The Federal Government has advised Nigerians with existing health challenges to be careful when booking connecting flights through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, following reports that 16 citizens died while transiting through the city this year.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed that the deaths were recorded by Nigeria’s diplomatic mission in Ethiopia, with the victims reportedly experiencing medical complications linked to the city’s high altitude.
In a travel warning released on Saturday, the government specifically urged people living with heart and respiratory conditions to consult their doctors before travelling through the Ethiopian capital.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, explained that Addis Ababa’s location, approximately 2,355 metres above sea level, creates an environment with reduced oxygen availability and lower atmospheric pressure.
He noted that such conditions could be dangerous for passengers whose existing health problems make it difficult for their bodies to cope with reduced oxygen levels.
“This year, Nigeria’s Diplomatic Mission in Addis Ababa has recorded 16 deaths involving Nigerians transiting through the city, reportedly linked to health complications associated with high altitudes,” the advisory stated.
The ministry explained that while people without underlying health conditions could generally adjust to the environment, travellers with certain medical conditions might experience serious complications.
“While healthy individuals are generally able to adapt to reduced oxygen levels in high-altitude environments, persons with certain pre-existing medical ailments, particularly cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, may experience increased health risks in such conditions,” the ministry said.
Consequently, Nigerians with medical conditions that could be affected by high-altitude environments were advised to assess the risks before selecting flight routes that involve stopovers in Addis Ababa.
The government, however, clarified that its advisory was not an attempt to discourage Nigerians from visiting Ethiopia or using the city as a transit point.
Rather, the warning was intended to ensure that passengers, especially those considered medically vulnerable, understood the possible dangers and sought appropriate medical guidance before travelling.
“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 added.
The ministry reiterated its commitment to protecting Nigerians outside the country and encouraged travellers to make health-conscious decisions when planning international journeys.
