📰 What Happened
- Closure Dates: Both the U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos are closed between December 23–26, 2025.
- Reason: The closure is for the Christmas holiday season, not due to security concerns.
- Resumption: Services will restart on December 29, 2025.
- Announcement: The U.S. Mission in Nigeria made the announcement via its official social media accounts.
⚖️ Context
- This is a routine holiday closure, similar to what embassies and consulates worldwide do during major holidays.
- It coincides with broader U.S. immigration policy changes announced by President Donald Trump’s administration, including a visa issuance suspension for Nigeria and 18 other countries starting January 1, 2026.
- Nigerians seeking consular services (visas, passports, etc.) will need to wait until after the holiday period.
📊 Key Details
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Locations Closed | U.S. Embassy (Abuja), Consulate General (Lagos) |
| Closure Dates | Dec 23–26, 2025 |
| Reopening | Dec 29, 2025 |
| Reason | Christmas holiday |
| Related Policy | U.S. visa issuance suspension begins Jan 1, 2026 |
🚨 Implications
- For Nigerians: Temporary disruption in visa and consular services until Dec 29.
- For Travelers: Those with urgent travel plans may face delays.
- For Diplomacy: The closure itself is routine, but the upcoming visa restrictions could significantly affect U.S.–Nigeria relations.
References
- GistReel. (2025, December 23). US embassy announces closure of Abuja branch, Lagos consulate general. GistReel. https://www.gistreel.com/us-embassy-announces-closure-of-abuja-branch-lagos-consulate-general/
- Legit.ng. (2025, December 23). Breaking: US closes Abuja embassy, Lagos consulate, gives reason. Legit.ng. https://www.legit.ng/nigeria/1689498-breaking-closes-abuja-embassy-lagos-consulate-reason/
- Daily Post. (2025, December 22). US embassy to suspend issuing visas in Nigeria, 18 other countries from January 1. Daily Post Nigeria. https://dailypost.ng/2025/12/22/us-embassy-to-suspend-issuing-visas-in-nigeria-18-other-countries-from-january-1/
