The Australian Government’s Smartraveller platform revised its Nigeria advisory on 22 October 2026 after local authorities confirmed an Ebola case in Abuja two days earlier. The country remains at “Reconsider your need to travel” overall, but DFAT now emphasises mandatory online Health Declaration Forms and the possibility of temperature checks and travel-history screening on arrival. For Australian energy and infrastructure firms with operations in Lagos and the Niger Delta, the update adds a new compliance layer: rotational staff must carry proof of recent travel itineraries and be prepared for quarantine if they have transited Ebola-affected states. Medical evacuation plans should be re-validated, as in-country hospital capacity for infectious disease treatment is limited. The security situation remains volatile, with DFAT reaffirming its "Do not travel" instruction for 25 states plagued by terrorism, kidnapping and violent crime. Kidnap insurers report premiums rising 12 per cent quarter-on-quarter, reflecting elevated risk. Employers are urged to brief travellers on route security, avoid public transport, and engage professional security escorts where necessary. Corporate immigration teams should also note Nigeria’s tightening stance on health documentation; incomplete or inaccurate forms have already led to denied boarding for several expatriates departing Sydney via Middle-East hubs this week.
Source: Smartraveller (DFAT)
