Abuja embassy and Lagos consulate suspend public services Dec 24–26, reopening Dec 29, as Nigeria and the U.S. observe the Christmas holidays period abroad.
United States has temporarily closed its diplomatic missions in Nigeria as part of scheduled Christmas holiday observances, suspending public-facing operations at both the U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos.
In a notice to the public, U.S. officials said the two facilities halted routine services from Wednesday, December 24, 2025, through Friday, December 26, 2025. The closure affects consular and administrative services, including visa appointments and other in-person engagements.
Normal operations are expected to resume on Monday, December 29, 2025, according to the advisory. Emergency services for U.S. citizens remain available through established protocols during the holiday period, the embassy said.
The temporary shutdown aligns with Christmas celebrations observed in both the United States and Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation. Nigerian authorities have also declared public holidays to mark the festive season, contributing to a broader slowdown in government and commercial activity nationwide.
Nigeria’s Federal Government earlier announced December 25 and December 26, 2025, as public holidays for Christmas Day and Boxing Day. January 1, 2026, has also been designated a public holiday to mark the New Year.
Read Also: Trump Recalls U.S. Ambassador To Nigeria In
The announcement was made by Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of the Federal Government. He urged citizens to use the festive period responsibly while promoting peace, unity, and national cohesion.
U.S. diplomatic missions worldwide typically observe a combination of American federal holidays and host-country public holidays. The closures are standard practice and are announced in advance to allow travelers, visa applicants, and business partners to plan accordingly.
Nigeria hosts one of the United States’ largest diplomatic footprints in Africa, reflecting close ties between the two countries in areas including security cooperation, trade, public health, and education. Thousands of Nigerians interact with U.S. consular services each month, particularly for nonimmigrant and immigrant visa processing.
The embassy advised members of the public to adjust travel plans and official business to account for the holiday schedule and to check official U.S. mission channels for updates before visiting either location.
As the year-end holidays approach, authorities in Nigeria and abroad have encouraged residents to remain mindful of security advisories and local regulations during celebrations. Regular embassy services are expected to continue as normal once operations resume at the end of the holiday break.