US embassy, Lagos consulate to shut on January 19 for Martin Luther King Jr.

The United States Embassy in Abuja and the US Consulate General in Lagos will remain closed on Monday, January 19, 2026, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the US Mission in Nigeria has announced.

The disclosure was made on Sunday via the mission’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, where it informed the public of a temporary suspension of routine diplomatic services.

“The US Embassy in Abuja and Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, January 19, 2026, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day,” the post stated.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal public holiday in the United States, observed annually on the third Monday of January, to honour the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the iconic civil rights leader who championed racial equality, social justice and nonviolent resistance.

The holiday was formally established on November 2, 1983, after then-President Ronald Reagan signed the bill into law. It was first observed on January 20, 1986, close to Dr. King’s birthday on January 15.

The closure means a one-day halt in routine consular and visa services, affecting Nigerians and other residents with scheduled appointments for visa interviews, passport services and other administrative processes.

However, the US Mission clarified that emergency services for US citizens will remain available through designated emergency contact channels.

Normal operations at both the Abuja embassy and the Lagos consulate are expected to resume on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

READ ALSO: U.S. approves $413m security funding for Nigeria, West Africa under 2026 Defence Law

Foreign travel consultants and immigration experts have advised visa applicants and other service users to plan ahead to avoid disruptions.

A Lagos-based travel consultant, Mrs. Funke Adebayo, said public holidays at foreign missions often catch applicants unprepared.

“Many applicants forget that US federal holidays also apply to US missions abroad. Anyone with urgent travel plans should factor this into their scheduling and avoid last-minute arrangements,” she advised.

Similarly, international relations analyst Dr. Samuel Okorie noted that such closures are standard diplomatic practice.

“US missions worldwide observe American federal holidays. While the closure may cause minor inconvenience, it also reflects the global significance of Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, which extends beyond the United States,” Okorie said.

The US Mission urged the public to monitor its official communication channels for updates and to reschedule appointments accordingly, as it reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining efficient diplomatic and consular services in Nigeria.