The UK Embassy in Nigeria has announced the closure of its offices for the Easter holidays. The embassy will be closed on Friday, April 18, 2025, in observance of Good Friday, and on Monday, April 21, 2025, for Easter Monday. Operations will resume on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. This temporary closure is in line with the observance of two major Christian holidays that are significant for many Christians globally.
Why is the UK Embassy Closing?
The embassy will close to observe Good Friday and Easter Monday, both of which hold great religious importance. Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, while Easter Monday is a time of celebration for the resurrection of Christ. During this period, the embassy extended its best wishes to all those celebrating, wishing them a happy and peaceful Easter.
The UK Embassy shared a statement via social media saying:
“The British High Commission, Nigeria will be closed on Friday, April 18th (Good Friday) and Monday, April 21st (Easter Monday), 2025, for the #Easter Holidays. We wish all Christians and all those celebrating a Happy Easter!”
Impact on Embassy Services
During the Easter holiday period, all embassy services, including visa applications, passport renewals, and other consular services, will be temporarily unavailable. The embassy’s main office is located in Abuja, while the Deputy High Commission in Lagos handles consular services. It is essential for anyone needing consular services to plan their visits ahead of time to avoid disruptions.
If you’re planning to apply for a UK visa for tourism, business, education, or any other purpose, be aware that visa processing can take up to 30 days. Given the closure during the holiday period, applicants should submit their documents well in advance to avoid delays.
The British High Commission, Nigeria will be closed on Friday 18th April (Good Friday) and Monday the 21st April (Easter Monday), 2025 for the #Easter Holidays.
We wish all Christians and all those celebrating a Happy Easter!
— UK in Nigeria🇬🇧🇳🇬 (@UKinNigeria) April 17, 2025
How to Prepare for the Holiday Closures
With the UK Embassy closing on April 18 and April 21, it’s important for visa applicants and anyone requiring consular services to adjust their schedules. The embassy’s closure is a reminder to plan ahead and ensure your requests are handled before or after the holiday period. If you need urgent assistance, consider reaching out to the embassy beforehand to discuss your options.
Other Embassies Observing the Holiday
The UK Embassy is not alone in its observance of the Easter holidays. The US Embassy in Nigeria will also be closed on April 18 and April 21 in observance of Good Friday and Easter Monday. Both embassies have urged citizens and residents to plan accordingly, as the closure may impact the processing of consular services and visa applications.
Stay Informed: Check Embassy Updates
For anyone requiring further updates or information about the embassy’s services during the holiday period, you can visit the UK Embassy’s official website or follow their social media accounts on X (formerly Twitter) for real-time updates. The embassy will provide details on when services will resume and any changes to operational hours.
Plan Ahead for Easter Embassy Closures
As the Easter holidays approach, remember that the UK Embassy in Nigeria will be closed on April 18, 2025 (Good Friday) and April 21, 2025 (Easter Monday). Normal services will resume on April 22, 2025. If you need consular services, it’s crucial to plan ahead, submit applications early, and stay informed by checking official embassy channels.
This version now includes a direct quote from the embassy’s announcement!