The United States Embassy in Abuja and Consulate General in Lagos have fully restored all operations — including American citizen services and visa processing — following the end of a 43-day partial government shutdown in the United States.
Federal agencies across the U.S. have begun reopening after President Donald Trump signed a bipartisan funding bill late Wednesday, bringing an end to the longest shutdown in American history. The bill extends government funding through January 30, 2026, and includes full-year appropriations for key sectors.
Announcing the resumption on Friday in a post on its official X handle, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria confirmed that all consular services are now running on schedule, easing disruptions experienced during the funding lapse.
“End of Lapse of Appropriations. US Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria have resumed full operations. American citizen services and visa services are proceeding as scheduled,” the statement read.
The shutdown, which started on October 1, 2025, stemmed from a congressional impasse over federal spending. The stalemate forced thousands of federal workers into unpaid furloughs and limited non-essential government services worldwide.
Earlier on October 1, the U.S. Embassy had warned that its social media platforms would not be updated — except for urgent security information — until a funding agreement was reached.
Routine consular services such as passport renewals, notarial appointments, and non-immigrant visa interviews were slowed or postponed during the shutdown, resulting in backlogs for applicants in Nigeria and other countries.
Why the Shutdown Happened
Under U.S. law, both chambers of Congress must approve a funding plan for the president to sign. Although Republicans controlled both the House and Senate, they initially failed to secure the 60 Senate votes needed to pass a temporary spending bill. Their key demand was the inclusion of an extension of expiring health-insurance tax credits that help millions of Americans afford coverage.
The Republican-controlled House eventually passed the final bipartisan deal with a 222–209 vote, supported by six Democrats. The Senate had approved the package two days earlier in a 60–40 vote, with seven Democrats and one independent joining Republicans.
The bill also contains stopgap measures to stabilize other federal agencies and avert further immediate shutdown threats.
With operations now fully restored, U.S. citizens and visa applicants in Nigeria can expect a return to normal processing timelines after weeks of delays.
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