The federal government has warned Nigerians, particularly those with underlying medical conditions, against the potential health risks of transiting through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, following the deaths of 16 Nigerians in the country this year.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a travel advisory issued on Friday, November 13, 2026, and signed by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi.
The ministry said the deaths were reportedly linked to health complications associated with the high-altitude conditions in the Ethiopian capital.
It explained that Addis Ababa is located approximately 2,355 metres (7,726 feet) above sea level, where lower atmospheric pressure reduces the amount of oxygen available to the body.
According to the ministry, while healthy individuals can generally adapt to reduced oxygen levels at high altitudes, people with certain pre-existing medical conditions, particularly cardiovascular and respiratory ailments, may face increased health risks.
“The federal government of Nigeria wishes to advise Nigerians, particularly those with pre-existing medical conditions, to exercise caution and seek appropriate medical advice when planning journeys involving transit through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in view of the potential health risks associated with the city’s high-altitude terrain,” the statement read.
The government therefore urged travellers whose medical conditions could be aggravated by high altitudes to seek appropriate medical guidance before undertaking journeys through the Ethiopian capital.
The ministry, however, clarified that the advisory was not intended to discourage Nigerians from travelling to or transiting through Addis Ababa.
Rather, it said the notice was aimed at ensuring that travellers who may be vulnerable to the physiological effects of high altitudes were adequately informed and took necessary precautions before travelling.
It added that the government places a high premium on the health, safety and wellbeing of Nigerians and would continue to provide timely travel information and guidance to citizens travelling abroad.
Addis Ababa is a major international aviation hub for Nigerian travellers connecting to destinations across Europe, Asia and other parts of the world.
In December 2025, LEADERSHIP reported that Addis Ababa Bole International Airport ranked third among Africa’s busiest airports by departing seats, recording 1.17 million seats, a 5.5 per cent increase from 1.11 million in December 2024.
The airport serves as the main hub for Ethiopian Airlines and a major connection point for international travellers.
Ethiopia has also introduced immigration requirements affecting Nigerian travellers. In October 2022, LEADERSHIP reported that the country stopped issuing visas on arrival to Nigerian citizens, requiring them to obtain visas through the Ethiopian Embassy in Abuja or its electronic visa portal.