US closes embassy in Abuja, consulate general in Lagos

• Published On: 17 February 2025 at 20:16

The United States has announced the closure of its Embassy in Abuja and Consulate General in Lagos on Monday, February 17, 2025, in observance of Presidents' Day.

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria announced this in a statement published on its official X account on Sunday.

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria has verified that standard operations will recommence on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.

The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 17, 2025, in commemoration of Presidents' Day. The statement indicated, "Normal operations will recommence on Tuesday, February 18, 2025."

Presidents' Day is a federal holiday in the United States, celebrated each year on the third Monday of February.

Initially commemorating George Washington's birthday, Presidents' Day has transformed to recognise all U.S. presidents.

Initially designated as Washington's Birthday in 1879, the holiday was relocated to its present date in 1971 pursuant to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, aimed at generating additional three-day weekends for employees.