The Federal Government has advised Nigerians, particularly those with pre-existing medical conditions, to seek medical guidance before travelling through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, following 16 deaths involving Nigerians transiting through the city this year.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the deaths recorded by Nigeria's diplomatic mission in Addis Ababa were reportedly linked to health complications associated with the city's high-altitude terrain.
In a travel advisory issued on Friday, November 13, 2026, the ministry said travellers with underlying cardiovascular and respiratory conditions could face increased health risks because of the reduced oxygen availability at high altitudes.
Addis Ababa is situated approximately 2,355 metres, or 7,726 feet, above sea level, where lower atmospheric pressure results in reduced oxygen availability.
The ministry explained that although healthy individuals generally adapt to reduced oxygen levels in high-altitude environments, people with certain existing medical conditions could experience complications.
It therefore urged Nigerians whose health conditions could be aggravated by high altitudes to exercise caution when planning journeys involving transit through the Ethiopian capital.
The advisory also encouraged travellers with underlying medical conditions to obtain appropriate medical advice before undertaking such journeys.
The ministry said the warning was not intended to discourage Nigerians from travelling to or transiting through Addis Ababa, but to ensure that medically vulnerable passengers were aware of the potential risks and took necessary precautions.
“The Federal Government wishes to emphasise that this advisory is not intended to discourage Nigerians from transiting through or travelling to Addis Ababa,” the statement said.
“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 advisory was signed by the ministry's spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, who said the government placed a high premium on the health, safety and wellbeing of Nigerians.
He urged travellers to make informed decisions, particularly where existing medical conditions could increase their vulnerability during journeys.
The ministry added that it remained committed to providing timely information and guidance to Nigerians travelling abroad as part of efforts to protect their welfare and safety.
The warning follows the 16 deaths involving Nigerians transiting through Addis Ababa recorded by the country's diplomatic mission this year. However, the ministry did not provide the identities of those who died, the dates of the incidents or further details about their medical conditions.
It also did not identify the specific airlines or travel routes involved in the reported cases.
The advisory specifically focuses on travellers with pre-existing medical conditions, particularly cardiovascular and respiratory ailments, and urges them to obtain medical guidance before travelling through the Ethiopian capital.
Nigerians planning journeys through Addis Ababa are therefore advised to consider their health circumstances and take appropriate precautions before departure.
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