Sixteen Nigerian citizens have died in Addis Ababa this year after experiencing health complications linked to the Ethiopian capital’s high-altitude terrain, prompting the Federal Government to issue an urgent travel health advisory.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed the fatalities in a statement released on Friday, November 13, 2026, and signed by its spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi. The advisory was officially issued with reference number MFA/PR/2026/297 by Nigeria’s Diplomatic Mission in Addis Ababa.
Addis Ababa sits at an elevation of approximately 2,355 metres, or 7,726 feet, above sea level, placing it among the highest capitals in the world. Bole International Airport operates at roughly 2,334 metres. This elevation is comparable to locations such as Nyahururu at 2,303 metres and Limuru in the Nairobi metropolitan area.
The ministry explained that lower atmospheric pressure at this elevation results in reduced oxygen availability. While healthy individuals generally adapt to thinner air within a few days, passengers with underlying health conditions face heightened risks. Symptoms can range from mild discomfort, such as fatigue, persistent headaches, and shortness of breath, to severe, life-threatening medical emergencies including cerebral oedema.
According to figures published by Nairametrics in December 2025, Addis Ababa Bole International Airport secured the number three spot among Africa’s busiest hubs based on departing seats, having logged 1.17 million seats—a 5.5% rise over the 1.11 million seats counted in December 2024. Addis Ababa continues to serve as a major transit hub for international passengers, despite occasional network disruptions.
Because of health hazards linked to the high-altitude landscape of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Nigerian Federal Government strongly encourages travellers—particularly those carrying prior medical conditions—to proceed with care and obtain proper medical counsel prior to planning trips that require transiting through the city.
“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 diplomatic mission in Addis Ababa recorded the 16 deaths over the course of the year, tying the incidents directly to high-altitude physiological stress.
Medical experts and official guidance note that standard pressurized aircraft cabins generally operate at an equivalent altitude of 6,000 to 7,000 feet, while newer composite-fuselage aircraft like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 operate around 5,000 to 6,000 feet, with Federal Aviation Administration rules permitting cabin pressure altitudes up to 8,000 feet at maximum operating altitude. Consequently, spending extended layover periods at a high-altitude ground elevation of 7,726 feet prolongs reduced oxygen exposure for susceptible travellers.
Despite the figures, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the guidance does not constitute a travel ban or an attempt to deter citizens from utilizing the transit corridor. Neither Ethiopian Airlines nor the Ethiopian government had commented publicly on the Nigerian advisory by Saturday evening.
“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.” Oluwafemi Adeniyi, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson
The government added that it places a high priority on the health and safety of citizens travelling abroad, urging passengers to obtain appropriate medical guidance before undertaking trips involving high-altitude transit.
