Background: Dental anxiety and fear are significant barriers to oral healthcare, contributing to treatment avoidance and poorer oral health outcomes. In Nigeria, the burden remains poorly characterized. This study aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of dental fear and anxiety (DFA) in Nigerian populations and identify associated risk factors.Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was registered in PROSPERO: (CRD420261373453). A search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, and African Journals Online from inception to March 2026. We included cross-sectional, cohort, or case-control studies conducted in Nigerian populations of any age that reported prevalence estimates of DFA using validated instruments. Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed the risk of bias using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklists. The primary outcome was the pooled prevalence of dental anxiety, calculated using random-effects meta-analysis with the Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation. Heterogeneity was assessed using I² statistics. Findings: Of 237 records identified, 30 studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 7920 participants. The pooled prevalence of dental anxiety was 74% (95% CI: 44–92%; I²=97%). Severe to extreme dental anxiety prevalence was 17% (95% CI: 11–25%). The pooled mean dental anxiety score was 11·88 (95% CI: 10·62–13·15). Females had significantly higher anxiety scores than males (mean difference 1·31, p=0·0003), and participants under 30 years had higher scores than older adults (mean difference 1·64, p=0·0002). Education level showed no significant association. Most studies (86·7%) had a moderate risk of bias; no publication bias was detected.Interpretation: Dental anxiety affects approximately three-quarters of the Nigerian population, with a higher burden among females and younger adults. These findings highlight the need for routine anxiety screening and integration of behavioural management into Nigerian dental practice.