The United States Embassy Abuja has suspended all visa appointment services, directing applicants to monitor their email inboxes for information on rescheduled dates.
The announcement was made on Thursday through the official X account of the U.S. mission in Nigeria, informing the public of the temporary disruption.
The statement reads: “U.S. Embassy Abuja is closed for visa appointments. Applicants should check their email for details on rescheduled appointments.
“Visa operations at U.S. Consulate General Lagos continue. American citizen services are available in emergencies and by appointment.”
This development comes shortly after the United States Department of State authorized the departure of non-essential government staff and their families from the Abuja embassy, citing a deteriorating security environment.
In a revised travel advisory that has generated widespread reactions, the Department urged American citizens to reconsider travel to Nigeria due to concerns including crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and civil unrest.
Nigeria was placed under a “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” advisory, while several states were categorized under “Level 4: Do Not Travel,” indicating a higher level of risk.
The advisory specifically cautioned against travel to states such as Borno, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe, and parts of Adamawa in the North, citing threats related to terrorism and kidnapping.
Additional states including Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara were also flagged due to security concerns involving unrest, crime, and abduction risks.
Reacting to the advisory, the Nigerian government described the U.S. position as “unbalanced,” urging international partners to adopt more accurate and up-to-date assessments of the country’s security situation.
The situation highlights ongoing concerns about security in parts of Nigeria and its implications for international relations and mobility.
