Every device that browses the web has an IP address. This serves to identify the host or network and the approximate location. A VPN can protect your true IP address from being leaked, thus serving to disguise your location. Short for “Virtual Private Network”, a VPN does this by encrypting your device’s web traffic and routing it through one of its servers.

It’s strongly recommended that you use a VPN in Nigeria for a number of reasons. In particular, using a quality paid VPN can improve online freedom without fear of being monitored by the state. Furthermore, a growing number of sites (including Twitter) are blocked in Nigeria. You’ll be able to unblock these by connecting to a VPN server located outside of Nigeria.

If you don’t want to wait any longer to find out the best VPNs for Nigeria in 2023, here’s a quick summary (but be sure to read on to find out more about each VPN):

Criteria for selecting Nigeria VPNs

There are many VPNs available which makes finding a VPN easy. However, it’s choosing the right VPN that’s the tricky part. We aim to take the difficulty out of the process by providing you with our findings. We’ve searched high and low to find the best VPN for Nigeria in 2023. In order to do this, we narrowed down the options to those that met the following criteria:

There are no hidden terms—just contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn’t right for you and you’ll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.

  • Network of fast and consistent servers around the world
  • Strong security with encryption and a no-logs policy
  • Able to unblock popular geo-restricted streaming services
  • User-friendly apps for desktop and mobile
  • Fast and friendly customer support
  • Money-back guarantee

Best VPNs for Nigeria- at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features for the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for Nigeria.

How to use a VPN in Nigeria

No matter whether you’re in Nigeria or any other country, the process of using a VPN is the same. Here’s what you should do if you want to use a VPN in Nigeria:

  • Decide which VPN is right for you – NordVPN is our top recommendation.
  • Download and install the VPN software. Make sure it’s the right version for your device!
  • Open the VPN and select a server – you’ll have the choice of many countries worldwide. Some VPNs will even suggest the best server based on your location.
  • You should now be protected with a VPN! If you’re trying to access geo-restricted content, you may need to clear your cookies for any changes to take effect.

Best VPNs for Nigeria

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for Nigeria:

1. NordVPN

                    Jan 2023

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Background
  • FireTV

Website: www.NordVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

NordVPN is our top pick for a Nigeria VPN. It outperforms all competitors in our speed tests and is one of the biggest VPNs on the market with a network exceeding 5,000 servers. These are situated in 60 countries worldwide, allowing you to unblock content from the United States, UK, Japan and more. Having such a high number of servers means there’s less strain on each, improving speed and stability.

NordVPN is excellent for securely accessing your usual services as you travel. This includes streaming services such as Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu and BBC iPlayer. Of course, it’ll also allow you to use platforms like Twitter in Nigeria. Download speeds were particularly fast and our streaming tests didn’t involve buffering or lag.

Apps let you search by country or by specialty server. Options available are Dedicated IP, P2P, Onion Over VPN, and Double VPN. Each NordVPN server in the list details the server load percentage (generally, the lower the percentage, the faster the server will be).

While performance and usability are very important in a VPN, so too is the security it provides. This is particularly the case in countries such as Nigeria where online freedom is somewhat limited. NordVPN’s security standards are exceptionally high. Referring to itself as a “100% anonymous VPN”, it’s based in Panama, outside of EU and US jurisdiction. Indeed, it has a strict no logs policy as well as 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection and kill switch.

NordVPN apps can be downloaded for Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, and Linux. It can be manually configured with select routers. There’s also an app available for Android TV and browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.

BEST VPN FOR NIGERIA:NordVPN is our top pick. It works with popular streaming sites, and has a huge network of servers, superfast speeds, and plenty of security features. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee making it a risk-free option.

Pros:

Cons:

  • Some servers are unreliable

Our score:

Read our full NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website: www.Surfshark.com

This provider is particularly strong when it comes to privacy and security. No logs are maintained whatsoever and your data is protected with military-grade encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch. Security extras include split tunnelling, automatic wifi protection, and the option to send traffic through two VPN servers.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. You can manually configure the VPN on some routers. Surfshark also offers extensions for Chrome and Firefox. A major perk is that Surfshark doesn’t impose a limit on the number of devices you can connect at a given time.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is a great low-cost VPN that offers a ton of features. It’s fast and reliable, keeps no logs, and packs plenty of security features. Plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Solid speeds for streaming

  • Works with a ton of sites

  • Lots of security extras

  • No limit on connections

  • 24/7 live chat support

  • Some servers can be a bit slow

Read our full Surfshark review.

