The United States Mission has abruptly shut down its embassy for routine business over fears of looming protests in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
In a notice posted on its official X handle on Thursday, the Mission announced a temporary closure that will last until Monday, March 9, 2026.
The statement read, “Due to the potential for protests in Abuja, the U.S. Embassy will be closed for routine business until Monday, March 9, 2026.
“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.”
“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 advised.
The sudden shutdown left visa applicants scrambling, as those who failed to receive new dates were instructed to seek help through the Visa Navigator platform.
The embassy also urged the public to keep tabs on its website and social media platforms for updates.
The closure follows earlier cancellations of visa interviews amid rising security concerns linked to planned demonstrations in Abuja, reportedly tied to tensions surrounding the ongoing Middle East crisis.
Heavy security deployment was observed across parts of the capital after intelligence suggested a possible protest by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria.
Similar demonstrations had already been reported in Niger, Sokoto, Kaduna, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, and Lagos states.
The group reportedly described its actions as a peaceful expression of solidarity with Iran following reports of the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in airstrikes allegedly carried out by the U.S. and Israel.
For now, the embassy gates remain shut, visa hopefuls remain on edge, and Abuja watches closely as authorities brace for what may happen.
