U.S. warns: avoid Nigeria

The United States just told non-emergency embassy staff and their families they can leave Abuja, and it did it while keeping the embassy open with reduced emergency capacity for Americans in Nigeria. The order took effect on April 8, 2026, after Washington said the security situation was deteriorating. (travel.state.gov) (ng.usembassy.gov) At the same time, the State Department kept Nigeria at Level 3, which means “Reconsider Travel,” but it carved out much harsher warnings for large parts of the country. Twenty-three states are now under “Do Not Travel” guidance because of terrorism, kidnapping, crime, or civil unrest. (travel.state.gov) The map inside that warning is not just about the far northeast anymore. It includes Borno, Yobe, and northern Adamawa for terrorism, but also Plateau, Niger, Kogi, and Kwara, plus northwestern states like Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara, and southern oil-region states including Bayelsa, Delta, Imo, and Rivers outside Port Harcourt. (travel.state.gov) Washington’s language is blunt about the day-to-day risks. The advisory lists armed robbery, assault, carjacking, kidnapping, hostage-taking, roadside banditry, and rape, and it says kidnappings for ransom often target dual nationals visiting family because Americans are seen as wealthy. (travel.state.gov) (ng.usembassy.gov) Abuja is the capital, and that is what makes this move stand out. When the United States lets families leave its embassy there, it is signaling concern about the federal center of government, not just remote conflict zones hundreds of miles away. (ng.usembassy.gov) (reuters.com) The embassy said it will remain open, but it also warned that its ability to help U.S. citizens in an emergency will be limited. It told Americans to avoid non-essential travel, keep a low profile, review personal security plans, and prepare for conditions to change with little notice. (ng.usembassy.gov) (travel.state.gov) Reuters reported that the advisory was issued in a politically active year with major events planned for 2026. In practice, that means U.S. officials are not only watching armed groups and kidnappers, but also the way rallies, protests, and political mobilization can quickly create new flashpoints. (reuters.com) (travel.gc.ca) This kind of warning does not shut a country down, but it changes behavior fast. U.S. government travel rules tighten, corporate security teams reassess trips, insurers and aid groups revisit risk plans, and ordinary travelers start treating a business trip to Lagos or Abuja less like a routine flight and more like a high-risk operation. (reuters.com) (travel.state.gov) For Americans already in Nigeria, the practical message is narrower than “leave immediately” but sharper than a generic caution. Stay out of the 23 no-go states, avoid road travel after dark, do not assume embassy help will be quick, and expect the warning to move again if security conditions worsen. (travel.state.gov) (ng.usembassy.gov)