The Nigerian government has advised its citizens, particularly those with pre-existing medical conditions, to avoid transiting through Ethiopia’s primary airport due to its high elevation.
In a statement issued from Abuja, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that 16 Nigerians with underlying health issues died this year while passing through Addis Ababa. Situated at 2,334 meters (7,657 feet) above sea level, the capital is one of the highest in the world. Bole International Airport serves as a critical gateway connecting Africa with the Middle East and Asia, handling millions of passengers annually.
Authorities identified travelers with cardiovascular and respiratory ailments as facing elevated risks. The ministry did not release the identities of the deceased or specific causes of death. It urged individuals with conditions aggravated by high altitudes to “exercise caution” when arranging travel via Addis Ababa and to “obtain appropriate medical guidance” beforehand.
Officials emphasized that the advisory is not intended to deter Nigerians from routing through the Ethiopian capital. Medical experts note that high-altitude environments pose dangers for those with heart and lung diseases because thinner air reduces oxygen absorption into the bloodstream. According to the American Heart Association, this forces the heart to work harder to supply oxygen, potentially triggering heart failure in vulnerable individuals. Research also indicates that even healthy people may experience dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath at such elevations, complications that can further endanger those with pulmonary conditions.
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