U.S. Embassy And Consulate In Nigeria To Close July 4 For Independence Day

The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Friday, July 4, 2025, in observance of U.S. Independence Day.

The announcement was made by the U.S. Mission in Nigeria via its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday.

“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Friday, July 4, 2025, in observance of the U.S. Independence Day,” the statement read.

The closure is part of an annual tradition marking the United States’ Declaration of Independence from British rule in 1776. The day is celebrated across the U.S. with patriotic events, fireworks, concerts, parades, and family gatherings.

While the statement did not detail the status of consular services, such as visa appointments or passport processing, these services are typically paused during public holidays, with normal operations expected to resume on Monday, July 7, 2025.

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria—which includes the Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate in Lagos—plays a vital role in strengthening diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations between the United States and Nigeria.

The Embassy in Abuja focuses on key diplomatic engagements, development partnerships, and security cooperation, while the Lagos Consulate handles visa services, citizen assistance, and commercial diplomacy, reflecting Lagos’ status as Nigeria’s economic hub.

The closure aligns with standard U.S. diplomatic practice worldwide, where Independence Day is not only celebrated by American staff but also used as an occasion to highlight the shared values of democracy, freedom, and cooperation with host countries.

Over the years, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria has hosted July 4th celebrations attended by government officials, business leaders, and civil society representatives, underscoring the strong bilateral ties between both nations.

The U.S. remains one of Nigeria’s most significant partners in areas such as trade, health, education, and security. Through programs like PEPFAR, counterterrorism support, cultural exchanges, and developmental financing, the United States continues to invest in Nigeria’s growth and stability.