The U.S. ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, says the recent visa restrictions announced by the American government are designed to strengthen security procedures, not to target Nigerians.

Mr Mills gave the clarification at a news conference on Sunday in Abuja during the visit of a U.S. congressional delegation to Nigeria.

He said the U.S. presidential proclamation, which would take effect on January 1, 2026, and affect certain visa categories, was part of broader measures to secure U.S. borders and protect American communities.

“The focus of the visa review is on ensuring proper vetting and credible information in the visa process, not on penalising Nigerians,” Mr Mills explained.

According to him, the proclamation clearly specifies the visa categories that may be affected and outlines exemptions for certain groups.

He listed the exemptions, including holders of official and diplomatic passports, as well as individuals travelling for religious work.

The ambassador urged visa applicants and members of the public to consult the U.S. Embassy’s official website for detailed information on the proclamation, affected visa categories and available exemptions.

He also urged those with specific enquiries to use the embassy’s designated communication channels for further guidance.

Also speaking, the leader of the U.S. delegation, Bill Huizenga, said visa reviews and restrictions were routine tools used to encourage compliance and cooperation, rather than punitive actions targeting citizens.

Mr Huizenga said the focus of such measures was primarily on government systems and processes, not on the Nigerian people, adding that similar reviews were routinely applied in different parts of the world.

The U.S. government reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining strong people-to-people ties with Nigeria while announcing visa reviews and restrictions.

It described the visa measures as part of a wider engagement aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation while addressing shared security concerns.