3. ExpressVPN

Website: www.ExpressVPN.com

ExpressVPN is capable of unblocking most geo-restricted content you’re likely to come across, and it’s also highly rated for its excellent security offering. ExpressVPN lets you stream anything from Netflix to ESPN. This is a VPN provider with over 3,000 servers across 94 countries. The servers we’ve tested provide high speeds, which made streaming 4K content very easy thanks to the unlimited bandwidth and no throttling.

You can have online anonymity thanks to ExpressVPN’s security features, which include 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection and a kill switch. Based in the British Virgin Islands, Express VPN isn’t subject to data retention laws and keeps no identifying logs of its users.

GREAT UNBLOCKER:ExpressVPN is a great all-rounder Great for streaming. Has fast speeds for streaming, strong security and excellent 24/7 support.

  • High speed browsing and streaming

  • Large network of servers worldwide

  • No issues with most geo-restricted platforms

  • User-friendly apps and browser extensions

  • Quick and helpful live chat support, 24/7

  • Slightly more expensive than most VPNs

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

4. CyberGhost

Website: www.Cyberghost.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

CyberGhost is a VPN service that not only offers fast speeds for streaming but also strong security to protect your online anonymity. This VPN provider’s network consists of more than 9,000 servers in 90 countries, some of which are located in Kenya and South Africa. With unlimited bandwidth and traffic, CyberGhost’s performance is very good for streaming.

We think that CyberGhost is a great value VPN, particularly considering you can have up to seven simultaneous connections. Live chat support is available, though you’re unlikely to encounter many problems; the CyberGhost apps are straightforward and responsive. Selecting a server and activating features such as an ad-blocker or data compression takes seconds. Overall, CyberGhost is a secure VPN to use in Nigeria since it uses 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IP leak protection and automatic kill switch. This VPN provider is based in Romania and has a no logs policy.

EXCELLENT VALUE:CyberGhost has thousands of servers worldwide. Features high-speed servers, live chat support and excellent security.

  • Extraordinarily high speeds

  • 7 simultaneous connections on a single account

  • Live chat support

  • Apps that are quick and easy to use

  • Strong security features

  • Could offer more control over advanced features

Read our full CyberGhost review.

5. IPVanish

Website: www.IPVanish.com

If you’re looking for a secure VPN to use in Nigeria, IPVanish ticks that box. It uses strong 256-bit AES encryption and has DNS and IPv6 leak protection built in. Aside from this, a kill switch cuts your internet connection when the VPN is disconnected, preventing an accidental leak of your data. What’s more, IPVanish doesn’t keep any traffic logs.

PERFECT FOR FAMILIES:IPVanish has fast and consistent speeds. Ideal for families thanks to the option of securing all of your devices simultaneously.

  • Fast and consistent speeds

  • Works well with Kodi

  • No connection limit

  • Lots of security features

  • Struggles with Netflix

  • No option to pay in Bitcoin

Read our full IPVanish review.

6. PrivateVPN

Website: www.PrivateVPN.com

Streaming with PrivateVPN is seamless and we didn’t encounter any buffering. Connecting to servers is extremely quick while the consistency of the connection was impressive. PrivateVPN lets you connect up to 10 devices simultaneously, all of which receive unique IP addresses. Based in Sweden, PrivateVPN states that it has a zero data logging policy. It uses 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and lPv6 leak protection, and a built-in kill switch. You also have the option of paying in bitcoin for increased privacy.

PrivateVPN offers apps for Windows and Mac as well as for mobile on Android and iOS. Manual configuration is necessary for Linux and routers.

