The Best Nigeria VPN in 2021: Unblock Twitter & Access a Free Internet
The Twitter ban in Nigeria is the government's first significant move to regulate social media use. It’s a sign of the deteriorating state of internet freedom in the country and proof that VPNs are indispensable for Nigerian internet users. Read on to find the best Nigeria VPN to sidestep censorship.
The downhill trend of Nigeria’s internet freedom isn’t stopping anytime soon. The safety of protesters, bloggers and journalists is increasingly at risk as the Nigerian government takes more repressive steps, from opening fire on protesters at the “Lekki massacre” in October 2020 to banning Twitter on June 4, 2021. The Twitter ban especially is a sign of growing online censorship, and it further stresses the importance of using the best VPN for Nigeria.
A virtual private network helps you reclaim online freedom and access censored websites like Twitter with ease. It masks your IP address, making it appear as though you are accessing Twitter from outside Nigeria, thus bypassing the internet censorship. However, while most VPNs mask your IP, not all can protect you during and after the act.
Key Takeaways:
- ExpressVPN is the best VPN to bypass censorship in Nigeria because it offers strong security, worldwide servers and very fast speeds.
- NordVPN is another very secure VPN, which is suitable for Nigerian bloggers, journalists and activists.
- CyberGhost is a reliable yet pocket-friendly VPN for bypassing censorship and accessing Nigerian content if you travel abroad.
- Windscribe is hands down the best free VPN for Nigerians on a tight budget.
In this article, we’ll discuss the five best VPNs to defeat Nigerian censorship, sidestep government monitoring and protect your online privacy. We’ll discuss their security and privacy profiles, starting with ExpressVPN — our best VPN for Nigeria. The goal is to help you find the ideal VPN service to sail the murky digital waters in Nigeria.
It’s simple. Pick a VPN from our list (we recommend ExpressVPN), head over to the official website and complete the signup process, then download and install the app on your device.
First off, you need a VPN with a server in Nigeria (CyberGhost fits the bill). Install the VPN app on your device, log in and select one of the servers in Nigeria. Press connect and you’ll be good to go.
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Nigeria. It offers top-notch security and privacy, has fast speeds and gets into all streaming platforms.
Nigeria’s ministry of information and culture gave a vague explanation for the ban. In reality, though, the social platform was banned indefinitely after it deleted the president’s tweet — a move that irked the administration.
Top VPNs for Nigeria
- 1
- : PayPal, Credit card, Bitcoin, regional payment systems, WebMoney
- : 5
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- 2
- : Credit card, Google Pay, AmazonPay, ACH Transfer, UnionPay, Crypto Currencies, PayPal (via Paddle)
- : 6
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- 3
- : PayPal, Credit card, bitcoin, Paymentwall
- : Unlimited
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- 4
- : PayPal, Credit card, bitcoin
- : 7
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- 5
- : PayPal, Credit card, SOFORT, SEPA, direct bank transfer
- : 10
- :
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What Makes the Best Nigeria VPN?
Although using a VPN in Nigeria is completely legal, you have to make sure the service fits the bill in a restrictive environment. The VPN should prioritize online security and privacy without compromising speed. Before discussing the VPN features you need to look out for, here’s a sneak peek into our best VPNs for Nigeria.
- ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Nigerians to bypass censorship
- NordVPN — Provides stellar security and privacy
- Windscribe — Free service with strong security
- CyberGhost — Affordable and secure VPN with servers in Nigeria
- Hide.me — Cheap VPN with advanced security features
You need a VPN with strong security features to protect you as you go about your activities online. AES 256-bit encryption, DNS leak protection and superior VPN protocols help prevent government or ISP surveillance. Privacy features such as a strict no-logs policy are important, too, particularly with the government vowing to prosecute residents who bypass censorship.
You should also look for a VPN with a network of servers worldwide. Note, though, that if you want a VPN that can provide a Nigerian IP address, you’ll need one that has servers in Nigeria. However, this list prioritizes security first, which means that not all the VPNs here have Nigerian servers. If that’s what you’re looking for, check out our article on how to get a Nigerian IP address.
The last thing you have to consider is the compatibility of the VPN with your device. If you want to use Twitter on the go with your VPN, you have to pick a VPN that works seamlessly on mobile, and the VPNs on our list work flawlessly with iOS and Android.
The Top 5 VPNs for Nigeria
We looked at the top VPNs’ security profiles and usability on mobile and balanced this with overall quality to pick the top services for Nigeria. We’ll discuss the strengths (and weaknesses, if any) of the best VPN providers for Nigeria, starting with ExpressVPN.
1. ExpressVPN
More details about ExpressVPN:
- Pricing: $6.67 per month, plus three months free on the yearly plan
- Provider website: www.expressvpn.com
Pros:
- Super-fast servers worldwide
- Top-notch security & privacy
- Unparalleled ability to unblock streaming services
- Compatible with all operating systems & routers
Cons:
- Pricey
- No servers in Nigeria
ExpressVPN is the undisputed VPN for Nigeria, thanks to its stellar security and fast speeds. Even though it doesn’t offer Nigerian servers, it provides over 3,000 servers in 94 countries. In addition, it routes your traffic and data via a leak-proof tunnel to keep you safe and anonymous online, whether you’re home or using public WiFi networks.
