The context
Africa's largest population, an enormous diaspora and weddings that are major social events. Most couples hold an introduction, a traditional wedding and often a church or mosque ceremony — with the registry appointment as a separate, quieter step.
Entering the country
A visa is required for most nationalities, with an online application and, for some, issuance on arrival under an approved scheme. Yellow fever vaccination is required.
Marrying, and having it recognised
A statutory marriage under the Marriage Act is monogamous and produces a registry certificate — this is the document foreign authorities will ask for. A customary marriage is socially decisive but may permit polygamy and is not automatically recognised abroad. A foreign partner needs a letter of no impediment. See civil marriage in Nigeria.
Getting there
Direct flights from Europe, the Gulf and across Africa to Lagos and Abuja. Check travel advice by region: several parts of the country are subject to strong restrictions.
Customs and family
The alaga conducts Yoruba proceedings in verse; the Igbo igba nkwu has the bride find her groom and offer him palm wine; guests wear matching aso ebi. See wedding customs in Nigeria.
Points to watch
- Obtain the registry certificate: without it, there is little to present abroad.
- Same-sex relationships are criminalised — see the page.
- Regional travel advice restricts several states; check before any internal journey.
Two absolute prohibitions, wherever you live
Sex tourism and any relationship with a minor are punished here as everywhere, and your own country's law follows you abroad. For sexual offences against a child, almost every state sets aside dual criminality and dispenses with any complaint: you can be prosecuted and tried at home whatever the local law says and whatever the local authorities do. See sexual offences committed abroad.
If you met online
The warning signs are the same everywhere: a very fast escalation, a systematic refusal of video, a request for money for an urgent reason, pressure to leave the platform. The rule holds here as anywhere: you do not send money to someone you have never met face to face. Someone genuine will happily take a video call, meet in a public place and introduce you to their family.
Spotting and reporting a romance scam — Nigeria
Nigeria: everything on this site
This country appears on 35 other pages of this site, across every section. Here they all are, in one place.
Sexuality
Health
- Assisted reproduction
- Abortion
- Alcohol and tobacco
- Contraception
- HIV and AIDS
- HPV
- Hepatitis B
- Mental health
- Pregnancy
Advice
Marriage
- Same-sex marriage
- Divorce
- Marriage
- Matrimonial property and inheritance
- Partnerships and cohabitation
- Religious ceremony
- Wedding customs and ceremonies
Names
Rights
- Adoption
- Copyright
- Data protection
- Fundamental rights
- Identity theft
- Image rights
- Online shopping
- Privacy
- Sexual offences committed abroad
- Speech and online harassment
Official sources and links
- Your own foreign ministry's travel advice — read it before each departure: it also conditions your travel insurance. Official portals: United Kingdom · United States · Canada · Australia · New Zealand · Ireland
- Your consular post there, or the one covering the country — civil status, marriage, emergencies; note the number before you go. Official directories: United Kingdom · United States · Canada · Australia · New Zealand · Ireland
- World Health Organization — health recommendations by destination
- Hague Conference on Private International Law — celebration and recognition of the validity of marriages