U.S closes Lagos consular office temporarily

The United States Consular office in Lagos has been temporarily closed down. In a routine message to its citizens, the consulate stated that due to reasons begin its control, it will be temporarily unable to provide regular services for visas and American Citizen Services in Lagos, but other offices within the consulate general remain open.

The consulate stated consular functions at the U.S. Embassy Abuja are not affected and will continue.

While the consulate did not state the reason for the temporary shut down, sources say it may be linked to the recent outbreak and spread of the coronavirus.

According to the consular, “Until further notice, applicants are encouraged to contact the Consular Office in Abuja for immediate emergency travel. Applicants with emergency travel must provide a travel itinerary. Please monitor the Facebook and Webpage of the U.S. Embassy for updates on consular operations. Scheduled visa and ACS applicants for Lagos will be contacted for rescheduling.

“American citizens in southern Nigeria with urgent travel needs who are to re-schedule their travel through Abuja should contact the ACS office at Embassy Abuja to discuss their options. Those traveling after March 13, 2020, should follow-up with [email protected] to confirm their appointments closer to their appointment date.

“American citizens in southern Nigeria with emergency services needs should continue to contact the after-hours emergency number for Lagos to request assistance.”

The Lagos consular office stated that it regrets the inconvenience this has caused to its applicants in Lagos and hopes to resume operations next week.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.