US Embassy Nigeria Holiday Schedule 2026: Abuja and Lagos Closure Dates From August to December

US Embassy Nigeria Holiday Schedule 2026: Abuja and Lagos Closure Dates From August to December

The US Embassy in Abuja and Consulate General in Lagos will close on eight dates from August to December 2026. See the full US Embassy Nigeria holiday schedule and plan your visa and consular appointments.

US Embassy and Lagos Consulate Announce Remaining 2026 Holiday Closures

The United States Embassy in Abuja and the US Consulate General in Lagos will observe several Nigerian and American public holidays during the remaining months of 2026.

According to the holiday schedule provided for the US diplomatic missions in Nigeria, routine public services will be unavailable on eight designated dates between August and December.

The closures are important for Nigerians and other applicants who intend to visit the embassy or consulate for US visa appointments, passport services, notarial services and other consular matters.

Applicants are therefore advised to consider the holiday calendar when planning appointments or making arrangements that require services from the US diplomatic missions.

The remaining closures cover public holidays observed in either Nigeria, the United States, or both countries.

US Embassy Nigeria Holiday Schedule for August to December 2026

The remaining 2026 closure dates are as follows:

Date| Day| Holiday| Observed By

August 25, 2026| Tuesday| Eid-El-Maulud| Nigeria

September 7, 2026| Monday| Labour Day| United States

October 1, 2026| Thursday| Nigeria Independence Day| Nigeria

October 12, 2026| Monday| Columbus Day| United States

November 11, 2026| Wednesday| Veterans Day| United States

November 26, 2026| Thursday| Thanksgiving Day| United States

December 25, 2026| Friday| Christmas Day| Nigeria and United States

December 26, 2026| Saturday| Boxing Day| Nigeria

These dates apply to the US Embassy in Abuja and the US Consulate General in Lagos, with routine public services unavailable during the designated holiday closures.

August 25, 2026 – Eid-El-Maulud

The first remaining closure is scheduled for Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in observance of Eid-El-Maulud.

Eid-El-Maulud commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad and is recognised as a public holiday in Nigeria.

Applicants who have appointments or intend to visit the US diplomatic missions around this period should take the closure into account when making their plans.

September 7, 2026 – US Labour Day

The embassy and consulate are scheduled to close again on Monday, September 7, 2026, for Labour Day, a public holiday observed in the United States.

Because the holiday is an American observance, US diplomatic missions in Nigeria may suspend routine operations on the date.

People planning consular appointments should avoid assuming that normal services will be available during the closure.

October 1, 2026 – Nigeria Independence Day

The next closure will take place on Thursday, October 1, 2026, in observance of Nigeria’s Independence Day.

October 1 is Nigeria’s national Independence Day and is one of the country's major public holidays.

The closure means routine services at the US Embassy in Abuja and Consulate General in Lagos will not be available on the designated date.

Applicants with time-sensitive travel or documentation plans should therefore organise their appointments around the holiday.

October 12, 2026 – Columbus Day

The US diplomatic missions will also close on Monday, October 12, 2026, for Columbus Day.

Columbus Day is a US federal holiday observed in October.

For people using the US Embassy or Lagos Consulate for visa-related or other routine services, the holiday is another important date to note on the 2026 calendar.

November 11, 2026 – Veterans Day

In November, the embassy and consulate will observe Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.

Veterans Day is observed in the United States to honour military veterans who served in the US Armed Forces.

Routine public services at the diplomatic missions will be suspended on the holiday.

Visa applicants and individuals requiring other consular services should plan accordingly.

November 26, 2026 – Thanksgiving Day

The next November closure will be on Thursday, November 26, 2026, for Thanksgiving Day.

Thanksgiving is a major US holiday traditionally observed on the fourth Thursday of November.

The closure will affect routine services at the US Embassy in Abuja and Consulate General in Lagos.

Anyone with planned appointments or consular business around the date should take the holiday schedule into consideration.

December 25, 2026 – Christmas Day

The diplomatic missions will close on Friday, December 25, 2026, for Christmas Day.

Christmas is observed as a public holiday in both Nigeria and the United States, making it one of the shared holidays on the remaining 2026 schedule.

Applicants seeking visa, passport, notarial or other routine services should expect normal operations to be suspended on the day.

December 26, 2026 – Boxing Day

The final listed closure for 2026 will be on Saturday, December 26, for Boxing Day, which is recognised as a public holiday in Nigeria.

The date comes immediately after Christmas Day and marks the end of the listed US diplomatic mission holiday closures for the year.

