The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced the temporary closure of the Embassy of the United States, Abuja for routine operations following security concerns linked to potential protests in Nigeria’s capital city.
In an official notice issued on Thursday, the mission stated that the embassy would suspend normal business activities and remain closed to the public until Monday, March 9, 2026, as a precautionary measure to safeguard staff, visitors, and American citizens.
According to the advisory, the decision was based on security intelligence indicating the likelihood of demonstrations taking place in Abuja in the coming days. Diplomatic officials noted that large gatherings and protests around sensitive areas could pose risks to embassy operations and public safety.
As part of the temporary shutdown, the embassy confirmed that all visa interviews and consular appointments scheduled for March 4 and March 5 in Abuja have been cancelled and will be rescheduled. Individuals who had appointments during the affected period are expected to receive notifications with new dates through the embassy’s official appointment system.
The closure also affects American Citizen Services appointments, including passport renewals and other routine consular services, which were originally scheduled during the affected days. Embassy officials indicated that these services would resume once normal operations restart next week.
Prior to the closure, the U.S. Mission had issued a security alert advising American citizens living in or visiting Abuja to remain vigilant due to the possibility of demonstrations. The notice urged citizens to avoid protest areas, monitor local news developments, and exercise caution when moving around the city.
The mission further advised Americans to keep a low profile in public spaces, avoid large crowds, and follow instructions from local security authorities if demonstrations occur.
Although routine services at the Abuja embassy have been temporarily suspended, the United States Consulate General Lagos continues to operate normally, meaning visa and consular services in Lagos remain available during the period of the Abuja shutdown.
Officials stressed that the closure is strictly precautionary and not an indication of any direct attack or confirmed threat against the diplomatic facility. The measure, they said, is part of standard security protocols aimed at protecting diplomatic personnel and visitors during periods of heightened tension.
The embassy is expected to resume full operations on Monday, March 9, provided the security situation in the Federal Capital Territory remains stable.