There’s a kill switch that cuts internet traffic when VPN connection drops unexpectedly. Plus, it uses TrustedServer technology to erase personal information with every reboot and abides by a strict no-logs policy to make sure you stay anonymous online.
Fast & Secure Servers
ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN on the market, thanks to the blazing-fast servers that consistently deliver unmatched speed. That, coupled with the ability to break into streaming services, makes it the best VPN for streaming. So whether you’re streaming Netflix U.S., NBA games online or English Premier League games from Nigeria, you’ll get a buffering-free experience.
ExpressVPN is on the higher end of the pricing spectrum. Although it doesn’t offer a free plan, it provides a 30-day money-back guarantee for extra peace of mind. Read our ExpressVPN review to learn more.
Although ExpressVPN is pricey, it gives you a lot of bang for the buck, thanks to its all-around performance. It offers a rich set of features: TrustedServer, no-logs policy, strong encryption and protocols, kill switch and five simultaneous connections. Moreover, it’s compatible with all devices: Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, routers, Linux, smart TVs and browser extensions.
2. NordVPN
More details about NordVPN:
- Pricing: $4.13 per month on the two-year plan
- Provider website: www.nordvpn.com
Pros:
- More than 5300 servers in 59 countries
- Advanced security features
- Connect to six devices simultaneously
- Onion Over VPN & Double VPN servers
Cons:
- Inconsistent speeds across locations
- No servers in Nigeria
NordVPN is a reliable VPN that can help you get around government surveillance and censorship in Nigeria. With it, you get over 5,300 servers in 59 countries to mask your IP and spoof your location to access blocked content and websites. Besides that, it offers features like a kill switch, stellar encryption and VPN protocols to keep you safe and private online.
NordVPN also comes with the “Onion Over VPN” servers that envelop your personal information and traffic in layers of encryption. When you use the servers to circumvent the Twitter ban, the layers of anonymity make it even more difficult for government surveillance agencies to trace the activity back to you. Plus, with the strict no-logs policy, it retains no evidence of your online activities.
Specialty Double VPN Servers
NordVPN gives you “double VPN” servers, which hide your traffic behind two servers, making it twice as difficult for the government or snoopers to track you. It specifically markets this feature toward journalists, who need that extra level of protection from unjustified government arrests.
NordVPN is a budget-friendly VPN that costs $4.13 per month on the two-year plan. There’s no free plan, but that shouldn’t worry you because NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you need more time to make a buying decision. Read our NordVPN review to learn more.
We recommend NordVPN for political activists, journalists, human rights activists and bloggers who need to access and share sensitive information online. Its real forte is watertight online security and privacy. Even though it records inconsistent speeds across locations, it is a great VPN for protecting any online activity.
3. Windscribe
More details about Windscribe:
- Pricing: Free plan, build-a-plan option
- Provider website: www.windscribe.com
Pros:
- Generous free plan
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Unique build-a-plan option
- Supports perfect forward secrecy
Cons:
- Inconsistent speeds
- Money-back guarantee limited to three days
- No servers in Nigeria
Windscribe is a great free VPN for Nigeria. With the free plan, you can connect to a server in 10 locations, including the U.S. or UK, which will be enough to bypass the social network ban and gain access to streaming services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer. Windscribe doesn’t have a server in Nigeria, though, which means you won’t be able to get a Nigerian IP address.
Windscribe utilizes AES-256 cipher to encrypt your traffic. It also has a no-logs policy and doesn’t collect or keep your session logs, IP timestamps, or monitor your online activity. Moreover, it uses encapsulated connections to add an extra layer of encryption for better security.
Supports Perfect Forward Secrecy
Like ExpressVPN, Windscribe supports perfect forward secrecy (PFS), which is a unique security technique where every VPN connection uses a different set of encryption keys. This ensures that if a government agency or hacker intercepts your information, they can’t decipher it. It comes in handy for Nigerian journalists or activists who want to share sensitive information.
Besides the generous free plan, you get an option to build your plan at $1 per location per month. Even better, there’s a Pro plan, which comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Read our Windscribe review to learn more.
Windscribe is hands down the best free VPN for Nigeria, offering 10 free server locations. Even better, it ticks the right boxes security-wise and allows you to connect to unlimited devices simultaneously. It’s not as fast as ExpressVPN, but it’s fast and secure enough for all online activity.
Check out our guide on how to use Windscribe VPN.
