Living in Nigeria as a Chinese National: Visas, Business, Safety and Community

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and one of China’s largest export markets on the continent. Chinese residents are concentrated in Lagos, Abuja and Kano, and in two Chinese-developed zones: the Lekki Free Zone in Lagos State and the Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone in Ogun State. Most work in construction contracting, trade, manufacturing and investment.

Since 2025 Nigeria has tightened visa and foreigner registration rules, and security risk varies widely from state to state. Getting your papers in order and taking security seriously come first. This page gives an overview; each topic has its own detailed page.

Key facts

Figures from the 2025 MOFCOM country guide [1].

What Chinese people do in Nigeria

Using the figures this site adopts, there are roughly 30,000–50,000 Chinese in Nigeria (statements by the Chinese ambassador in 2017 and 2020), plus 6,035 Chinese contract workers at the end of 2024. For comparisons with other countries, see Chinese population in Africa.

According to the MOFCOM guide [1]:

• Trade: China–Nigeria trade was USD 21.89 billion in 2024. China is Nigeria’s largest trading partner and largest source of imports, mainly machinery, electrical goods, vehicles, steel and plastics.
• Contracting: In 2024 Chinese firms signed new contracts worth USD 7.76 billion and completed USD 3.45 billion of work, mainly roads, railways, power, telecoms, aviation and oil.
• Investment: China’s direct investment stock reached USD 2.715 billion at the end of 2024, in economic zones, solid minerals, appliance and vehicle assembly, food, drinks and bottled water, textiles and agriculture.
• Zones: The Lekki and Ogun-Guangdong zones host Chinese factories making building materials, ceramics, furniture, hardware, medicines, electronics and food products.

Visas and work permits

From 1 May 2025, short-visit visas moved to a fully online e-Visa system and visa on arrival was discontinued [2]. e-Visas cannot be extended, and a business visa does not allow you to work.

To work, your employer first needs an Expatriate Quota from the Ministry of Interior; you then get a work visa and a CERPAC residence card [1]. Since 1 September 2025, overstays are fined USD 15 per day, and long overstays lead to entry bans [2]. See Nigeria visas and work permits.

Setting up a business

Outside oil and gas, foreign investors may own 100% of a Nigerian company. Companies register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC); companies with foreign shareholders must also register with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) and obtain a Business Permit from the Ministry of Interior [1][3]. Chinese-invested firms should also file with the Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy [1].

The main day-to-day problems are foreign exchange, slow approvals, unreliable power and late payment on contracts. See Registering a company in Nigeria.

Safety overview

In risk levels published on 2 September 2026, the Chinese Embassy and Consulate-General rated Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Kaduna, Zamfara and Niger states, and Ogun State outside Abeokuta and the Ogun-Guangdong zone, as red (extreme risk) and advised Chinese citizens not to go there. Lagos, Kano, Rivers and others (24 entries in total) are orange (high risk); everywhere else is yellow (medium risk) [4].

The MOFCOM guide notes that kidnappings and robberies involving Chinese citizens occur from time to time [1]. See Nigeria safety guide.

Chinese community and business associations

The China General Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria was founded in Abuja in July 2011 and had 182 member companies according to the MOFCOM guide. Lagos also has the Lagos Chinese chamber of commerce and a Chinese trading companies’ association [1]. The chamber runs QQ and WeChat groups used for security alerts. See Chinese community in Nigeria.

Cost of living pointers

All figures below are from the 2025 MOFCOM guide [1]. Prices move fast, so treat them as indicative:

• Inflation: CPI was 34.80% year on year in December 2024 (food 39.84%) and eased to 16.5% in October 2025.
• Exchange rate: On 1 October 2025 the official rate was about NGN 1,460 per US dollar and NGN 204 per yuan. Naira and yuan cannot be settled directly in Nigeria.
• Rent: Average apartment rent in Abuja was about NGN 2.43 million a year; in central Maitama a unit can reach NGN 7.72 million a year.
• Power and fuel: Band A electricity rose to NGN 225/kWh in April 2024. Supply is unreliable and most businesses run generators; diesel was about NGN 980 per litre in October 2025.
• Cards: Apart from Visa and Mastercard, Chinese-issued cards rarely work. Cash above USD 10,000 must be declared when entering or leaving.
• Health: Malaria is widespread (about 68 million cases in 2023, 27% of the global total), and Lassa fever, cholera and typhoid are also present.

Public holidays and local customs

Public holidays include New Year (1 January), Good Friday and Easter Monday, Labour Day (1 May), Democracy Day (12 June), Independence Day (1 October), Christmas (25 December) and Boxing Day (26 December). Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr and the Prophet’s birthday move each year and are announced by the federal government [1].

The MOFCOM guide notes that the left hand is considered unclean, so do not pass things or food with it; avoid staring at people in conversation; and many Muslims in the north do not drink, which matters when hosting. Nationwide strikes have been frequent since 2023; the statutory minimum wage rose to NGN 70,000 a month in July 2024, and Chinese companies have been affected by strikes several times [1].

Embassy and emergencies

Phone numbers are from the 2 September 2026 safety notice [4]; the consulate website is from the MFA page [7]. The Lagos consulate covers the 20 southern states, including Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Enugu and Anambra [1]. In April 2026 the embassy asked all Chinese citizens in Nigeria to complete overseas citizen registration [5]. For what consular protection can and cannot do, see Consular protection guide; for neighbouring countries, see West Africa.

References

1. Country Guide for Outbound Investment and Cooperation: Nigeria (2025 edition) (MOFCOM / CAITEC / Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, December 2025)
2. Nigeria introduces e-Visa, digital entry system (News Agency of Nigeria, 2 May 2025)
3. Citizenship and Business FAQ (Expatriate Quota and Business Permit) (Federal Ministry of Interior, Nigeria, accessed 2026)
4. Nigeria travel risk levels and safety reminder (Embassy of China in Nigeria and Consulate-General in Lagos, 2 September 2026)
5. Reminder to all Chinese citizens in Nigeria to complete overseas citizen registration (Embassy of China in Nigeria, 22 April 2026)
6. Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nigeria (Embassy of China in Nigeria, accessed 2026)
7. Chinese Consulate General in Lagos (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, 2024)