The United States Embassy in Abuja has announced the suspension of all visa appointments, directing affected applicants to monitor their emails for updates on new dates.
The notice, posted on the official X handle of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria on Thursday, stated: “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.”
GWG.ng, however, reports that visa appointments in Lagos will continue at the consulate. 
The development comes just hours after the United States Department of State authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and their families from the Abuja Embassy, citing a worsening security environment across Nigeria.
In a revised travel advisory that quickly stirred reactions online, the department urged U.S. citizens to reconsider travel to Nigeria over concerns related to crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and civil unrest.
Nigeria is currently designated under a “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” advisory, while some states have been placed under the stricter “Level 4: Do Not Travel” category.
The advisory specifically cautioned against travel to Borno, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe, and northern Adamawa States due to heightened risks of terrorism, crime, and kidnapping.
It also flagged Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States as areas of concern over unrest, criminal activity, and abductions.
Reacting to the development, the Federal Government described the U.S. advisory as “unbalanced,” urging international partners to provide more accurate and current assessments of Nigeria’s security situation.
