The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced that 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.
The notice, shared on the mission’s official X page on Sunday, stated that both offices will not open to the public as part of activities marking the American federal holiday.
Presidents’ Day, observed annually on the third Monday of February in the United States, was originally established to honour the birth anniversary of George Washington. Over time, the commemoration expanded to celebrate the contributions of all American presidents and their roles in shaping the political, economic and diplomatic direction of the country.
The mission noted that beyond its domestic significance, the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidential leadership on global affairs.
In a related message, the embassy highlighted that Washington created the “Badge of Military Merit,” which later evolved into the Purple Heart, one of the United States’ most distinguished military honours and still bears his likeness.
Normal operations at the embassy and consulate are expected to resume after the holiday
