By Obinna Uballa
The United States Embassy in Nigeria has reassured applicants that visa and passport services will continue uninterrupted, despite the ongoing partial shutdown of the US government.
In a notice issued Wednesday via its official X handle, the embassy said: “Due to the lapse in appropriations, this X account will not be updated regularly until full operations resume, with the exception of urgent safety and security information. At this time, scheduled passport and visa services in the United States and at US Embassies and Consulates overseas will continue during the lapse in appropriations as the situation permits.”
The clarification came amid growing concern among Nigerians that the budget standoff in Washington could disrupt visa processing, student travel plans, and other consular activities.
The New Diplomat had reported that the shutdown began after President Donald Trump and lawmakers failed to reach a funding deal, forcing several federal departments and agencies to suspend operations. The impasse stems from a dispute over Democratic demands for increased health care funding, which Republicans have resisted.
While Trump defended the shutdown as an opportunity to cut Democratic-backed programmes, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that about 750,000 federal workers could be furloughed daily without pay until a compromise is reached.
Reports say essential services such as the military, postal operations, and welfare schemes including Social Security and food stamps remain unaffected.
This marks the first government shutdown since the record 35-day closure nearly seven years ago during Trump’s first term. Since 1976, when the modern budget process was introduced, the US has experienced 21 shutdowns, it was gathered.
The embassy advised Nigerians to monitor travel.state.gov for the latest updates on visa appointments and passport processing.
