The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will suspend consular services on five dates between October and December 2026, according to a schedule published on the US Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria website. The closures combine American federal holidays and Nigerian public holidays, impacting visa applications, passport renewals, and notarial appointments.
Remaining 2026 Holiday Closure Dates
The first closure is set for Monday, October 12, 2026, in observance of Columbus Day, one of 11 federal holidays recognised by the US government. The holiday commemorates Christopher Columbus's 1492 Atlantic crossing, which is widely credited with initiating sustained contact between Europe and the Americas. In recent years, the date has become contested, with several American states and cities observing Indigenous Peoples' Day on the same day to acknowledge the impact of European colonisation on native communities. Some jurisdictions now recognise both occasions simultaneously.
The missions will close again on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, for Veterans Day in the United States, followed by a third closure on Thursday, November 26, for Thanksgiving Day. Christmas Day on Friday, December 25, will be observed jointly by both Nigeria and the United States, and the missions will close accordingly. The final closure of the year is scheduled for Saturday, December 26, for Boxing Day, a recognised Nigerian public holiday.
Full List of Closures
- October 12, 2026 (Monday) – Columbus Day – United States
- November 11, 2026 (Wednesday) – Veterans Day – United States
- November 26, 2026 (Thursday) – Thanksgiving Day – United States
- December 25, 2026 (Friday) – Christmas Day – Nigeria and US
- December 26, 2026 (Saturday) – Boxing Day – Nigeria
Advice for Nigerians Seeking US Services
The US Embassy urged anyone planning to seek visa, passport, notarial, or other consular services to factor the holiday timetable into their scheduling. Routine public services will not be available on any of the five dates listed, and applicants are advised to book appointments on working days ahead of or after these closures. The embassy added that emergency assistance for US citizens will remain accessible throughout all holiday periods, regardless of the mission's general closure status.
Impact on Schools and Institutions
Meanwhile, primary and secondary schools, universities, and other educational institutions across Nigeria will not hold academic activities on Friday, December 25, 2026, as the country observes Christmas Day, a federally recognised public holiday. For some primary and secondary schools, the closure will come close to the official end of the first term. Universities may already be on recess or following their own academic calendars by that point.
