The United States has temporarily closed its embassy in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, citing security concerns over potential protests by Shia Muslims following the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
“Due to the potential for protests in Abuja, the U.S. Embassy will be closed for routine business until Monday, March 9, 2026,” the embassy said in a statement on Thursday. “Visa appointments originally scheduled for March 4 and 5, as well as American Citizen Services appointments scheduled for March 5, have been rescheduled to next week.”
The mission advised affected applicants to check their email or AVITs account for new appointment dates, adding: “If you do not see a new appointment, visa applicants should contact us through our Visa Navigator for assistance. Continue to monitor our website and social media channels for further updates.”
Earlier, on Tuesday, the embassy had cancelled all visa appointments for March 4 and issued an urgent security alert for U.S. citizens in Abuja. The alert warned that protests by Shia Muslims, angered by Khamenei’s death and attributing blame to U.S. and Israeli forces, could escalate into violence.
“American citizens should remain indoors, avoid crowded areas, and monitor local media for updates,” the embassy stated. “Familiarise yourselves with emergency exits and vary travel routes and times to reduce predictability.”
The embassy closure comes as demonstrations spread across northern Nigeria, including Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, Niger, Katsina, and Abuja. Minority Shia Muslims have taken to the streets carrying portraits of Khamenei, mourning his death, and chanting against U.S. and Israeli involvement.
The U.S. mission emphasized that the suspension of routine services is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of its personnel and citizens amid the heightened tensions in the capital.
