US Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria Resume Full Operations
The US Embassy in Abuja and the US Consulate General in Lagos have announced the resumption of full operations, including American citizen services and visa processing. This decision comes after a 43-day partial government shutdown in the United States, which affected non-essential government operations and led to disruptions in consular functions.
The shutdown began on October 1, 2025, due to a congressional stalemate over federal funding. During this period, hundreds of thousands of federal workers were either furloughed or worked without pay. Despite the shutdown, scheduled passport and visa services continued as permitted, with the embassy prioritizing urgent safety and security information .
President Donald Trump signed a bipartisan funding bill on Wednesday, extending government funding through January 30, 2026, and including full-year appropriations for key sectors. The bill was approved by the Republican-controlled House with a vote of 222 to 209, supported by six Democrats. Following the resolution, the US Embassy in Nigeria confirmed the resumption of full operations, stating, “US Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria have resumed full operations. American citizen services and visa services are proceeding as scheduled”.
With the shutdown now over, the embassy and consulate will prioritize providing efficient services to the public. Applicants can expect regular updates on the status of their applications and can plan accordingly .