5 Best VPN for Nigeria in 2023

Nigeria has a history of heavy-handed censorship, with the country recently banning Twitter for over half a year (between June 2021 and January 2022). The social media network has been reinstated, but there's no telling when the next ban might be. It's best to get a reliable Nigeria VPN to avoid the hassle and unblock any banned content in the country.

So, how does that work? Well, you can change your IP address / virtual location with a VPN in Nigeria. For instance, you can connect to a server in Europe or the US, where there are no such extreme examples of censorship.

VPNs also allow you to access international content on Netflix and other streaming platforms that may not be available in Nigeria. Conversely, you can obtain a Nigerian IP address (if you pick a VPN with Nigerian servers). That way, you can access content from back home as an ex-pat or while traveling abroad.

Best of all, VPNs encrypt your traffic so your Internet provider can't tell what you're doing online. Moreover, encryption safeguards your payment data, email, and other sensitive info against hackers - especially on no-password public Wi-Fi.

Here's a quick guide on how to get started.

How to Use a VPN in Nigeria

Getting a reliable Nigerian VPN is an easy process that shouldn't take more than a few minutes. Here's what you need to do:

• Sign up for an account with a trusty Nigeria VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN).
• Download and install the VPN on all your devices.
• Open the VPN client and log in with your account details.
• Connect to a VPN server outside Nigeria to evade censorship.
• Now you can access content that's censored or blocked in Nigeria!

We recommend connecting to a VPN server close to Nigeria for the best possible speed. For example, ExpressVPN has servers in Algeria and Egypt that you can use to evade bans on Nigerian content.

Best Nigeria VPN

The best VPN that works in Nigeria should have fast servers all around the world so that you can access online content censored in the region. It should also provide strong encryption to help you evade surveillance, as well as maintain a no-logs policy to keep your data private. Naturally, you'll want a VPN that can unblock streaming content in Nigeria - the most common use for a VPN. Any extra security features are a welcome plus.

Based on these criteria and our own testing, we believe these are the 5 best Nigeria VPN services available right now:

1. ExpressVPN - Our #1 Rated Nigeria VPN
2. NordVPN - Nigeria VPN with the Best Security
3. CyberGhost VPN - Streaming-Oriented Nigerian VPN
4. Private Internet Access - Largest Server Network
5. IPVanish - Affordable VPN Option for Nigeria

1. ExpressVPN - Our #1 Rated Nigeria VPN

ExpressVPN is the best Nigeria VPN thanks to its wide server network - spanning 3,000+ lightning-fast units across 94 countries. We do have to preface this by saying that ExpressVPN doesn't have Nigerian VPN servers. But if you're looking for close-by servers for better speeds, there are some in Kenya and Algeria you can use.

Where the VPN really shines is security and content unblocking. You get the fast but lightweight Lightway protocol that's great for browsing, safe torrenting, and streaming. Speaking of which, ExpressVPN can unblock most streaming services out there, so do try it out if you're bored of the usual selection on Nigerian Netflix.

ExpressVPN keeps zero user logs (with an independent audit as proof), and implements the TrustedServer technology. The latter wipes any data passing through their servers periodically (and on reset), a great complement to their no-logs policy.

The provider has apps for most operating systems out there. Sadly, ExpressVPN subscriptions only allow 5 devices at a time, which is about the only real negative. Finally, the VPN comes with the usual 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 live chat that's always quick to help.

2. NordVPN - Nigeria VPN with the Best Security

NordVPN excels at everything concerning security. Great news if you're looking for a Nigeria VPN to stay safe online, combat censorship, and evade government surveillance. First off, the provider has a strict no-logs policy that's passed a recent independent security audit. Next, their server infrastructure is RAM-based - much like ExpressVPN, all data is wiped upon reset.

And while NordVPN doesn't have servers in Nigeria, they do have 5,400+ high-performance servers worldwide. The closest VPN locations to Nigeria are in South Africa and the UAE. Of course, it's better to just connect to a server in Europe, of which there are plenty. Good news too, as the VPN can unblock the most popular streaming services out there.

NordVPN also offers specialty servers for increased security. Obfuscated (stealth) servers hide your VPN activity and let you evade VPN bans in restrictive regions. Onion-over-VPN servers let you access the Tor network without actually using Tor. Double VPN servers if you need the extra encryption and anonymity. And, of course, specialized P2P servers for safe torrenting.

Their top feature is Threat Protection, which blocks ads and phishing domains, and even scans downloads for malware. Malware scanning is only for macOS and Windows, but the app works on all major devices. NordVPN subscriptions come with 6 simultaneous connections, a 30-day money-back guarantee, as well as expert 24/7 live chat.

3. CyberGhost VPN - Streaming-Oriented Nigerian VPN

CyberGhost has a huge, high-quality network - 9,000+ servers in 90+ countries. They are relatively slower than our two top competitors but can dish out decent speeds overall. On the plus side, it does currently have 13 servers in Lagos, which NordVPN and ExpressVPN lack. Great if you need a reliable way to get a Nigerian IP address while abroad.

