- The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos announced they would close on February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day
- The embassy explained that the holiday, first created to honour George Washington’s birthday, had grown to celebrate all U.S. presidents
- Officials noted that the day recognised presidential leadership in shaping America’s history and its positive influence on the world
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos confirmed that both offices would be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026.
The announcement was made on X on February 15, stating that the closure was in observance of Presidents’ Day.
Source: Getty Images
Presidents’ day significance
In its statement, the embassy explained that the holiday was originally established to honour the birthday of George Washington, the first president of the United States.
Over time, Presidents’ Day had evolved to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the nation’s history.
Embassy statement
The embassy wrote:
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
“Originally established to honor George Washington’s birthday, Presidents’ Day now celebrates all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the nation’s history and positively influencing the world.”
See the X post below:
Impact on services
The closure meant that routine consular services, including visa appointments and citizen services, would not be available on that day. The embassy indicated that normal operations were expected to resume the following day.
History of US embassy
The history of United States embassies dates back to the late 18th century, when the young nation began establishing formal diplomatic missions abroad.
The first American envoy was Benjamin Franklin, who was appointed as Minister to France in 1778, even before the U.S. had secured independence from Britain. This marked the beginning of America’s diplomatic presence overseas, with embassies serving as both political and cultural bridges.
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Throughout the 19th century, the U.S. expanded its network of embassies, initially in Europe and later in Latin America, reflecting its growing international interests.
By the early 20th century, embassies had become central to U.S. foreign policy, representing American values and protecting citizens abroad. The role of embassies expanded further after World War II, as the U.S. emerged as a global power and established missions across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Today, the United States maintains one of the largest diplomatic networks in the world, with more than 270 embassies and consulates in 174 countries. These embassies not only manage political relations but also promote trade, cultural exchange and security cooperation. They remain vital institutions in advancing U.S. interests and fostering international partnerships.
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US to deport 97 Nigerians, releases list with full names
Legit.ng earlier reported that the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that 18 Nigerians had been added to its deportation list, bringing the total number of individuals set for removal to 97.
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The update was contained in a statement published on the DHS website on February 10, 2026. According to the DHS, the arrests formed part of a coordinated crackdown across several U.S. states led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials.
The agency explained that the new names were included under its expanded nationwide enforcement operation targeting immigrants convicted of serious crimes.
Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng