What do I need to pack for Nigeria? This is a pretty common question and I hope this Nigeria packing list post will help you before going off on your trip. The most important thing to know about packing for Nigeria is that the weather in Nigeria is primarily hot and wet. The rainy season is pretty much year-round thanks to global warming, and the heat is a constant. Uber and Bolt are popular taxi app services but are only available in a few cities across the country (most travelers visit Lagos, and both apps work there).
Always have a small umbrella in your bag, travel insurance sorted (SafetyWing or AXA are good ones), and read my packing list for Nigeria to find out exactly what you need to bring!
The Essential Things to Bring to Nigeria
These are the essential items for your Nigeria packing list: a handheld fan, loose light linen or cotton clothes, cotton underwear, sandals, swimwear, mosquito repellent, UVA/UVB Sunblock SPF50 or higher sunscreen, waterproof walking shoes or closed-toed hiking sandals, sunglasses, a hat, battery pack, medical kit, sturdy phone case, camera, day pack, umbrella, and an insulated water bottle.
Read below for a breakdown.
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Recommended Packing List for Nigeria
Clothes
Nigeria is a conservative country with a mixed dress code; dress conservatively in the Northern part of Nigeria and casual-smart everywhere else. For city excursions, wear light and loose linen or cotton clothes, make sure you have a small umbrella just in case, and an anti-theft bag for women. The weather in Nigeria is mostly humid and hot, so wearing breathable comfortable clothes with cotton underwear is imperative.
At the beach, your wardrobe will consist mostly of shorts, tank tops, a hat, a pair of glasses, and flip-flops.
It is illegal to wear army/combat type clothing or print in Nigeria.
For women, do not wear overly revealing clothes in public spaces. You can perfectly wear tank tops and show your shoulders, but crop tops or revealing cleavage may garner unwanted attention and rude comments. For men, I wouldn’t recommend going out without a shirt or wearing short shorts for the same reasons. I also find that men in tank tops get stopped a lot by law enforcement, so also take that into consideration.
For night outs or restaurant hunts, definitely dress up. Nigerians like to dress up for every occasion.
Shoes
Flip flops for the beach! If you’re going to the local markets, wear water-resistant shoes as the drainage system is not the best in Nigeria. You will most likely have to deal with walking in puddles or muddy areas when shopping in the local markets. Nigeria is typically humid and hot, so don’t bother with wearing boots or the like. You will most likely be uncomfortable. Flip flops are really important when sorting out your packing list for Nigeria, and they really come in handy when taking a bath in bathrooms in hotels or guest houses.
Trail running shoes or crocs are my preferred shoes when do local market or hiking activities in Nigeria. I always have a pair of crocs in my car just in case I have to walk into really messy walking situations.
Definitely wear your nice shoes for nights out, even for brunch. Most clubs or lounges will not let you in with flip-flops or overly casual sandals.
Mosquito Repellent
You have to bring mosquito repellent for Nigeria as they are present all year round and they also carry the rampant Malaria disease. Some stores in Lagos sell locally made mosquito repellent products but I can’t guarantee consistent availability nationwide. I’ve been using Cutter’s deets for about a decade now and it works pretty well for me in Nigeria and other countries. If you prefer deet-free options, Avon makes a good one that comes with SPF.

Sunscreen
Your packing list for Nigeria will be remiss without sunscreen. Sunscreen is a MUST and you should bring at least SPF 50. If you burn easily, get one with a higher number. Summer is a constant year-round in Nigeria, even during the rainy season, so do not forget to bring SPF. Additionally, after-sun care is very important in case you do burn.
Toiletries
You can find all toiletries in Nigeria like shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothbrush, mouthwash, and toothpaste at stores like Kuddy Cosmetics, Shoprite, Medplus, Spar, Ebeano, Justrite, Sahad, etc. If you are particular about the toiletries that you do use, definitely bring yours along. And in some cases, if visiting rural parts of Nigeria, easy access to your preferred brands may prove difficult. Kuddy Cosmetics delivers nationwide if you find yourself in an area with little access to preferred toiletries.
There are a few items that I do recommend bringing along; tampons for women and floss. If you wear contact lenses, make sure to bring a couple of extra lenses, cases, and contact lens solutions.
Medications
If you’re taking any prescribed medicines, write down a list of them and keep them with you at all times. Also, make sure you have a copy of your doctor’s notes just in case Nigeria’s drug enforcement team decides to do a random stop and search while on the road.
For basic medicines, over-the-counter ones like cold and flu, sinus, diarrhea, and muscle pain are available at most stores without having to go to a pharmacy. It is best you buy from pharmacies like Medplus and Healthplus due to a major issue with fake products in Nigeria.
Unlike most countries, getting typically prescribed medicines at pharmacies do not require a doctor’s note because a large population of the country can not afford to see a doctor. And so, access to life-saving medicines is readily available when you verbally ask for them at the pharmacy.
If you find yourself in need of medicines, go to trusted pharmacies like Medplus and Healthplus to buy authentic medicines. They may not have your preferred brand, but if you have information on the active ingredients and the dosage needed, they will help find substitutes for you.

