The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced the temporary closure of its embassy in the capital, Abuja, following concerns over potential civil unrest.
The embassy will remain closed for routine business until Monday, 9 March 2026. The decision comes as security forces maintain a heavy presence across the city to deter demonstrations linked to recent geopolitical tensions.
Rescheduled Appointments
The closure has caused immediate disruption to consular services. In a statement released via its official X account on Thursday, the Mission confirmed that several days of appointments have been postponed.
“Due to the potential for protests in Abuja, the U.S. Embassy will be closed for routine business until Monday, March 9, 2026,” the statement read.
“Visa appointments originally scheduled for March 4 and 5, as well as American Citizen Services (ACS) appointments scheduled for March 5, have been rescheduled to next week.”
Applicants have been advised to monitor their digital accounts for updates. “Visa applicants: Please check your email or AVITs account for your new appointment date. ACS applicants: Please check your email for your new appointment date,” the Mission added.
Regional Tensions
The security situation in Abuja follows a wave of activity by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN).
Similar protests have already been recorded across several states, including: Lagos, Kaduna, Sokoto, Bauchi and Niger.
The IMN has defended these gatherings as a peaceful expression of solidarity with Iran. The movement is responding to the reported death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was allegedly killed in airstrikes attributed to US and Israeli forces.
While the IMN maintains its actions are peaceful, the heavy deployment of security agencies across Abuja on Wednesday suggests a high state of alert among Nigerian authorities.
Advice for Travellers and Applicants
The US Mission has urged those who have not received a new appointment date to seek assistance through the Visa Navigator platform. It further advised the public to remain vigilant and monitor the embassy’s official website and social media channels for further developments.
