The United States Department of State has authorised non-emergency US government employees and their family members to leave the US Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria.
The authorisation was issued on 8 April 2026 because of the deteriorating security situation in the country.
In a travel advisory update posted on the embassy’s website, officials confirmed that the move was voluntary. The embassy in Abuja will remain open, although its ability to provide emergency consular services to American citizens will be limited. The US Consulate General in Lagos will continue to offer routine and emergency services across Nigeria.
The Department of State’s overall travel advisory for Nigeria remains at Level 3, which advises citizens to “reconsider travel” because of risks including crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed gangs and limited healthcare availability.
No specific new threat was detailed in the announcement, but the decision reflects growing concern over the broader security environment in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory and beyond.
The embassy has urged American citizens in Abuja to consider departing if they do not have essential reasons to remain and to monitor its website for further updates.
This is the latest in a series of security alerts issued by the US mission in Nigeria, which has previously warned of risks from insurgencies, banditry and other threats in various regions of the country.
The State Department said it would reassess the authorised departure status regularly in consultation with embassy officials.
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