US cancels visa appointments in Abuja after authorising staff departure over security concerns

The United States Embassy in Abuja has cancelled all visa appointments scheduled at its facility, directing applicants to check their emails for information regarding new dates.

In a notice issued on Thursday, the embassy said visa processing services in the capital had been suspended for the time being, but confirmed that visa operations would continue at the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos.

The embassy also noted that American Citizen Services remain available in Abuja, but only by appointment or in emergency situations.

The development followed a directive by the U.S. Department of State authorising the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members from the embassy in Abuja due to worsening security conditions in Nigeria.

In an updated travel advisory released earlier, the department warned American citizens to reconsider travelling to Nigeria, citing threats such as crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and civil unrest.

The advisory maintained Nigeria’s overall travel warning at Level 3: Reconsider Travel, while placing several states under the stricter Level 4: Do Not Travel category.

“On April 8, 2026, the Department of State authorised non-emergency U.S. government employees and U.S. government employee family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Abuja due to the deteriorating security situation,” the advisory stated.

It further cautioned that security risks remain high across several parts of the country.

“Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, and inconsistent availability of health care services. Some areas have increased risk,” the statement added.

States placed under the Level 4 ‘Do Not Travel’ category include Borno, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe, and northern Adamawa, where authorities cited terrorism, kidnapping, and widespread criminal activity as major threats.