U.S. Embassy Cancels Visa Appointments Amid Security Concerns

The U.S. Embassy in Abuja announced the cancellation of visa appointments due to escalating security concerns across Nigeria.

This decision, confirmed on Thursday, affects hundreds of applicants who are now advised to await further instructions regarding rescheduling. The embassy stated that visa interviews in Abuja are suspended, while the U.S.

Consul General in Lagos continues to provide services for American citizens, including emergency appointments. The cancellation follows a recent update from the U.S.

Department of State, which has raised travel advisories for Nigeria, urging American citizens to reconsider travel due to persistent threats such as crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and civil unrest. Nigeria is classified at Level 3 for travel reconsideration, with several states, including Borno, Jigawa, and Kaduna, receiving stricter Level 4 warnings.

The Nigerian government has pushed back against these assessments, claiming they do not accurately reflect ongoing efforts to address security issues. Despite the situation, consular services in Lagos remain unaffected.