Umbrella/Jackets
Getting around Nigeria is usually in an enclosed air-conditioned vehicle, but if you find yourself out in the elements while it rains, an umbrella should be at the ready in your bag.
If you plan to travel using motorbikes or plan to walk a lot, then you should definitely bring a lightweight rain jacket or poncho.
Day Bag
For day trips, sightseeing, and tours, bring a day backpack. If you’re not planning on doing long hikes, you can get away with a 20-25 L backpack to hold all the essentials: snacks, water, hand towel, change of clothes, camera, etc. I don’t recommend sling drawstring gym bags as they’re really flimsy.
My recommendations: I like crossbody bags and when I’m not using my large camera equipment, I prefer traveling as light as possible. This Seafew crossbody bag fits everything and then some. Plus, it is affordable.
For day hiking trips, the BackSåk Waterproof 25L backpack is a safe bet if you are carrying bulky camera equipment along.
A more expensive backpack trusted by professional photographers and videographers is the Shimoda Explore V2 35 bag.
Insulated Water Bottle
Besides being great for the environment, insulated water bottles are a must for everyday use in Nigeria because they keep water cold throughout the day.
I refrigerate a couple of 2L insulated water bottles in my freezer overnight for daily usage and I really can not do without them.
Do not drink water straight from the tap in Nigeria
I use a 20L water dispenser at home and typically have 2 20L jugs on standby to make sure I do not run out of water throughout the week. Filling up a 2L bottle can be a pain, but it’s better safe than sick from typhoid or a terrible disease from drinking bad water. You can opt for smaller water bottles if you don’t want to carry heavy bottles around.
Sunglasses and Hat
I recommend bringing 2 pairs of sunglasses. Sunglasses are also easily purchased from street hawkers, but the quality you get is usually not worth the hassle. A hat or visor is also essential and do not forget to have your mini fan in hand.
Sarong, Changing Towel
Ladies, do not forget your sarong if you’re visiting the beach! It’s so useful as a towel, beach cover-up, or even as a blanket for boat rides. I also use them to cover my legs at night to protect against mosquitoes when I’m sitting outside.
Swimwear
If you plan to visit the beach, do not forget your swimwear! I recommend at least two pairs. For guys, swim trunks without the mesh are best. For ladies, bring all the bikinis you want if you are going to a private beach house, but be careful not to wear them beyond the beach!

Cameras and Technology
For adventure travelers, an action camera like a GoPro is best (I’ve been using this brand for 8 years now). A cheaper alternative is the Akaso and the reviews for the cameras look pretty good.
If you are a pro photographer, definitely bring a wide angle for landscape shots and a telephoto lens (at least 300 mm) for birds and wildlife.
Do note that some tourist sites charge an extra fee when you use professional-looking equipment.
Bring plenty of SD cards if you have a particular brand preference that is not Sandisk. Spar, a major retail store chain, sells authentic SD cards in Nigeria.
Flashlights or Head Lamps
Power/electricity is not a constant nor reliable in Nigeria and so having a flashlight that is not your phone is important. Depending on your choice of accommodation, plan to experience power issues throughout your travel. Hotels do experience it to a lesser degree too.
For safety reasons, avoid walking at night. If you must, have a flashlight on you as sidewalks are not the norm and streets are not typically well-lit or even lit in some areas.
Anti-Theft Travel Belt
For the safekeeping of important items like your passport, emergency cash, and credit cards, storing them in an anti-theft travel belt is a great idea. I had a terrible theft incident while traveling through Thailand, and I still kick myself for not using an anti-theft travel belt during that trip.
Bonus: Travelambo makes some really good RFID-blocking wallets for both men and women if you don’t want the travel belt.
Battery Pack
As mentioned earlier, electricity is not reliable in Nigeria, so power banks are absolutely necessary for you packing list for Nigeria. It is best to have a power bank that will allow for 4 full phone charges, Anker is popular but RGvota is more affordable and packs more power. Also, make sure to bring extra charging cables.
Accessories and Extras to Consider for Your Packing List for Nigeria
Here are some other items that will be useful.
- Compact first aid kit
- Ziplock bags to protect your electronics
- Reusable cloth grocery bags
- Lots of hair bands
- Sleeping pills just in case
- Ear plugs, noise pollution from generators, and car honks can make it hard to sleep well at night.
- Packing organizers/cubes are great to manage luggage space
Essential items you cannot forget to bring to Nigeria
- Valid international passport. Make sure to have 2-3 photocopies on hand for security.
- Visa for non-ECOWAS country visitors, click here for steps to get a Nigerian visa
- Original valid driver’s license (if you plan to drive). Make sure to use a photocopy when driving because the police may seize the original license, read this guide for clarity
- Cash is king. Credit cards may or may not work, always have some cash on you for backup, #15,000 is sufficient for an average day
- Travel Insurance (I’ve tried a few, but Safetywing is a more affordable one I recently discovered)
- Your return flight ticket out of Nigeria (printed copy or copy on phone)
- Hotels, tours, car rentals, and flight reservations (printed or saved on your phone)
Things NOT to Pack for Nigeria
- Expensive-looking accessories e.g. purses, shoes, and jewelry. Be as lowkey as possible to avoid unwanted attention.
- Rainboots. They take up a ton of room and they’re really not necessary. The same goes for hiking boots.
- Every single credit and debit card you have. Just bring the ones you’re using.
If you haven’t yet, book a flight to Nigeria using one of my favorites booking platforms