This classification places Nigeria one level below the “extreme” risk category, alongside nations such as Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Lebanon, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Venezuela, Haiti, and Honduras.
Nigeria has been listed as one of the countries posing a high security risk in a new global study assessing security, health, and climate change risks for 2025.
This classification places Nigeria one level below the “extreme” risk category, alongside nations such as Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Lebanon, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Venezuela, Haiti, and Honduras.
The study, conducted by security and health risk services firm International SOS, revealed the world’s most dangerous countries to visit based on various risk factors.
Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic were named among the most dangerous, categorized as “extreme risk” countries due to ongoing conflict and instability. Also included in this category were Yemen, Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and Ukraine.
Conversely, Morocco emerged as one of the safest countries in the world from a security standpoint, joining Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, and Vietnam on the list of “low risk” nations.
The annual risk map evaluates countries on a five-tier scale, ranging from “low” to “very high” for medical risks and from “insignificant” to “extreme” for security risks.
It considers factors such as conflict, infectious diseases, mental health challenges, and the effects of climate change to guide travelers and businesses.
Notably, no country’s security risk rating was downgraded this year, highlighting the global increase in instability. Regions experiencing significant security risk escalations include Sudan, Lebanon, Israel, Iraq, and Myanmar, where conflicts throughout 2024 have intensified and expanded to affect larger population areas.
Sally Llewellyn, Global Security Director at International SOS, noted that geopolitical tensions were the primary factor in the increased risk ratings.
She emphasized that conflicts in areas like Sudan and Lebanon have heightened risks in population centers, forcing organizations to adapt to new realities.
In the Pacific, New Caledonia moved from a “low” to “medium” security risk due to the long-term impacts of social unrest, economic decline, and related crime.
In terms of medical risks, Bolivia rose from “medium” to “high,” while Libya improved, dropping from “extreme” to “high.” Dr. Katherine O’Reilly, Regional Medical Director at International SOS, stated that medical risk changes are determined by factors like access to healthcare, medicine availability, and the prevalence of diseases.
The study aims to support organizations in fulfilling their duty of care to employees by providing data-driven insights into the risks associated with specific locations.
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