BREAKING: US Orders Embassy Staff Out of Nigeria, Slaps 23 States with "Do Not Travel" WarningBy AfriWatch Nigeria Desk | April 11, 2026 | Breaking News & Politics

This is a developing story. AfriWatch will continue to update as events unfold.

The United States government has issued a stark warning to its citizens about Nigeria, ordering non-emergency staff out of its Abuja embassy and placing 23 Nigerian states under its highest travel risk category — a move that has sent shockwaves through diplomatic and business circles.

What Happened?

On April 8, 2026, the US Department of State updated its Nigeria Travel Advisory, authorising non-emergency government employees and their family members to leave the US Embassy in Abuja, citing what it described as a "deteriorating security situation" across the country.

The overall advisory for Nigeria remains at Level 3: Reconsider Travel — but crucially, 23 Nigerian states have now been upgraded to Level 4: Do Not Travel, the highest and most severe warning the State Department issues.

Five new states — Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, and Taraba — were added to the "Do Not Travel" list in this latest update, joining states already on the list including Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Kano, Zamfara, Sokoto, and several southern states.

Which States Are Affected?

The full list of Level 4: Do Not Travel states now covers:

North-East: Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Taraba, and northern Adamawa

North-West: Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara

North-Central: Kogi, Kwara, Niger, and Plateau

South & South-East: Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers (excluding Port Harcourt)

Why Is the US So Concerned?

The advisory points to a wide range of threats facing anyone travelling to Nigeria:

Security: Armed robbery, carjacking, assault, kidnapping for ransom, and roadside banditry are described as widespread. American citizens are specifically flagged as frequent targets because they are "perceived as wealthy."

Terrorism: Insurgent groups — particularly in the North-East — continue to plan and carry out attacks on markets, schools, places of worship, hotels, and transport hubs, often with little or no warning.

Civil Unrest: Communal clashes between farmers and herders, separatist-linked violence in the South-East, and armed gang activity in the Niger Delta are cited as ongoing threats.

Healthcare: US authorities also raised serious concerns about Nigeria's healthcare system, warning that medical facilities "generally do not meet US or European standards" and that emergency services are unreliable in many areas.

Nigeria Pushes Back

The advisory has not gone down well in Abuja. Nigerian authorities have pushed back, arguing that the warning fails to reflect security improvements in many parts of the country and risks unfairly damaging Nigeria's international reputation.

In the past, Nigerian officials have maintained that major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt remain safe for business and tourism. However, with non-emergency US embassy staff now being pulled out of Abuja itself, that argument faces an uphill battle.

Nigeria's government has yet to issue a full formal response to this latest update.

What Does This Mean for Nigeria?

The implications are significant. Nigeria is Africa's largest economy and most populous nation, with over 220 million people. A high-profile travel warning from the world's most powerful country carries serious consequences:

Foreign investment could slow as businesses reassess risk

Tourism — already fragile — faces another blow

Nigeria's international image takes a hit at a time when the country is trying to attract global attention and capital

Diplomatic relations between Abuja and Washington could come under new strain

The advisory also comes at a delicate moment. Despite the travel warning, the US and Nigeria have been deepening their security cooperation, including counterterrorism support, intelligence sharing, and the use of US-supplied aircraft against insurgent groups.

That contradiction — deep military partnership alongside a "Do Not Travel" warning — speaks volumes about the complexity of the Nigeria-US relationship in 2026.

What Should Nigerians Know?

For ordinary Nigerians, the advisory is a reminder of the security challenges the country continues to face. With 23 of Nigeria's 36 states now under the most severe travel warning from one of the world's most powerful governments, pressure is mounting on President Tinubu's administration to deliver meaningful results on security.

AfriWatch will continue to follow this story closely.

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