Visa applicants were thrown into confusion and uncertainty on Thursday following the sudden cancellation of scheduled appointments by a foreign embassy after it directed its staff to leave Abuja.
The development, which affected dozens of applicants, was announced through a brief notice issued to affected individuals, citing “unforeseen operational circumstances” linked to the temporary relocation of personnel from the Nigerian capital.
In the notice sent to applicants, the embassy stated: “Due to recent developments requiring the withdrawal of our staff from Abuja, all visa appointments scheduled for this period have been cancelled until further notice.”
Several applicants who had travelled from different parts of the country expressed frustration over the abrupt decision, noting that they were not given prior warning.
“I came all the way from Enugu for my appointment, only to receive a message this morning that it has been cancelled. This is very disappointing,” one applicant said.
Another applicant described the situation as “confusing and costly,” adding that many had already incurred travel and accommodation expenses before receiving the cancellation notice.
“I had prepared all my documents and even paid for accommodation. Now everything is uncertain,” she said.
Although the embassy did not disclose specific reasons for the staff withdrawal, sources familiar with the situation hinted at security and administrative concerns necessitating the temporary relocation.
“The safety of our personnel remains a top priority. We regret any inconvenience caused and will communicate new appointment dates as soon as normal operations resume,” the statement added.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official timeline for the resumption of visa services in Abuja, leaving applicants in limbo over their travel plans.
