Manny Ita –
The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced that its offices at the U.S. Embassy Abuja and the U.S. Consulate General Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, in observance of the U.S. federal holiday, Presidents’ Day.
In a public notice issued to citizens and visa applicants, the mission stated that all routine consular services, including visa interviews, passport processing, and notarial services, will be suspended for the day. “The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the statement said, adding that normal operations would resume on the next business day.
Presidents’ Day, officially known as Washington’s Birthday, is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on the third Monday of February to honor past American presidents. As with other U.S. federal holidays, American diplomatic missions worldwide suspend routine public services on that date.
Officials clarified that emergency assistance for U.S. citizens in Nigeria will remain available despite the closure. “Emergency services for U.S. citizens will continue to be provided,” the mission noted, advising those in urgent need of help to contact the embassy through designated emergency channels.
The announcement is expected to affect hundreds of Nigerian visa applicants who typically attend scheduled interviews in Abuja and Lagos on weekdays, as well as individuals seeking document authentication and other consular services. Applicants with appointments falling on the holiday are usually required to reschedule through the official visa portal.
The U.S. Mission also urged travelers and applicants to plan accordingly to avoid disruptions, emphasizing that regular services would resume promptly after the holiday. The temporary shutdown mirrors standard practice by foreign missions observing their national holidays while operating abroad.
