos–Guangzhou fares
- Avionio: KQ534 Nairobi–Lagos
- Wikipedia: Air Peace (destinations, Aug 2026)
- Arise: Air Peace resumes China operations (2023)
- Aluko & Oyebode: Nigeria e-Visa (2025)
- Nigeria Immigration Service: e-Visa portal
- Nigeria Immigration Service: Landing/exit card
- TravelHealthPro: Nigeria (yellow fever)
- KPMG: Nigeria expatriate administration and visa reforms (2025)
FAQ
Is there a direct flight from China to Nigeria?
No direct flight is confirmed as of October 2026. Air Peace's Lagos–Guangzhou route is no longer on its destination list, so you need one connection.
Which airline is most convenient between China and Nigeria?
Ethiopian has the widest network, linking Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu with Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Enugu. Qatar Airways also serves four Nigerian cities.
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination for Nigeria?
Yes. Nigeria requires a yellow fever certificate from all travellers entering or leaving, except infants under 9 months and adults over 60.
How do I fly to Kano or Port Harcourt?
Ethiopian flies to Kano via Addis Ababa, Qatar Airways serves Kano and Port Harcourt via Doha and Abuja, and Turkish flies to Port Harcourt.
How much is a China–Nigeria ticket?
Airline sites showed Ethiopian Nigeria–China fares from about ₦1.3m and Kenya Airways Lagos–Guangzhou returns from about ₦1.09m; prices vary by date.
Facts checked: 2026-10-22 · Niriliya Huaren Editorial Team · How we check facts