Diplomatic row looms over Nigeria, Australia travel advisories

Nigeria and Australia may get into a diplomatic row following travel advisories issued by both countries against each other, travel experts have warned.

The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently issued a warning to its citizens, advising them to exercise increased caution while travelling to Australia.

The advisory was issued shortly after Australia’s government advised its citizens against travelling to Nigeria, citing concerns over terrorism, kidnapping, and violent crimes.

This advisory is coming as a direct response to rising reports of harassment and discrimination against foreign nationals in Australia, including racial profiling, verbal abuse, and hate crimes targeting minority groups.

States such as Adamawa, Borno, Bayelsa, and Delta states were identified as particularly risky.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade emphasised that citizens should “reconsider their need to travel to Nigeria due to the volatile security situation.”

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Nigeria’s immediate response has raised concerns about a potential diplomatic rift.

They advice that if both countries do not resolve the issue, it may escalate to become a diplomats issue that could affect citizens of both countries.

In less than 24 hours after Australia’s advisory, Nigeria responded with its travel alert, which warned of discrimination, harassment, and verbal abuse against Nigerians in Australia.

“The unfortunate recent surge in antisemitic and Islamophobic hate crimes in Australia has increased the risk of violence, hence the need for caution,” the statement read.

Ogbole Amedu-Ode, former Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico and Singapore,was quoted in Punch to have said “Traditionally, reciprocity is the name of the game in diplomacy. Nigeria is on the right track to avoid being unfairly criticised by a foreign country that should be a friend, particularly one like Australia, which is also a prominent member of the Commonwealth of Nations.”

He stressed that both countries should engage diplomatically to resolve the situation, warning that it could escalate if not carefully managed.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.