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Nigeria has a history of online censorship and according to Freedom House, the country’s digital surveillance apparatus has repeatedly has been used to locate and arrest journalists. Of course, there are plenty of other reasons to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) in Nigeria: you might just want to stay safe on public wi-fi networks or access streaming platforms from back home.
That’s where we come in. We’ve used our years of experience to identify the best VPN providers for people in Nigeria. This way, you can save time on research and get back to doing the things you love online.
Here’s a quick summary of the top VPNs for Nigeria in 2023. If any stand out, just scroll down for more info.
NordVPN: Has a large server network, particularly high speeds, and the ability to beat just about any online restrictions. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you the chance to try it risk-free.
Surfshark: Best low-cost VPN for Nigeria. Allows unlimited connections and makes it easy to get a Nigerian IP address. Impressive download speeds.
ExpressVPN: Offers access to 90+ server locations including Kenya and South Africa. Provides user-friendly apps, a solid privacy policy, and very fast speeds.
CyberGhost: An easy-to-use VPN with 10+ Nigerian servers and strong encryption. Ideal for boosting online privacy as you travel.
IPVanish: Faster than many other VPNs, with a zero-logs policy and a good set of security features. Connect as many devices as you like.
PrivateVPN: A no-logs service with decent speeds and exceptional privacy. Has a server in Lagos, Nigeria, and a stealth mode that works nearly anywhere.
Atlas VPN: Gain an extra layer of online anonymity with this VPN’s advanced security tools. Ideal for streaming, video-calling, and other day-to-day tasks.
How to use a VPN in Nigeria
VPNs are one of the easiest ways to enhance your online privacy though they can be a little confusing at first. Don’t worry, we’ll explain how to secure your online activities in a matter of minutes.
Here’s how to connect to a VPN in Nigeria:
Decide which VPN is right for you.
Download and install the VPN software, then login.
Now, let’s connect. In our experience, nearby servers provide the fastest speeds. However, there may be times when you need a server in a distant location (for instance, an American tourist may want to use a US server to stream TV from back home).
After a moment, the VPN will let you know if everything has worked properly. From this point on, all of your internet traffic is encrypted and hidden from your ISP and anyone else who might be watching. If you’re trying to access geo-restricted content, you may need to clear your cookies for any changes to take effect.
Finding the best VPNs for Nigeria: Our methodology
Not every VPN service has what it takes to get you a Nigerian IP address, beat online censorship, or keep you safe online. Our methodology involved looking for the following in each of the best VPNs for Nigeria:
Large server network: More locations means a higher chance of having a fast server nearby. It also increases the amount of content you can access. We also looked for those with servers in Nigeria since a Nigerian IP address is required to use many of your usual services when you go abroad.
Server speed: We regularly run hundreds of speed tests to make sure we only reocmmend the fastest VPNs. This way, we know that our top services are quick enough for data-intensive tasks like torrenting and 4K streaming.
Unblocking: Plenty of sites aren’t accessible in Nigeria, so we looked for VPN services capable of evading detection and getting around strict online restrictions. This way, you won’t be left without a way to communicate with friends and family if the Nigerian government blocks social media again.
Security and privacy: The best VPNs for Nigeria use high-end encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. We also look for a no-logs policy and ideally, evidence of prior audits
Ease of use: We look for multi-platform support, top-tier customer service and anything else that makes a VPN more welcoming to newcomers. This might be task-specific servers or simply a lack of connection limits
Value: Despite offering all of the above, the best VPNs for Nigeria must remain affordable. Be sure to take advantage of our VPN discount coupons which allow you to save even more. Additionally, every VPN above offers a money-back guarantee.
Our VPN testing methodology post explains how we test and analyze each VPN against criteria such as speed and security.
VPNs in Nigeria: FAQs
Are VPNs legal in Nigeria?
At the time of writing, VPNs are completely legal in Nigeria and, in fact, most of the world. Remember: these are legitimate privacy tools used by millions of people for all kinds of reasons. As such, the only reason you’d get into trouble is if you used the VPN to do something illegal, like harassing someone or downloading copyrighted content.
Disclaimer: Although we’ve spent hours researching this topic, we are not legal experts. As such, nothing we’ve said above should be taken as legal advice. We encourage you to consult local laws or perhaps even seek a professional’s opinion before attempting to use a VPN if you’re unsure of their legality.
Can I get a Nigerian IP address?
If you’re not currently in Nigeria, the easiest way to get an IP address from the country is to use a VPN. The problem is that most VPNs don’t have Nigerian servers, as African countries are consistently underrepresented by major providers.
There are a few services with servers in Nigeria, though: Surfshark, CyberGhost, And PrivateVPN. All of these providers include a money-back guarantee, meaning you can try them out and get a refund if you’re unsatisifed in any way.
Which websites are blocked in Nigeria?
There’s no complete list of every website that’s blocked in Nigeria, and often, these restrictions only apply for a short time. However, the government has previously blocked access to:
Twitter
News outlets with unfavorable coverage
Websites of activism and non-profit groups
Pro-Biafra content
It’s important to recognize that new restrictions could be implemented at any time without a valid cause. As such, you may want to consider using a VPN to keep your online activities private and ensure access to the wider internet should one of your regular sites become inaccessible.
Why should I use a VPN in Nigeria?
Not only is internet censorship an issue in Nigeria, but travelers frequently have to deal with geo-restricted websites. For instance, Nigerian Netflix has fewer than 2,000 titles on it, while Netflix US has more than three times that amount! VPNs can help you spoof your location and regain access to your usual content no matter where you go.
More importantly, the best VPNs for Nigeria can provide you with greater online security. The Nigerian government has been known to arrest internet users (particularly bloggers and journalists) based on their online activities. As a VPN hides your real IP address and prevents anyone from monitoring your web traffic, it provides some much-needed protection to blog anonymously.
Can I use a free VPN in Nigeria?
You can use a free VPN in Nigeria. However, doing so comes with risks. Our research indicates that some of the most popular free VPNs contain trackers, request more access to your device than they really need, and less than great privacy policies. Additionally, many lack basic security tools, which means they’ll do very little to shield you from governmental surveillance.
Aside from security issues, free VPNs tend to suffer from poor performance. That’s because they have too many users and too few servers to meet demand. Bandwidth caps are common with free VPNs, and as such, they’re unsuitable for regular use. Overall, free VPNs tend to be frustrating experiences that aren’t worth your time and effort.
