The United States Embassy in Nigeria has announced the suspension of visa appointment services at its Abuja office.
In a notice issued on Thursday, the embassy advised applicants to monitor their emails for updates regarding rescheduled interview dates. However, it did not provide a timeline for when normal visa operations would resume in the capital.
Despite the development, the embassy confirmed that visa services at the US Consulate General Lagos will continue as scheduled, while emergency services for American citizens remain available in Abuja strictly by appointment.
The suspension follows a recent advisory by the United States Department of State, which authorised the departure of non-essential staff and their families from its Abuja mission due to rising security concerns.
In the updated travel guidance, several states—including Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, and Taraba—were added to the “Do not travel” category “due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping”.
The decision comes in the wake of recent violent incidents across parts of the country. On March 29, gunmen attacked communities in Jos North, killing more than 20 people, while similar attacks were reported in Niger and Kebbi states earlier this week.
However, the Federal Government has downplayed the urgency of the advisory. The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, described the move as a routine measure rather than an indication of a worsening situation.
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According to him, the US decision was only a “routine precaution guided by internal protocols” and does not accurately reflect the overall security reality in Nigeria.
He further urged foreign partners to ensure fairness in their assessments, calling for “balanced and up-to-date reporting that reflects the progress being made” in addressing security challenges.