The Federal Government has warned Nigerians with underlying health conditions to seek medical advice before travelling through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, following reports that 16 Nigerians died in the city this year from complications reportedly linked to its high altitude.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the advisory on Friday after Nigeria’s Diplomatic Mission in Addis Ababa recorded the deaths among Nigerians transiting through the Ethiopian capital.
At about 2,355 metres above sea level, Addis Ababa has lower atmospheric pressure and reduced oxygen availability.
The ministry said these conditions could pose health risks, particularly for travellers with existing medical conditions. It specifically identified people with cardiovascular and respiratory ailments as more vulnerable to the effects of high altitude.
According to the ministry, healthy travellers can generally adapt to lower oxygen levels. However, people with pre-existing conditions may experience complications and should consult medical professionals before making the journey.
The government said the advisory was intended to help medically vulnerable passengers understand the risks and take necessary precautions. It stressed that the warning was not a restriction on travel to Ethiopia or the use of Addis Ababa as a transit point.
“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 ministry said.
The statement was signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians travelling within and outside the country.
The ministry urged travellers to consider their health when planning trips, especially when existing conditions could make them more susceptible to environmental factors.
The advisory follows the reported deaths of 16 Nigerians transiting through Addis Ababa this year. The ministry did not provide further details about the individuals or the circumstances surrounding each death.
Emiabata Deborah Oluwabusiolami
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