- US Suspends Visa Appointments at Abuja Embassy
- Lagos consulate continues normal visa and consular services
- US issues updated travel advisory citing security concerns in Nigeria
The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced the suspension of visa appointments at its embassy in Abuja.
The announcement was made on Thursday via a post on the mission’s official 𝕏 account. However, the mission did not provide details on the reason for the suspension or how long it will last.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that applicants have been advised to monitor their email accounts for updates regarding rescheduled appointments.
“U.S. Embassy Abuja is closed for visa appointments. Applicants should check their email for details on rescheduled appointments,” the statement read.
Despite the suspension in Abuja, the mission confirmed that visa services at the U.S. Consulate General Lagos remain fully operational.
“Visa operations at U.S. Consulate General Lagos continue,” it added.
The mission also stated that services for American citizens are still available in emergencies and by appointment.
“American citizen services are available in emergencies and by appointment,” the statement noted.
The development comes amid heightened security concerns following a recent advisory from the U.S. Department of State, which authorised non-emergency personnel and their family members to leave the embassy in Abuja.
The advisory, issued on Wednesday, cited a deteriorating security environment in Nigeria, including rising cases of crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and civil unrest.
It further advised Americans to reconsider travel to Nigeria, classifying the country under a “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” warning.
The advisory also placed several Nigerian states, including Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, and Taraba, under a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” designation, bringing the total number of high-risk states to 23.
