The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will suspend operations on Monday, January 19, 2026, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The announcement was made on Sunday via the official X handle of the US Mission in Nigeria.
“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 stated.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday in the United States, observed annually on the third Monday of January to honor the civil rights leader who championed racial equality and nonviolent activism.
The holiday was officially established on November 2, 1983, following the signing of a bill by President Ronald Reagan, and was first celebrated on January 20, 1986, marking Dr. King’s birthday on January 15.
Officials noted that while routine operations will pause, emergency services for US citizens will remain accessible through designated channels. Normal diplomatic services are expected to resume on Tuesday, January 20.
“The closure is a reminder of Dr. King’s enduring legacy and commitment to equality, justice, and nonviolence,” the US Mission added in its statement.
