US embassy suspends visa appointments in Abuja over security concerns

The United States Embassy in Abuja has suspended all scheduled visa appointments amid rising security concerns in Nigeria’s capital.

Affected applicants have been advised to monitor their emails for updates on new appointment dates, while visa services remain operational at the United States Consulate General in Lagos.

In a notice issued on Thursday, the embassy confirmed that services for American citizens are still available but limited to appointments and emergency situations.

This development follows a recent decision by the U.S. Department of State to authorise the departure of nonessential government personnel and their families from Abuja, citing a worsening security environment.

An updated travel advisory now urges U.S. citizens to reconsider travelling to Nigeria due to concerns over crime, terrorism, kidnapping, civil unrest, and inconsistent healthcare access.

Nigeria is currently under a Level 3 advisory, while some states fall under Level 4, which means “Do Not Travel.”

The advisory specifically highlighted states such as Borno, Yobe, Taraba, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Zamfara as high-risk areas due to ongoing security challenges.

The move has raised fresh concerns among travellers and visa applicants, as uncertainty grows over security conditions and diplomatic operations in the country.