The United States Embassy in Abuja has canceled all visa appointments and authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel following a “Level 3” travel advisory citing a deteriorating security situation across Nigeria.
The United States Embassy in Abuja announced the immediate cancellation of all visa appointments on Thursday, April 9, 2026, directing affected applicants to monitor their emails for rescheduling details. The notice, shared via the U.S. mission’s official X handle, clarified that while the Abuja facility is closed for routine visa processing, operations at the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos remain active. “U.S. Embassy Abuja is closed for visa appointments. Applicants should check their email for details on rescheduled appointments,” the statement read, adding that “American citizen services are available in emergencies and by appointment.”
The suspension of services follows a significant escalation in Washington’s security assessment of Nigeria, with the U.S. Department of State authorizing the voluntary departure of non-emergency government employees and their families from the capital. An updated travel advisory has classified Nigeria as “Level 3: Reconsider Travel,” citing pervasive threats of crime, terrorism, and civil unrest. The advisory specifically labeled nine states, including Borno, Niger, and Plateau, as “Level 4: Do Not Travel” zones. Addressing the heightened risks, the State Department warned of a “deteriorating security situation,” marking several northern and central states as high-risk areas for kidnapping and terrorist activity.
In a swift rebuttal, the Federal Government of Nigeria criticized the U.S. advisory, describing the assessment as “unbalanced” and potentially detrimental to the country’s international image. Government spokespersons urged international partners to provide more accurate and up-to-date assessments, insisting that security agencies are making progress in stabilizing troubled regions. Despite these assurances, the U.S. mission has maintained its cautious stance, highlighting Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, and Kano among the states with elevated risks of unrest. As of Thursday evening, the embassy has not provided a definitive timeline for when regular visa operations in Abuja will resume.
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