The U.S. has shuttered its embassy in Nigeria amid security concerns over a potential protest by Shia Muslims to remonstrate 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,” a statement on Thursday said. “Visa appointments originally scheduled for March 4 and 5, as well as American Citizen Services (ACS) appointments scheduled for March 5, have been rescheduled to next week.”
It added, “Please check your email or AVITs account for your new appointment date. ACS applicants: Please check your email for your new appointment date.
“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.”
Previously, the embassy cancelled all visa appointments and issued an urgent security alert to American citizens over fears that protests by Shia Muslims in the federal capital could spiral into violence following the assassination of Mr Khamenei.
In a statement on Tuesday, the mission said the decision was taken due to the high possibility of demonstrations by Shia Muslim faithful angered by Khamenei’s death, which they attribute to U.S. and Israeli forces.
“Due to the potential for protests in Abuja, the U.S. Embassy in Abuja has cancelled all visa appointments on Wednesday, March 4, 2026,” the U.S. government stated.
The embassy said affected applicants would be contacted with information on rescheduling their appointments.
It urged American citizens in Abuja to remain indoors on Wednesday, should protests erupt. It warned of possible unrest and advised U.S. nationals to maintain a low profile, avoid crowded areas and monitor local media for updates.
Citizens were also enjoined to familiarise themselves with emergency exits and egress routes in any building they enter and to “vary travel routes and times to reduce predictability”.
Since the Iranian leader was gunned down on Saturday, protests have erupted in parts of northern Nigeria, including Kano , Kaduna, Bauchi, Niger, Katsina, and Abuja.
In those states, minority Shia Muslims marched through the streets carrying portraits of the Iranian leader, mourning his death with chants and songs, and condemning the U.S. and Israel.
