The United States Embassy in Nigeria has reassured Nigerians that visa and passport services will continue to run despite the ongoing partial shutdown of the US government.
In a statement issued on Wednesday via its official X handle, the embassy explained that while its social media accounts would not be updated regularly during the funding lapse, essential consular services remain operational.
“Due to the lapse in appropriations, this X account will not be updated regularly until full operations resume, except for urgent safety and security information.
At this time, scheduled passport and visa transit services in the United States and at U.S. Embassies and Consulates overseas will continue during the lapse in appropriations as the situation permits,” the embassy stated.
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The clarification came after widespread concerns among Nigerians that the shutdown in Washington might disrupt visa processing, affect student travel, and delay other consular services.
The shutdown began after US lawmakers and President Donald Trump failed to reach a compromise on a federal budget deal. At the centre of the dispute is Democratic Party pressure for expanded healthcare funding, which Republicans have resisted.
Trump, defending the shutdown, said the deadlock could help him cut back on Democratic-linked programmes.
While the shutdown will not affect critical services such as the military, postal operations, or welfare schemes like Social Security and food stamps, it is expected to place a heavy burden on federal workers.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that as many as 750,000 federal employees may be sent home daily without pay until a funding agreement is reached.
This marks the first government shutdown since the record-breaking 35-day closure nearly seven years ago, also under Trump’s administration.
Since 1976, when the modern budget process was introduced, the US has experienced 21 shutdowns, most of which were resolved before causing widespread disruptions.
The embassy advised Nigerians to rely on official sources for consular information during the shutdown.
“Nigerians are encouraged to visit travel.state.gov for the latest updates on visa appointments and passport processing,” the notice added.