The provider can unblock over 40 streaming services worldwide, so entertainment seekers have plenty of options. It also has a built-in ad blocker to get rid of intrusive ads online. However, it lacks an obfuscation feature, making it a poor choice if you visit countries like China or the UAE or want to hide your VPN activity in Nigeria.

Security-wise, CyberGhost VPN offers WireGuard support and a strict no-logs policy with frequent transparency reports. Moreover, their kill switch is always on, so your data will never leak during random disconnects (if they happen). They also have faster, self-owned servers in Romania for a small fee on top of your existing subscription.

The VPN lets you connect up to 7 devices to your account (all major operating systems supported) and offers 24/7 live chat support. It also has the most generous money-back guarantee out of all our recommendations. A whopping 45 days for long-term subscriptions.

4. Private Internet Access - Largest Server Network

Private Internet Access is the VPN with the largest network we've seen, with tens of thousands of units in 84 countries., as well as all 50 US states. Luckily, the provider also offers one Nigeria VPN location (Lagos) in its wide network.

PIA is headquartered in the US and is part of the "Five Eyes" alliance. While this may worry some privacy buffs, there are no risks involved with using this VPN. The provider's no-logs policy has been proven effective twice now - and in court, no less. They also offer military-grade encryption with support for the fast WireGuard protocol.

PIA works on all major systems, from Windows to Linux and mobile. It allows you to connect up to 10 devices to a single account, which is among the more generous offers out there. Unfortunately, it's not a great option if you're looking for a Nigerian VPN for streaming. It only works with a limited set of streaming sites, and servers can be slower than the competition.

As always, the VPN comes with a robust 30-day money-back guarantee, and you can contact live chat support 24/7. The customer support reps are usually quite helpful, so expect to have your issues resolved in a timely manner.

5. IPVanish - Affordable VPN Option for Nigeria

IPVanish is one of the more affordable providers out there, perfect if you're looking for a Nigeria VPN on a budget. The best part is that IPVanish doesn't limit how many devices you can connect to a single account. Chip in with friends or family, and you all get the benefits of a decent premium, zero-logs VPN.

You get 2,000+ servers in 75+ locations, with much of their server infrastructure being self-owned (and thus more private). Unfortunately, the VPN doesn't have servers in Nigeria, even though it's advertised on their VPN locations page. Regardless, IPVanish works decently with several streaming platforms, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video.

Their apps are supported on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, with manual setups available for Linux and older operating system versions. Recommended for advanced users that want to secure older devices.

All IPVanish plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. And as with any top-notch VPN for Nigeria, you have fast 24/7 live chat at your disposal.

Why Do I Need a VPN for Nigeria?

You need a VPN in Nigeria to combat censorship, maintain your privacy, secure your data against hacking attempts, and unblock streaming content from abroad. Here's more info:

• Censorship - The Nigerian government has blocked Twitter for over half a year, and many other sites are banned in the region. A VPN helps you get around such issues entirely.
• Privacy - Journalists and citizens alike have been punished for criticizing the government. Encrypt your data to prevent your ISP from seeing what you do or say online.
• Security - Nigeria is rife with cybercrime, and VPNs form your first line of defense against hacking attempts, especially true on unsecured public Wi-Fi.
• Streaming - Netflix launched in Nigeria in 2020, but with a limited selection of shows. Get a VPN with a wide server network, and you have a whole new world of content to explore.

Can I Use a Free VPN for Nigeria?

Yes, you can use a free VPN for Nigeria - but only if all you intend to do is some light Web browsing. That said, most free VPNs impose data caps (5-10 GB per month), throttle your speeds, and have a limited selection of servers.

Even worse, many free VPNs log and sell user information to cover operational costs. Others have leaked user data online, including payment data, personal addresses, and more. That said, it's not ideal to entrust a free VPN with your personal data.

However, if you're adamant about using a free VPN, click the provided link to learn about the best options available now (keep in mind they all bring some limitations).

Final Thoughts

Using a Nigeria VPN is a necessity if the government decides to ban more major platforms like Twitter in the future. Even if they don't, there is plenty of content currently unavailable (or banned) in Nigeria that a VPN can help you unblock. Not to mention VPNs help you stay safe on unsecured public networks and keep your network activity hidden from your ISP.

For these purposes, we highly recommend ExpressVPN. While the VPN doesn't have Nigeria servers, it still has 3,000+ blazing-fast servers in 90+ countries. It works with most streaming sites, keeps no logs, and has obfuscation enabled everywhere to bypass potential VPN blocks (and hide your VPN activity).

Feel free to visit our dedicated best VPN guide for more excellent options you can consider.

Have you used a Nigeria VPN following the Twitter ban in 2021? Which VPN did you pick, and do you still use it? Let us know in the comments below!