Few hours after ordering its staff to leave Nigeria, the United States Mission in Nigeria has announced the suspension of visa appointments at its Embassy at the nation’scapital.
The mission disclosed this in a post shared on its official X handle on Thursday.
However, the Federal Government of Nigeria has described the recent travel advisory issued by the United States, which authorised the departure of non-emergency personnel from its embassy in Abuja, as a routine precaution that does not reflect Nigeria’s overall security situation.
The post on the Mission’s X handle stated, “U.S. Embassy Abuja is closed for visa appointments. Applicants should check their email for details on rescheduled appointments.”
The mission, however, clarified that visa operations at the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos remain ongoing.
“Visa operations at U.S. Consulate General Lagos continue,” it added.
It also noted that American citizen services are still available in cases of emergency and by appointment.
“American citizen services are available in emergencies and by appointment,” the statement read.
The development comes amid a broader security advisory issued by the United States, which authorised the departure of non-emergency staff from its Abuja embassy and expanded its Nigeria travel blacklist to 23 states.
The State Department issued the authorised departure order on Tuesday, alongside an updated travel advisory that added Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger and Taraba to its highest warning category, “Do Not Travel.”
While the overall advisory rating for Nigeria remains at Level 3, “Reconsider Travel,” the department warned that some areas face increased risks due to crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping and limited healthcare availability.
According to the advisory, Americans are often targeted for kidnapping and robbery, while terrorist attacks continue to pose a threat across multiple locations, including markets, religious centres, hotels and public gatherings.
It also raised concerns about the state of emergency healthcare in the country, noting that hospitals often require immediate cash payments, ambulance services are unreliable and poorly equipped, and blood supply systems are inconsistent.
Medical facilities in Nigeria, the advisory said, generally do not meet United States or European standards, adding that evacuation may be necessary in medical emergencies.
The advisory further urged US citizens in Nigeria to enrol in the Smart Traveller Enrollment Programme, avoid large gatherings, vary their routines and maintain evacuation plans that do not depend on US government assistance.
It also recommended that individuals establish “proof of life” protocols with family members in the event of kidnapping.
The blacklist is divided into regional clusters. Borno, Kogi, Yobe and northern Adamawa remain under the terrorism, crime and kidnapping category, with the State Department warning that terrorist groups continue to plan and carry out attacks, sometimes in collaboration with local gangs.
For Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara, the advisory points to widespread banditry, communal clashes and kidnapping, while noting that security operations may occur without warning.
In the South-East and Niger Delta, states including Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo and Rivers (excluding Port Harcourt) are flagged for crime, kidnapping and civil unrest, with armed gangs and violent protests posing significant risks.
The latest update added Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger and Taraba to the “Do Not Travel” list, citing the spread of insecurity into new regions, particularly in the Middle Belt where farmer-herder conflicts have intensified.
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The advisory described the security situation in these newly added states as unstable and unpredictable, with counter-operations by security forces likely to occur without prior notice.
Despite the closure of visa services in Abuja, operations remain ongoing at the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos, providing a limited window for consular services amid the heightened security alerts.
US Advisory A Routine Precaution, Not Reflection Of Nigeria’s Security Situation — FG
The Federal Government has described the recent travel advisory issued by the United States, which authorised the departure of non-emergency personnel from its embassy in Abuja, as a routine precaution that does not reflect Nigeria’s overall security situation.
The government reassured citizens and international partners that public institutions across the country remain fully operational.
In a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and signed by Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant (Media) to the minister, Mohammed Idris, the ministry said that there had been no disruption to governance, economic activities, or daily life, despite the advisory.
“The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the U.S. decision as a routine precaution guided by internal protocols, noting that it does not reflect the overall security situation across Nigeria,” the statement partly read.:
The minister explained that the US decision was guided by its internal protocols and should not be interpreted as an indication of a general breakdown of law and order in Nigeria.
“While we acknowledge isolated security challenges in some areas, there is no general breakdown of law and order, and the vast majority of the country remains stable,” he was quoted as saying.
He added that recent efforts had led to the disruption of criminal networks, reduced the activities of armed groups, and improved safety in vulnerable communities.
“Our security agencies remain actively engaged in protecting lives and property, and the results of these efforts are increasingly evident,” the minister added.
The government also reiterated that Nigeria remains open to business, travel, and investment, stressing that ongoing economic reforms continue to boost investor confidence and strengthen the country’s global standing.
Idris added that international partners and investors are maintaining active engagement with Nigeria, which reflects confidence in its stability and long-term prospects.
While acknowledging the right of countries to issue travel advisories based on their own assessments, the Federal Government called for balanced and up-to-date reporting.
“We encourage our international partners to continuously engage with Nigerian authorities to obtain a more comprehensive and current understanding of the situation on the ground,” he said.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to improving security, protecting citizens and visitors, and maintaining Nigeria as a safe and welcoming destination.
Advisory
The United States, in its advisory issued on Wednesday, cited worsening security concerns as the basis for authorising the departure of non-essential embassy staff and their families from Abuja.
The advisory warned of risks including crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and civil unrest.
It maintained Nigeria at Level 3 (“reconsider travel”), while placing some regions under Level 4 (“do not travel”).
It also highlighted concerns over widespread violent crime, frequent kidnappings for ransom, and threats posed by groups such as Boko Haram, alongside unrest in parts of the Niger Delta and the South-East.
Additionally, the advisory pointed to challenges in accessing healthcare services and the limited capacity for US government assistance in high-risk areas.
The latest move follows earlier visa restrictions imposed by the United States on certain categories of Nigerian travellers in 2025, citing security concerns and immigration-related data.
