The United States Department of State has updated its global travel advisory, placing 23 countries under its highest travel warning, Level 4: Do Not Travel, and advising American citizens to avoid visiting these destinations under any circumstances.
In an updated advisory shared on Saturday, July 18, via the State Department’s TravelGov X account, the US government explained that a Level 4 designation is issued for countries where security conditions pose severe risks or where the US government’s ability to assist American citizens is significantly limited.
“We issue Travel Advisories with Levels 1–4. Level 4 means DO NOT TRAVEL. We assign Level 4 based on local conditions and/or our limited ability to help Americans there,” the department said. “These places are dangerous. Do not go for ANY reason.”
11 African Countries on the Level 4 List
Among the countries placed under the highest advisory are 11 African nations:
- Burkina Faso
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Libya
- Mali
- Niger
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Uganda
Full List of Level 4 Countries
The complete list of countries currently designated as Level 4: Do Not Travel includes:
Afghanistan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Burma (Myanmar), Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Niger, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Uganda, Ukraine, and Yemen.
Nigeria Remains Under Level 3 Advisory
The latest update comes months after the US State Department maintained Nigeria under a Level 3: Reconsider Travel advisory, citing concerns over crime, terrorism, kidnapping, civil unrest, and inconsistent healthcare services.
However, several Nigerian states remain under the stricter Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory due to ongoing security concerns.
The affected states include:
Northern Nigeria: Borno, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe, and northern Adamawa.
South-South and South-East: Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers State (excluding Port Harcourt).
According to the State Department, Americans are advised to reconsider travel to Nigeria because of crime, terrorism, kidnapping, civil unrest, and inconsistent healthcare services. Travel to the listed Level 4 states is strongly discouraged.
Nigerian Government Responds
The Nigerian government has dismissed the US assessment, describing it as a routine precaution based on Washington’s internal travel advisory procedures rather than an accurate reflection of Nigeria’s overall security situation.
