Health Alert: U.S. Consulate General Lagos, Nigeria (April 1, 2020)
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Event: Evacuation Flight Update
Since the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority closed all international airports to commercial flights, many U.S. citizens have contacted the U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos expressing an interest in returning to the United States via an evacuation flight. We have been working to arrange these flights and many of you have already been confirmed for a scheduled flight. If you have completed the Lagos evacuation request form and have not received an email from us with flight details, please know we are working to arrange more flights. We cannot guarantee everyone a seat on a flight, but are working to arrange additional flights at this time. We will contact you if are you eligible for a seat on one of the flights.
If you have not filled out the evacuation request form but are interested in a self-funded, one way evacuation flight, please fill out the Lagos evacuation request form right away. For those who are interested in an evacuation flight from Abuja, please fill out the Abuja evacuation request here. If you are located in the Lagos consular district but due to proximity would prefer an evacuation flight out of Abuja, please ensure you have signed up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts from the Abuja consular district and have completed the Abuja evacuation request here. Both the U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the U.S. Consulate in Lagos are also working with the Government of Nigeria to ensure that – when flights do become available – U.S. citizens can safely travel to the airport given the recent “lockdown” announcement.
Important Note: Nigerian Immigration has indicated evacuation flight travelers whose Nigerian visas are expired will be subject to a fine prior to departure. The fine is based on a sliding scale, and we are unable to provide an estimate of how much this fine will be. The fine may be paid by credit card or cash. If you are in Nigeria on a nonimmigrant visa, please check if your visa is still valid, and be prepared to pay the fine if you have overstayed the visa.
Actions to Take:
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
- For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Nigeria.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy Abuja, Nigeria
Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central District Area
+234 (9) 461-4000 during business hours; after hours press zero (0)
AbujaACS@state.gov - U.S. Consulate General Lagos, Nigeria
2 Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island
+234 (1) 461-3400 during business hours and after hours
LagosACS@state.gov - State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444 - Nigeria Country Information
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts.
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.