RwandaNigeria: Visa required

RwandaNigeria

Do Rwanda passport holders need a visa for Nigeria?

Visa required

Yes. Rwanda passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to Nigeria.

A visa must be obtained in advance, typically from an embassy or consulate, before travel.

Source: immigration.gov.ng (checked July 20, 2026).

RequirementVisa required

Maximum stayLength of stay varies

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelYes, arrange in advance

Data as of2026-10-19

Distance2,784 km, straight line (~3h 47m nonstop)

Visa-free access to Nigeria16 of 242 nationalities tracked

Travelling the other way? Nigeria passport holders visiting Rwanda: Visa on arrival.

Visa-free alternatives near Nigeria

Rwanda passport holders can visit these nearby destinations without a visa in advance:

Other visa-free destinations for Rwanda passport holders

See all Rwanda destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do Rwanda passport holders need a visa for Nigeria?

Yes. Rwanda passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to Nigeria.

How far is Nigeria from Rwanda?

About 2,784 km in a straight line, roughly ~3h 47m nonstop by air.

What currency is used in Nigeria?

Nigerian naira (NGN).

What is the emergency number in Nigeria?

112 / 199.

What time zone is Nigeria in?

Lagos (UTC+1).

What is the nearest airport to Abuja?

Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (ABV), about 25 km away.

How many countries can enter Nigeria without a visa?

16 of the 242 nationalities this site tracks can enter Nigeria visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or with an eTA.

What nearby countries can Rwanda passport holders visit without a visa instead of Nigeria?

Benin, Togo, Chad, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo.

Visa rules change frequently and can depend on your specific circumstances. This site is compiled from public government sources and is provided for general information only. Always confirm requirements with the official immigration authority or a consulate of your destination before you travel.

About Rwanda

Rwanda, officially the Republic of Rwanda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Its geography is dominated by mountains in the west and savanna in the southeast. The largest and most notable lakes are mainly in the western and northern regions of the country, and several volcanoes that form part of the Virunga volcanic chain are primarily in the northwest. The climate is considered tropical highland, with two rainy seasons and two dry seasons each year. Its capital and largest city is Kigali, located at the centre of the country, at 1,567 metres above sea level. Rwanda lies a few degrees south of the Equator in the Great Rift Valley of East Africa. Rwanda is bordered by Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. With a population of about 14 million people living within a total area of 26,338 square kilometres (10,169 sq mi), of which land accounts for about 93.7%, Rwanda is the 21st most densely populated country in the world, with an average of about 578 people per square kilometre.

CapitalKigali

RegionEastern Africa

Population14.6M

Area26,338 km²

CurrencyRwandan franc (1 USD ≈ 1475.49 RWF)

LanguagesEnglish, French, Kinyarwanda

Calling code+250

Drives on theright

TimezoneKigali (UTC+2)

Nearest airportKigali International Airport (KGL), 9 km

Emergency number112 / 912

UNESCO sites2

Income levelLow income

GDP per capita$1,124 (2025)

Tourist arrivals1.6M (2019)

Climate in Kigali

Warmest August, coolest November, driest July, sunniest May. Best time to visit: March, May, June, July, August, September, December.

Monthly climate normals for Kigali, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	25.5°C	15.4°C	133mm	286h
February	26.5°C	15.5°C	106mm	301h
March	25.9°C	15.7°C	99mm	303h
April	24.7°C	15.7°C	165mm	277h
May	24.6°C	15.3°C	58mm	350h
June	25.1°C	15.3°C	19mm	323h
July	26.1°C	15.3°C	11mm	325h
August	27.9°C	16°C	19mm	337h
September	27.9°C	15.5°C	59mm	321h
October	26.1°C	15.2°C	169mm	317h
November	25.3°C	14.8°C	126mm	290h
December	25.8°C	14.6°C	101mm	331h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

Rwanda is an East African country known as the land of a thousand hills. It is easily accessible from Kenya and Uganda, and is one of the safest and most organised countries on the continent. The rolling green highlands, volcanic mountains, and ancient rainforests make it a striking destination. Rwanda is best known for mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, but also offers savannah wildlife in Akagera National Park, chimpanzee tracking and canopy walks in Nyungwe National Park, and a vibrant capital in Kigali. The country is compact, well connected, and easy to travel around.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Memorial sites of the Genocide: Nyamata, Murambi, Gisozi and Bisesero
Nyungwe Forest

Upcoming public holidays

December 25, 2026Christmas Day

December 26, 2026Boxing Day

January 1, 2027New Year's Day

Full source list on About.

About Nigeria

Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean to the south. It covers an area of 923,769 square kilometres (356,669 mi2). With a population of more than 242 million, it is the most populous country in Africa, and the world's sixth-most populous country. Nigeria borders Niger in the north, Chad in the northeast, Cameroon in the east, and Benin in the west. Nigeria is a federal republic comprising 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, where its capital, Abuja, is located. The largest city in Nigeria by population is Lagos, one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world and the second largest in Africa.

CapitalAbuja

RegionWestern Africa

Population237.5M

Area923,768 km²

CurrencyNigerian naira (1 USD ≈ 1331.62 NGN)

LanguagesEnglish

Calling code+234

Drives on theright

TimezoneLagos (UTC+1)

Nearest airportNnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (ABV), 25 km

Emergency number112 / 199

UNESCO sites4

Income levelLower middle income

GDP per capita$1,224 (2025)

Tourist arrivals5.3M (2016)

Climate in Abuja

Warmest March, coolest August, driest January, sunniest December. Best time to visit: January, February, April, October, November, December.

Monthly climate normals for Abuja, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	33.6°C	20.5°C	0mm	340h
February	35.3°C	22.8°C	0mm	315h
March	34.9°C	24.1°C	4mm	304h
April	33.8°C	23.9°C	4mm	306h
May	31.9°C	23.2°C	62mm	285h
June	29.2°C	21.8°C	101mm	267h
July	26.7°C	20.9°C	245mm	215h
August	26.3°C	20.7°C	166mm	213h
September	27°C	20.8°C	298mm	196h
October	30.2°C	21.3°C	38mm	309h
November	32.7°C	22.7°C	0mm	327h
December	33.9°C	21.5°C	0mm	341h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

Nigeria is a large country in equatorial West Africa, the most populous country of the continent, with about 216 million people in 2022. Rich in diversity and landscapes, the country is home to more than 250 ethnic groups and 500 languages.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Osun-Osogbo Grove
Royal Palace Of Oba Of Benin
Sukur
Sukur Kingdom

Upcoming public holidays

November 1, 2026National Youth Day

December 25, 2026Christmas Day

December 28, 2026Boxing Day

Full source list on About.