  • Live chat isn’t available 24/7
  • Could do with a Linux app

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

Finding the best VPNs for Nigeria: Our methodology

Not every VPN is suitable for use in Nigeria, particularly when it comes to bypassing restrictions and keeping you safe online. However, there are many different factors to consider when choosing a VPN. Our methodology involved looking for the following in each of the best VPNs for Nigeria:

  • Servers worldwide: It’s particularly important that your VPN offers servers in a wide range of locations. This allows you flexibility when it comes to finding a fast server near your location as well as unblocking region-locked and government-censored content. The VPNs we’ve selected all offer servers in dozens of countries around the world.
  • Speed: Many VPNs lack the connection speeds required to stream and torrent. Our speed tests have identified the fastest VPNs, all of which offer unlimited bandwidth. This means that you can browse, stream, and torrent without having to contend with frustrating performance issues such as low resolution, lag, and buffering.
  • Unblocking: There is a level of online censorship in Nigeria with news and political sites having been blocked. Notably, the Nigerian government blocked Twitter in 2021. With this in mind, we looked for those VPNs with the strongest unblocking ability so you can continue to access your favorite online content as normal.
  • Security: Whether you’re in Nigeria or traveling abroad, security risks are ever-present on the web. However, you can substantially reduce your odds of becoming a victim with a VPN. The best VPNs for Nigeria use high-end encryption to secure your internet traffic while they also provide a kill switch as well as DNS leak protection.
  • Privacy: Internet users (particularly bloggers and journalists) have been arrested in Nigeria for their online activities. It’s also worth knowing that the Nigerian government has, according to Freedom House, sought to “enhance its surveillance capabilities”. We’ve analyzed 140 VPN logging policies to identify VPNs that will protect your privacy.
  • Ease of use: We’re aware that this may be your first time using a VPN. Even if this isn’t the case, it’s unlikely you’re seeking anything other than a user-friendly experience! You can expect the best VPNs for Nigeria to offer easy-to-use desktop and mobile apps as well as live chat and email support (available 24 hours a day).
  • Value for money: Despite offering all of the above, the VPNs listed in this post remain affordable. This is particularly the case when you opt for a more long-term subscription plan. Be sure to take advantage of our VPN discount coupons which allow you to save even more. Remember, all of the VPNs listed come with a money-back guarantee.

Our VPN testing methodology post explains even more about how we test and analyze each VPN against criteria such as speed and security.

Why should I use a VPN in Nigeria?

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, many of whom were charged for “cyberstalking”.

There is some concern, particularly from opposition parties, that the government will soon attempt to crack down on any online dissent. These concerns were heightened in March 2018 when the Senate proposed a hate speech bill that would prove limiting to freedom of speech in Nigeria. In June of 2021, the government went even further, and made Twitter completely inaccessible. The catalyst for this was simple: the country’s president didn’t like that Twitter had removed a tweet of his that promised severe punishments to anyone favoring secession. By using a VPN, you can not only evade this kind of country-wide blocking, you can also ensure your privacy and use the internet without worrying about who might be watching.

Can I use a free VPN in Nigeria?

Yes, you can use a free VPN in Nigeria. However, doing so does come with some risk. It’s worth mentioning that free VPNs are not as secure. Many of them lack vital security features which means that your data can still be compromised. While Nigeria has seen a sharp increase in public WiFi hotspots, it also brings the danger of hackers and malware. Without strong encryption and a kill switch to cut your traffic should the VPN connection drop, your personal information will be at risk.

Believe it or not, many free VPNs contain malware. This is often in the form of spam ads that are as annoying and irrelevant as they are dangerous. Some free VPNs don’t have a no-logs policy. This for us is a dealbreaker since your personal information should remain private to you. If a free VPN is collecting your data and online activity, they may well pass it on to third parties for a profit.

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, you’ll find it difficult to stream without extensive buffering and lag. Overall, free VPNs tend to be a frustrating experience that aren’t worth your time and effort.

VPNs in Nigeria: FAAre 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. 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 couple of services with servers in Nigeria, though: Surfshark and CyberGhost. Both of these providers includes 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 becoming inaccessible.

There are a couple of services with servers in Nigeria, though: Surfshark and CyberGhost. Both of these providers includes a money-back guarantee, meaning you can try them out and get a refund if you’re unsatisifed in any way.

  • 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 becoming inaccessible.