US Embassy & Consulate in Nigeria Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, January 19, 2026, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The US Mission in Nigeria announced the closure on its official X handle on Sunday. “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 read. 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 legacy of the civil rights leader who advocated racial equality and nonviolent protest. The holiday was established on November 2, 1983, after President Ronald Reagan signed a bill into law officially recognising the commemoration. It was first celebrated on January 20, 1986, to mark Dr King’s birthday, which falls on January 15. The closure means a one-day pause in operations for Nigerians and other residents relying on US diplomatic services. Emergency services for citizens will remain available through designated channels. Normal operations at both facilities are expected to resume on Tuesday, January 20.