- : Per “Pro” server location
- : 10 GB
- : Unlimited
- :
- : Unlimited GB
- : Unlimited
- :
4. CyberGhost
More details about CyberGhost:
- Pricing: $2.25 per month on the three-year plan
- Provider website: www.cyberghostvpn.com
Pros:
- Affordable VPN
- Over 7,300 servers worldwide, including 11 servers in Nigeria
- Solid security & privacy
- P2P-friendly servers
Cons:
- Slow over long distances
- Can’t access all streaming services
Another great VPN for Nigeria is CyberGhost, thanks to its extensive global server coverage and affordability. You get over 7,300 servers in more than 90 countries to mask your IP and circumvent Nigerian government censorship. Better still, you can connect to one of the 11 servers in Lagos to get a Nigerian IP address to, for example, catch your favorite Yoruba movies on IrokoTV.
CyberGhost utilizes AES 256-bit encryption, and that, coupled with the kill switch and DNS leak protection, shields your connection from government and ISP monitoring. This is particularly important because Nigerian intelligence has surveillance tools that spy on the communication of protesters, journalists and opposition figures. Better still, it keeps no logs of your online activities to safeguard your anonymity.
NoSpy Servers
The “NoSpy” servers add an extra layer of protection against government surveillance. They’re physically located in Romania, where local data retention laws don’t enforce any form of activity logging or surveillance tactic. So when you connect to a “NoSpy” server, you get total digital anonymity and high-performance, too, thanks to their extended bandwidth.
CyberGhost is an affordable VPN that only costs $2.25 per month on the three-year plan. There’s a free trial (seven days on mobile and one day on desktop) if you want to get a firsthand feel for this service. Even better, it comes with a great money-back guarantee (45 days on extended plans and 14 days on the monthly plan). Read our CyberGhost review to learn more.
If you’re looking for a reliable yet pocket-friendly VPN for Nigeria, CyberGhost meets the criteria. Even though it didn’t make our most secure VPN list, it still comes packed with the security and privacy features you need to bypass censorship. It offers a kill switch, DNS leak protection, NoSpy servers and a strict zero-log policy to help you stay protected in Nigeria.
5. Hide.me
More details about Hide.me:
- Pricing: Free plan; Pro plan is $3 per month on the annual plan
- Provider website: www.hide.me
Pros:
- Top-tier free plan
- Extra control for advanced VPN users
- Advanced security features
Cons:
- Poor speeds with longer-distance servers
- No servers in Nigeria
Lastly, there’s Hide.me, a Malaysia-based VPN that has your security and privacy in mind. When it comes to server count, it has over 1,900 servers in 75 countries, but none are in Nigeria.
Hide.me has advanced security features, including excellent encryption and VPN protocols, plus a kill switch and DNS leak protection to thwart government and ISP attempts to monitor your traffic. Moreover, it follows a strict no-logs policy, so it would have no evidence to share if forced to by Nigerian authorities.
Multihop Double VPN
A special security feature of Hide.me is the multihop double VPN. As the name suggests, the feature allows you to send your traffic through two servers, making it even more difficult for Nigerian ISPs and authorities to track your digital footprints.
On a monthly rate, Hide.me is in the same echelon as ExpressVPN, but it’s cheaper on the extended plans. There’s a free plan with 10GB per month and five server locations, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with the VPN. Read our Hide.me review to learn more.
If you’re looking for a VPN that will offer options to customize online security and privacy, Hide.me ticks every box. It provides a comprehensive set of security features: kill switch, DNS leak protection, multihop double VPN and more. It’s easy to use for VPN beginners, and offers extra control for advanced users. It’s only downsides are that it has poor speeds with distant servers and no servers in Nigeria.
- : Five servers,
- : 10 GB
- : 1
Why You Should Use a VPN for Nigeria
Back in 2011, the Nigerian government was reportedly not enforcing any form of internet filtering. However, in 2014, the government imposed mobile network restrictions to control the Boko Haram insurgency. This marked the start of a pattern of repression and a downhill trend for online freedom.
The changing environment with politics has only fueled the encroachment on freedom of speech. The current regime has arrested and charged journalists, bloggers and political activists for their activities online. Also, the government has been contemplating ways to regulate social media use, following a string of unwelcome campaigns like #EndSARS.
Twitter’s removal of President Buhari’s tweet was the last straw that pushed the authority to ban the social media giant in June 2021. The ban comes as even the government continues its consideration of legislation such as the social media bill to regulate online freedom. As a result, the digital landscape in Nigeria is set to become increasingly less free space in the coming years.
For this reason, you need a VPN for Nigeria to regain internet freedom and protect yourself online. Especially if you’re a journalist, blogger or human rights activist, using a VPN will stop any attempt by ISPs and the government to monitor your online activities.
Final Thoughts
Nigeria is evolving into a highly restrictive nation where freedom of speech is waning. Cyberspace is no longer a free place, making a VPN essential to bypass internet censorship.
We recommend getting started with ExpressVPN because it delivers fast speeds across all locations, guarantees watertight online security and privacy, and unblocks all streaming platforms. In addition, you can get a firsthand feel for this service with the 30-day money-back guarantee that’s on offer.
Have we left out your favorite VPN for Nigeria? What do you think about the Twitter ban? We would love to hear about it in the comments section. As always, thanks for reading.
