The US embassy in Nigeria has announced the closure of its Lagos and Abuja offices due to the ongoing government shutdown in its country.
The closure will affect thousands seeking to apply for, or renew their visas, as their appointments would have to be rescheduled.
In a post on its official Facebook page, the embassy said the both offices would re-open once the shutdown is resolved.
“Due to the current U.S. government shutdown, the American Centers located in the Embassy, Abuja and Consulate General, Lagos are unfortunately closed.
“They will re-open once the U.S. government shutdown is resolved. Sorry for any inconvenience to our valued patrons,” said the embassy
In US politics, a government shutdown occurs when congress fails to appropriate funds for the following fiscal year.
It could also occur when the president refuses to sign legislation for the funding of federal government operations and agencies.
The shutdown, the third in the US this year, began on the midnight of December 21.
The government had partially shut down after the White House and congress reached a deadlock on budget funding deal of five billion dollars for the construction of a wall along the US- Mexico border.
Mick Mulvaney, incoming chief of staff of President Donald Trump, said the shutdown may continue till congress convenes on January 3.
“It’s very possible that this shutdown will go beyond the 28th and into the new Congress,”
It would be recalled that last August, the embassy halted consular services and appointments in Abuja.
The embassy said appointments for visa and for American citizen services were also suspended temporarily.
Though no reason was given for the decision, the mission said in a statement that consular operations in Lagos were, however, not affected.
“Until further notice, all consular appointments at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja have temporarily ceased for both visa and for American Citizen Services.
“Consular functions in U.S. Consulate Lagos are not affected and will continue. Scheduled visa and ACS applicants for Abuja will be contacted for rescheduling,” it stated.
