How To Get A Nigerian IP Address in 2020

If you’re a Nigerian living abroad or traveling out of the country and you want to catch up on the last Yoruba flick you watched on IrokoTV, you may get frustrated trying to access the content because of geoblocks. You need to get a Nigerian IP address to view such restricted content, and we’re going to show you how to get one. 

When you connect to the internet, you’ll get an IP address that looks like some random numbers but they actually reveal your relative location in the world to the websites and online services you visit. Based on your IP address, some websites may be blocked, including government websites and banks. 

Streaming services, such as IrokoTV and Netflix, have different libraries licensed to specific regions, which you can read about in our guide on the Netflix VPN ban. None of these content libraries are available outside Nigeria so you need to spoof your location by changing your IP address to view the content you’re used to.

In this guide on how to get a Nigerian IP address, we’ll explain why virtual private networks are so important and recommend some of our top picks, all of which come from our best VPN list.

How to Get a Nigerian IP Address

The easiest method to get a Nigerian IP address is via a proxy, but they’re unreliable and don’t include security features, so your true IP address will be exposed and could be traced back to you. Plus, you’ll leave yourself open to cybercrime. Still, you can find a few options in our best free proxy guide if you want to go this route.

That said, there’s a better, safer and simpler method of changing your IP address, which is using a VPN. A VPN will protect your privacy and mask your IP address to keep you anonymous, unlike a proxy, which will leave you vulnerable to online threats. Read our VPN vs. proxy vs. Tor article for more information.

Using a VPN is the most reliable method of accessing blocked content, protecting your identity, securing your WiFi connection for safer surfing and saving money on phone charges when using it on your mobile device. Our best VPN reviews feature excellent providers, but you’ll need to pick one that’s good for Nigeria. 

Ivacy

Ivacy comes with a low price tag and an excellent range of specialty servers. Despite a few issues, such as inconsistent speeds, it’s a great service that has a robust feature set, including a kill switch and AES 256-bit encryption, and it gets into Netflix and DSTv. 

The VPN has more than 1,000 servers in over 100 locations worldwide. Most are in the U.S., but there’s a decent range of countries, including Nigeria. It has a clear dedication to user privacy and if you want to tunnel cheaply, it’s among the best options on the market. You can read more about it in our Ivacy review.

Its customer service is great in terms of ease of access and quality because you can get most support features from the Android or iOS app, including a ticket request, brief FAQ, robust knowledgebase, plenty of contact options, feedback submission and speedy response times.

That said, Ivacy isn’t without flaws. Its speeds are inconsistent, the interface is strange, and you have to disconnect to change servers. If you’re concerned about those areas, you may fare better with the other options in this review.

HideMyAss

HideMyAss will get you a Nigerian IP address. It has a massive server network spanning 190 countries, including two servers in Nigeria, good security and a privacy policy, but it keeps logs on connection and disconnection for 30 days. Its speeds are adequate and there’s unlimited bandwidth. Plus, you can access most streaming services.

You can use HideMyAss on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. It has straightforward clients that allow you to connect up to five devices simultaneously. A seven-day trial is also available so you can test it to see if you like it, and a 30-day money-back guarantee is on offer in case you’re still undecided. Read our HideMyAss review for more information on the service.

PureVPN

PureVPN wouldn’t make this list if it wasn’t for having 12 servers in Nigeria. If your activities aren’t sensitive, it could be a fair choice for you, but for any other purpose, stick with our other picks.

Its security is okay, but you need to set encryption to 256-bit. It also has a kill switch and privacy policy, but the latter is quite inconsistent because it contradicts itself on keeping logs, as you can read in our PureVPN review. The server network is good, which translates to decent speeds, and the service doesn’t impose bandwidth caps. 

PureVPN has clients for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, but you may not like its tile style. Email and live chat support are available 24/7, which is okay, but it leaves a lot to be desired. The VPN is also cheaper than most providers and offers a 31-day money-back guarantee, but price shouldn’t be the deciding factor.

Dangers of Using a Nigerian IP Address

Internet censorship is an issue in Nigeria. There’s a trend in which African countries are focusing on controlling their citizens’ internet activities. That said, you’ll also encounter geo-restricted websites, which is often the case with streaming services, but the best VPNs can unblock them. 

Though Nigeria’s constitution provides for the protection of freedom of speech and the press, the government restricts or interferes with those rights. It has been known to arrest bloggers and journalists, charging them with “cyberstalking.” Militant groups in the country have also threatened journalists and media outlets, sometimes killing members of the press.

The government also cracks down on online dissent, especially during national elections, as happened in March 2018 when the Senate proposed a hate speech bill that would prove limiting to freedom of speech in the country. Nigeria is also one of the most cyberattack and scam-prone countries on the continent.

Using a Nigerian IP address subjects you to the same potential for monitoring, but if you’re using a VPN from this list, you should be fine.

Final Thoughts

We hope we’ve helped you understand how to get a Nigerian IP address safely. The best way to ensure you’re protected while doing so is to use a VPN. 

All the providers we’ve recommended in this review will get you what you need. Ivacy is our top choice as it offers privacy and greater security. Plus, it unblocks restricted content including streaming services. 

We’re happy to hear your suggestions on how to get an IP address in Nigeria. Tell us in the comments section below. Thanks for reading.