Tinubu govt ignores U.S. concerns about Nigerian draconian visa policy, asks Trump to halt new three-month, single-entry rule
President Bola Tinubu’s government has urged the U.S. government to reconsider its visa restrictions which reduced the five-year visa policy for Nigerians seeking non-immigrant and non-official trips to America to just three months, stating the move is “misaligned with the principles of reciprocity.”
The ministry of foreign affairs, in a statement by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, reacted to the United States’ new visa policy, which revises “its visa reciprocity schedule for Nigerian citizens, limiting the validity of non-immigrant visas including B1/B2, F and J categories to three months with single entry.”
The statement reads: “The decision appears misaligned with the principles of reciprocity, equity, and mutual respect that should guide bilateral engagements between friendly nations.”
It added, “While acknowledging the sovereign right of every country to determine its immigration policies, Nigeria respectfully urges the United States to reconsider this decision in the spirit of partnership, cooperation, and shared global responsibilities.”
The Nigerian ministry of foreign affairs stated that the policy would negatively impact Nigerians, saying, “Nigeria notes that this restriction places a disproportionate burden on Nigerian travellers, students seeking academic opportunities, professionals engaging in legitimate business, families visiting loved ones and individuals contributing to cultural and educational exchanges.”
Assuring Nigerians of ongoing engagement with U.S. authorities on the matter, the statement said, “Diplomatic engagements are ongoing, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains committed to pursuing a resolution that reflects fairness and upholds the values of mutual interest.”
This comes in reaction to a memo released by the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria on Tuesday evening, stating that President Donald Trump’s administration is reducing the five-year visa to only three months to curb visa overstays.
It noted that visas issued before Tuesday, July 8, remain valid and will not be affected by this policy.
Non-immigrant categories, which include tourism and business visas, constitute the substantial bulk of annual approvals for Nigerian citizens.
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