US embassy in Nigeria resumes full operations as government shutdown ends

The United States embassy and consulate in Nigeria haveresumed full operations following the reopening of the American government. On October 1, when the US government shut down, embassiesand consulates across the world, including in Nigeria, announced that theywould reduce public communications. The diplomatic missions particularly said they would notpost routine updates “until full operations resume,” except for urgent safetyand security information. After a 43-day shutdown, US President Donald Trump signed aspending bill on Wednesday to reopen the government. It was the longest such closure in the country’s history. In a statement on Friday, the US embassy in Nigeria notifiedvisa applicants and relevant service users that it had resumed full operations. “American citizen services and visa services are proceedingas scheduled,” the embassy said. Trump signed the budget after the house of representativesvoted 222-209 to approve it, two days after the senate narrowly approved thesame package. However, the short-term budget only provides funding to keepthe government open until January 30, when lawmakers will once again need tofind a way to fund the government. This means there is a possibility of the US governmentshutting down again in January if Democrats and Republicans fail to reach anagreement.

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