The Federal Government has raised concerns over the deaths of 16 Nigerians transiting through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, this year, warning that the city's high altitude could pose serious health risks to travellers with underlying medical conditions.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a travel advisory issued on Friday, urging Nigerians with cardiovascular and respiratory ailments to seek medical advice before undertaking journeys involving stopovers in the Ethiopian capital.
According to the ministry, Nigeria's Diplomatic Mission in Addis Ababa recorded 16 deaths involving Nigerians transiting through the city in 2026, with the fatalities reportedly linked to health complications associated with high altitude.
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The ministry's spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, who signed the advisory, explained that Addis Ababa is located approximately 2,355 metres above sea level, where lower atmospheric pressure reduces oxygen availability.
It noted that although healthy individuals generally adapt to the reduced oxygen levels, travellers with certain pre-existing conditions could face increased health risks.
“Persons with certain pre-existing medical ailments, particularly cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, may experience increased health risks in such conditions,” the ministry stated.
It advised Nigerians whose medical conditions could be aggravated by high altitudes to exercise caution when planning journeys through the city.
“Travellers with underlying medical conditions are also urged to obtain appropriate medical guidance before undertaking such journeys,” the advisory added.
The ministry stressed that the warning was not intended to discourage Nigerians from travelling to or transiting through Addis Ababa.
Rather, it said the advisory was aimed at ensuring that medically vulnerable passengers understood the potential health implications of high-altitude environments and took necessary precautions before travelling.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the health and safety of Nigerians travelling abroad, adding that it would continue to provide timely information to help citizens make informed travel decisions.
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