The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will suspend official activities on Monday, February 16, in observance of the annual Presidents’ Day public holiday in the United States.
Gatekeepers News reports that the US Mission announced the temporary closure in a message shared on its official X account on Sunday, advising applicants and visitors to plan their engagements accordingly. Normal operations are expected to resume on Tuesday.
Presidents’ Day is a federal holiday in the United States, marked on the third Monday of February each year. The observance provides Americans with a three-day weekend, during which federal government offices, banks, post offices, courts, and many schools and private businesses remain closed.
The holiday was originally established to commemorate the birthday of George Washington, the first president of the United States, who was born on February 22, 1732. Over time, its scope expanded, and in 1971, it was officially designated as a federal holiday to honour all past US presidents and recognise their contributions to the nation’s development, leadership, and global influence.
Across the United States, the day is often marked with official ceremonies, public lectures, educational programmes, historical reflections, and retail promotions. Many Americans also use the holiday period for travel and family gatherings.
In line with global diplomatic practice, US embassies and consulates around the world observe key American public holidays. The mission in Nigeria had similarly closed in November 2025 to mark the Thanksgiving holiday, which is traditionally celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.
The embassy and consulate have encouraged individuals with urgent consular needs to consult official online channels for emergency contact information during the closure.
