US Embassy Shuts Visa Services in Abuja Amid Renewed Travel Advisory, Nigerian Govt Assures Public of Stability
The Nigerian government has strongly countered a recent US travel advisory, asserting the nation's safety for economic activities despite the US authorizing the departure of non-emergency embassy staff and suspending visa services in Abuja. While the US cited escalating insecurity and widespread threats, Nigeria maintains these are isolated challenges and highlights significant security improvements and economic reforms.
The United States Embassy in Abuja has suspended all visa appointments, instructing affected applicants to monitor their emails for information on rescheduled dates.
The announcement, made on Thursday via the embassy’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, stated that the Abuja mission would no longer process visa applications until further notice.
Applicants were advised to await direct communication regarding new appointment schedules.
“U.S. Embassy Abuja is closed for visa appointments. Applicants should check their email for details on rescheduled appointments,” the statement read.
Despite the disruption in the Federal Capital Territory, the embassy clarified that visa services remain operational at the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos.
The Nigerian government, under President Bola Tinubu, has vehemently asserted that Nigeria remains a safe haven for economic activities, business ventures, and daily life.
This declaration comes in after the US state department, in an updated travel advisory, authorised non-emergency government employees and government employee family members to leave its embassy in Abuja due to the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria.
In the travel advisory,Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, and Taraba states were added to the ‘Do not travel’ list “due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping”.
The Nigerian government has rejected the US travel warning, saying it is only based on internal US safety checks and does not reflect the real situation in the country.
Information Minister Mohammed Idris said there are some security issues in a few areas, but most of Nigeria is safe and normal life continues everywhere.
He added that security has improved in many regions because of stronger military action and better cooperation between security agencies, which has helped reduce crime and violence.
The government also said Nigeria is still open for business and investment, with ongoing reforms helping to attract foreign interest.
It urged other countries to be fair when judging Nigeria’s security situation and to get information directly from Nigerian authorities. It also insisted that Nigeria remains safe and welcoming.
On March 29, gunmen invaded the Gari Ya Waye area ofAngwan Rukuba, Jos North, killing more than 20 residents and injuring several others, and the attack coincided with the Christian celebration of Palm Sunday.
On Tuesday, gunmen reportedly killed at least 20 people in several communities in Niger state and scores in Kebbi.
Earlier, Nigeria played down the urgency of the travel advisory, saying the US decision was only a “routine precaution guided by internal protocols” which does not reflect the country’s situation.
These events underscore the differing perspectives on the scale and impact of insecurity between the US assessment and the Nigerian government's reassurances.