The United States Embassy in Abuja has cancelled all visa appointments in Nigeria’s capital following growing security concerns and the withdrawal of non-essential personnel.
Newsonspot gathered that in an official notice released on Thursday, affected applicants were advised to monitor their emails for updates regarding rescheduled interview dates. The Embassy also confirmed that visa services would temporarily be handled at the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos.
While visa operations in Abuja have been suspended, the Embassy noted that American citizen services will continue, but strictly by appointment or in emergency situations.
This development comes shortly after the U.S. Department of State authorized the departure of non-emergency government staff and their families from Abuja. The decision, announced on April 8, 2026, was based on what officials described as a “deteriorating security situation” across Nigeria.
In its updated travel advisory, the Department of State urged American citizens to reconsider travelling to Nigeria due to risks such as crime, terrorism, kidnapping, civil unrest, and inconsistent healthcare access in some regions.
Nigeria has now been placed under a “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” advisory, while several states fall under the stricter “Level 4: Do Not Travel” category. States affected include Borno, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe, and parts of Adamawa, mainly due to terrorism and kidnapping threats.
Other states such as Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara were also flagged over increased risks of unrest, crime, and abductions.
The latest move highlights rising concerns among international missions about Nigeria’s security environment, even as authorities continue efforts to address ongoing threats across the country.
