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.
Marriage: from the ceremony to the certificate
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 rules that go with you abroad
Local law treats sex tourism and relationships with minors as offences, like every other country. Your national law follows you across borders. In child sexual offence cases, almost all states set aside both dual criminality and the complaint requirement, so you may face prosecution and a trial at home whatever the local rules say and whatever the local authorities do. See sexual offences committed abroad.
If you met online
Be on guard when feelings escalate very quickly, when every video call is declined, when money is suddenly urgently needed and when you are pressed to move to another app. That holds in this country as in all others, and so does the rule: do not send money to someone you have never met face to face. People with honest intentions accept a video call, a meeting in a public place and an introduction to their relatives.
Spotting and reporting a romance scam — Nigeria
All our pages that concern Nigeria
35 additional pages of the site refer to this country, whatever the section. See them grouped below.
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
