By Ayo Kehinde
The United States Embassy in Abuja has temporarily suspended all visa appointments following heightened security concerns flagged by the U.S. Department of State.
Applicants affected by the suspension are urged to check their email for instructions on rescheduled appointments and additional guidance.
Despite the suspension in Abuja, visa operations at the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos continue as normal, and applicants with scheduled appointments there are advised to proceed while following standard procedures. Additionally, American citizen services remain available in Abuja for emergencies and urgent matters, accessible by appointment.
Embassy officials emphasized that these operational adjustments do not affect all consular functions, but reflect a proactive approach to security in response to the escalating risks in several Nigerian states. Travelers and visa applicants are advised to remain vigilant, monitor official communications, and plan accordingly.
Earlier reports show that the Department of State has identified 23 Nigerian states as high-risk, citing persistent threats including terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime, and civil unrest.
In a travel advisory issued on Wednesday, the U.S. government urged its citizens to reconsider travel to Nigeria, with certain areas now classified under the most severe “Level 4: Do Not Travel” category.
According to the advisory, “On April 8, 2026, the Department of State authorised non-emergency U.S. government employees and U.S. government employee family members to leave U.S. Embassy Abuja due to the deteriorating security situation.”
