The Federal Government has advised Nigerians with pre-existing medical conditions to seek medical advice before travelling through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, following the deaths of 16 Nigerians in transit through the city this year.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a travel advisory issued on Friday, November 13, 2026, said the deaths were reportedly linked to health complications associated with the city’s high altitude.

The advisory, signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, noted that Addis Ababa sits about 2,355 metres (7,726 feet) above sea level, where lower atmospheric pressure reduces oxygen availability.

The ministry urged travellers with underlying health conditions to consult medical professionals before embarking on journeys that involve transit through the Ethiopian capital.

It said healthy individuals can generally adapt to the lower oxygen levels, but people with certain pre-existing ailments, particularly cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, may face increased health risks.

The ministry said Nigerians whose health conditions can worsen at high altitudes should be careful when planning journeys through the city and seek appropriate medical guidance before travelling.

The Federal Government stressed that the advisory is not meant to discourage Nigerians from transiting through or travelling to Addis Ababa. It said the aim is to ensure that people who may be medically vulnerable to high-altitude effects are informed and take precautions before setting out.

The ministry said the government places a high premium on the health, safety and wellbeing of Nigerians and urged all travellers to make informed decisions, particularly where existing medical conditions may increase their vulnerability. It added that it remains committed to providing timely information and guidance to Nigerians travelling abroad. (The Nation, excluding headline)