Because December 26 falls on a Saturday, applicants should check the mission's official operating arrangements when scheduling services around the Christmas period.

What the US Embassy Holiday Schedule Means for Visa Applicants

The holiday schedule is particularly important for people applying for US visas or preparing for travel.

A public holiday closure does not necessarily mean that a visa application has been cancelled. Instead, routine services are unavailable on the designated closure dates.

Applicants should carefully check their appointment information and follow instructions provided by the US Embassy or Consulate.

People should also avoid making assumptions about appointment availability based solely on normal weekday operating hours.

Those who need embassy services should plan ahead, especially during periods when several public holidays occur close together.

Consular Services Affected by Holiday Closures

The holiday closures may affect routine services provided by the US diplomatic missions, including:

- Visa-related appointments and services

- US passport services

- Notarial services

- Routine assistance for US citizens

- Other general consular services

- Administrative services normally provided to the public

Applicants should confirm the status of their specific appointment or service through official US diplomatic channels before travelling to the embassy or consulate.

Emergency Assistance for US Citizens

Although routine public services will be unavailable during the listed holiday closures, emergency assistance for US citizens remains available.

US citizens who experience a genuine emergency should use the official emergency contact arrangements provided by the US Embassy or Consulate.

This distinction is important because a holiday closure generally affects normal public-facing operations, while emergency assistance arrangements may continue.

How to Plan a US Embassy Appointment in Nigeria

Anyone planning to use services at the US Embassy in Abuja or Consulate General in Lagos should take a few simple steps to avoid unnecessary delays.

1. Check the holiday calendar

Before booking or attending an appointment, review the applicable holiday schedule.

This is especially important during August, October, November and December, when several closure dates are listed.

2. Confirm your appointment

If you already have an appointment, check the instructions associated with your appointment and any official communication from the mission.

Do not rely solely on information shared on social media or unofficial websites.

3. Plan around public holidays

Applicants should allow enough time around closure dates for appointments, document submission and other required procedures.

This can be particularly important for people working with travel deadlines.

4. Use official sources

For the most accurate and current information, applicants should consult the official US Embassy and Consulate information for Nigeria before travelling.

Holiday arrangements, appointment procedures and consular instructions can change, so official information should take priority over older posts or forwarded messages.

Full List of US Embassy Nigeria Holiday Closures for the Rest of 2026

For easy reference, the remaining dates are:

Tuesday, August 25, 2026 — Eid-El-Maulud

Monday, September 7, 2026 — Labour Day

Thursday, October 1, 2026 — Nigeria Independence Day

Monday, October 12, 2026 — Columbus Day

Wednesday, November 11, 2026 — Veterans Day

Thursday, November 26, 2026 — Thanksgiving Day

Friday, December 25, 2026 — Christmas Day

Saturday, December 26, 2026 — Boxing Day

FAQ.....

Will the US Embassy in Abuja close on Nigerian public holidays?

The US Embassy observes a combination of US and Nigerian holidays. The specific closure dates are determined by the mission's official holiday schedule.

Will the US Consulate in Lagos also close?

The listed holiday schedule applies to the US diplomatic missions in Nigeria, including the Embassy in Abuja and Consulate General in Lagos.

Can I get a US visa during a public holiday closure?

Routine visa and consular services are not available during designated closure dates. Applicants should plan their appointments around the published holiday schedule.

Will emergency assistance for US citizens be available?

Emergency assistance for US citizens remains available during holiday periods, according to the information provided with the schedule. US citizens should use official emergency contact channels when assistance is urgently required.

What is the final US Embassy holiday closure in 2026?

The final listed closure is Saturday, December 26, 2026, for Boxing Day.

Are all eight holidays Nigerian public holidays?

No. The schedule includes both Nigerian and US holidays. Eid-El-Maulud, Nigeria Independence Day and Boxing Day are Nigerian observances, while Labour Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving are US holidays. Christmas Day is observed by both countries.

The US Embassy in Abuja and Consulate General in Lagos have eight remaining scheduled holiday closures from August through December 2026.

The dates include Nigerian holidays such as Eid-El-Maulud, Independence Day and Boxing Day, alongside US holidays including Labour Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving.

For visa applicants, US citizens and anyone seeking consular services, knowing these dates in advance can help prevent unnecessary trips and appointment-related delays.

Applicants are encouraged to check official US diplomatic channels for the latest information before visiting the embassy or consulate, particularly if they have an upcoming visa interview, passport appointment, notarial service or other time-sensitive request.