U.S. Embassy Cancels Visa Appointments in Abuja Over Security Concerns

The United States Embassy in Abuja has cancelled all visa appointments, advising affected applicants to check their emails for information on rescheduled dates.

In a notice issued on Thursday, the Embassy clarified that visa operations will, however, continue at the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos. It added that American citizen services remain available either by appointment or in emergency situations.

The development follows the decision by the U.S. Department of State to authorise the departure of non-emergency government personnel and their families from the Embassy in Abuja, citing a deteriorating security situation across Nigeria. 

In an updated travel advisory, the Department urged American citizens to reconsider travel to Nigeria due to concerns over crime, terrorism, kidnapping, civil unrest, and the inconsistent availability of healthcare services. The country was placed under a “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” advisory, while some states were classified under the stricter “Level 4: Do Not Travel” category.

According to the advisory, states in the North-East and parts of the North-Central and North-West regions—including Borno, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe, and northern Adamawa—were listed as high-risk areas due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping.

Other states such as Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara were also flagged, with the Department citing unrest, crime, and kidnapping as major concerns.

The Embassy urged U.S. citizens in Nigeria to remain vigilant and adhere strictly to security guidance as the situation evolves.