The United States Embassy in Nigeria has assured applicants that visa and passport services will continue despite the ongoing partial shutdown of the US government.
In a notice issued via its official X handle on Wednesday, the embassy clarified that while its social media platforms will see fewer updates during the shutdown, essential consular services remain unaffected.
Due to the lapse in appropriations, this X account will not be updated regularly until full operations resume, with the exception of urgent safety and security information,” the embassy said. “At this time, scheduled passport and visa 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 announcement followed growing concerns among Nigerians that the political deadlock in Washington could disrupt visa appointments, student travel schedules, and other consular-related services. Many Nigerians depend on timely visa processing for academic, medical, business, and tourism purposes, making the embassy’s reassurance particularly significant.
The current shutdown began after US lawmakers and President Donald Trump failed to reach an agreement on a new federal budget. The stalemate, which largely centers on Democratic demands for increased health care funding a priority resisted by Republicans has forced several federal departments and agencies to halt operations.
Although the shutdown affects many federal offices, essential services such as the military, postal service, Social Security payments, and food stamp programs remain operational. However, the Congressional Budget Office has estimated that as many as 750,000 federal workers could be furloughed without pay on a daily basis until a funding deal is reached.
Shutdowns in the US occur when Congress and the President fail to agree on appropriations bills to fund government activities. In such situations, non-essential federal agencies suspend operations, while critical services continue. Since the adoption of the modern budget process in 1976, the United States has experienced 21 shutdowns. The longest lasted 35 days during Trump’s first term in office, from late 2018 into early 2019, which significantly disrupted government operations and placed millions of workers in financial difficulty.
Analysts note that while shutdowns often begin as political showdowns between opposing parties, they tend to have ripple effects across the economy, foreign relations, and public trust in government. For Nigerians, however, the continuation of visa and passport services provides some relief amid ongoing political wrangling in Washington.
The US Embassy has urged Nigerians to rely on official sources for updates. “Applicants and travelers are advised to visit travel.state.gov for the most accurate information on visa appointments and passport processing,” the embassy emphasized.
With the budget impasse still unresolved, observers warn that the shutdown could drag on, depending on negotiations between the White House and Congress. For now, though, the embassy’s assurance provides a measure of stability for thousands of Nigerians with pending or upcoming travel plans.