The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a formal travel advisory urging citizens, particularly those with underlying health conditions, to exercise caution and seek medical guidance before travelling through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, following the deaths of 16 Nigerians in the city this year.
The advisory was contained in a statement released yesterday, in Abuja by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and signed by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi. According to the statement, the warning comes after Nigeria’s Diplomatic Mission in Addis Ababa recorded 16 fatalities involving Nigerian nationals transiting through the Ethiopian capital in 2026.
While the Ministry noted that exact details of the individual cases were not disclosed, the deaths have been linked to health complications associated with the city’s high-altitude environment.
In the statement, Adeniyi explained that Addis Ababa, a major international aviation hub and the primary operating base for Ethiopian Airlines, sits at an elevation of approximately 2,355 metres (7,726 feet) above sea level. At this altitude, lower atmospheric pressure leads to reduced oxygen availability, which can trigger severe physiological reactions in certain passengers.
“While healthy individuals are generally able to adapt to reduced oxygen levels in high-altitude environments, persons with certain pre-existing medical ailments, particularly cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, may experience increased health risks in such conditions,” the statement read.
Consequently, the Ministry advised Nigerians whose medical conditions could be aggravated by high altitudes to consult healthcare professionals and obtain appropriate medical clearance before embarking on journeys that involve transiting through the city.
Despite the fatalities, the Federal Government clarified that the advisory is not a travel ban and is not intended to discourage Nigerians from visiting Ethiopia or using Addis Ababa as a connecting hub.
“The Federal Government wishes to emphasise that this advisory is not intended to discourage Nigerians from transiting through or travelling to Addis Ababa,” Adeniyi stated. “Rather, it aims to ensure that persons who may be medically vulnerable to the physiological effects of high altitudes are adequately informed and encouraged to take necessary precautions before embarking on their journeys.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare, health, and safety of Nigerians abroad, pledging to continue providing timely consular information and travel guidance to help citizens make informed decisions.
