The Federal Government has urged Nigerians, particularly those with pre-existing medical conditions, to exercise caution when travelling through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, following 16 deaths involving Nigerians transiting through the city this year.
The warning was contained in a travel advisory issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, November 13, 2026, and signed by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi.
The government said the deaths were reportedly linked to health complications associated with the high-altitude environment of the Ethiopian capital.
In the advisory, the ministry urged travellers with underlying health conditions to seek appropriate medical guidance before embarking on journeys involving transit through Addis Ababa.
It identified people with cardiovascular and respiratory conditions as particularly vulnerable to the potential health risks associated with high altitudes.
According to the Federal Government, Addis Ababa is situated approximately 2,355 metres (7,726 feet) above sea level, where lower atmospheric pressure results in reduced oxygen availability.
It explained that although healthy individuals can generally adapt to reduced oxygen levels in high-altitude environments, people with certain pre-existing medical conditions may experience increased health risks.
The government therefore urged Nigerians whose medical conditions could be aggravated by high altitude to exercise caution and obtain professional medical advice before planning journeys through the city.
FG says advisory is not travel restriction
The Federal Government clarified that the advisory was not intended to discourage Nigerians from travelling to or transiting through Addis Ababa.
Rather, it said the measure was aimed at ensuring that medically vulnerable travellers were adequately informed about potential health risks and encouraged to take necessary precautions before travelling.
The ministry urged all Nigerians to make informed travel decisions, particularly where existing medical conditions could increase their vulnerability to the physiological effects of high altitude.
It reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the health, safety and welfare of Nigerians travelling abroad, adding that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would continue to provide timely information and guidance to citizens.
The advisory did not identify the 16 deceased Nigerians or provide individual medical findings establishing the cause of each death.
