ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced the temporary closure of its embassy in Abuja for routine operations, citing the possibility of protests in the nation’s capital.
In a notice posted on its official account on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, the Mission said the embassy would remain closed for regular business 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.”
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The Mission further advised, “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.”
It also urged visa applicants who do not receive a new appointment date to seek assistance through the Visa Navigator platform and encouraged the public to follow updates on its official website and social media channels.
The development follows earlier cancellations of visa appointments scheduled for March 4 due to security concerns over planned demonstrations in Abuja linked to the ongoing tensions involving Iran.
The closure also follows a heavy deployment of security personnel across Abuja on Wednesday over a possible protest by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria after similar demonstrations were reported in Niger State, Sokoto State, Kaduna State, Yobe State, Bauchi State, Gombe State and Lagos State.
The IMN reportedly described the demonstrations as a peaceful show of solidarity with Iran following the reported death of the country’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in airstrikes allegedly carried out by the United States and Israel.