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Airgun law · World
Are Airguns Legal in Nigeria?
Mostly no, or only under severe restrictions.
Treated at or near firearm level, with an effective ban or major criminal-law exposure for ordinary ownership. Watch the restricted access rule in particular.
Tier 1: Severely Restricted
Effective civilian ban or extreme criminal penalties for unlicensed possession.
NG
The picture at a glance
Each measure below scores how restrictive Nigeria is on that part of owning or transferring an airgun, from permissive (green) to firearm-level (red).
ClassificationTreated as firearm
Age ruleUnclear
PossessionRestricted access
Transfer / salePersonal import blocked
TransportSeverely restricted
AuthorityNational statute
Before you buy or sell
- Minimum 10-year imprisonment for illegal possession.
The rules in detail
Classification
Treated as firearm
Firearms Act (Cap. F28 LFN 2004): air-rifles and air-pistols are listed as "personal firearms" (Schedule Part II, item 3) and need an Inspector-General of Police licence (s.4). Firearms Regulations reg. 51 exempts only smooth-bored pellet air guns with a barrel over nine inches; rifled air rifles and all air pistols remain licensable firearms.
Age rule
Unclear
No licence may be granted to anyone under 17 (Firearms Act s.7(2)(a)). Licences are discretionary and can be refused without reasons (s.7(1)).
Possession
Restricted access
Firearm revolvers and pistols are "prohibited firearms" (Schedule Part I) needing a presidential licence (s.3). Air rifles, air pistols, shotguns and sporting rifles are "personal firearms" licensable by the Inspector-General of Police (s.4). Licences are discretionary.
Transfer / sale
Personal import blocked
State-controlled.
Transport
Severely restricted
Severely restricted.
Authority
National statute
National statute.
Hunting with an airgun
Unresolved / licence-dependent.
Deer
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Turkey
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Small game
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Predators
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Other big game
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Import & travel
Local & import notes
Visitor procedure
Minimum 10-year imprisonment for illegal possession under the Robbery and Firearms Act.
Keep exploring
This is a plain-language summary compiled from primary statutes and official guidance. It isn't legal advice. Laws change and local rules vary, so verify the current rules with the relevant authority before buying, selling, or hunting.