US Embassy Abuja Cancels Visa Appointments as Security Concerns Trigger Fresh Travel Advisory on Nigeria

The United States Embassy in Abuja has announced the cancellation of all visa appointments, advising applicants to monitor their emails for updates on rescheduled dates.

The notice was shared via the official X handle of the U.S. mission in Nigeria on Thursday.

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.”

PulseNets learnt that the development followed closely after the U.S. Department of State authorized the departure of non-emergency government personnel and their families from the Abuja Embassy, citing worsening security conditions across Nigeria.

An updated travel advisory, which quickly gained traction online, urged American citizens to reconsider travel to Nigeria over concerns linked to crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and civil unrest.

PulseNets reported that the country’s travel classification remains at “Level 3: Reconsider Travel,” with some regions elevated to the stricter “Level 4: Do Not Travel” category.

The advisory specifically warned U.S. citizens against travel to Borno, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe, and northern Adamawa States, citing heightened risks of terrorism, crime, and kidnapping.

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Additional states, including Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara, were also flagged over concerns relating to unrest, criminal activity, and abduction threats.

Responding to the development, the Federal Government of Nigeria described the U.S. travel advisory as “unbalanced” and called on international partners to ensure their security assessments reflect more accurate and current realities on ground.