The Federal Government has called on the United States of America to consider the long-standing relationship between the two countries and reverse its Visa restrictions on Nigeria.
It was learnt that the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, made the call on Tuesday while receiving the American Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Leonard, and her team.
According to a statement by the Director of Press in the ministry, Mohammed Manga, the minister told the US officials that Nigeria had complied and addressed concerns raised.
The statement quoted him as saying, “The Government of Nigeria believes that the cooperation with the United States of America will help address Immigration and Consular issues in control of persons seeking to enter both countries through issuance of visa, passport and other travel documents.”
Aregbesola said as the Chairman, Presidential Committee on the Citizen Data Management and Harmonisation, he was bold to say that Nigeria had complied with most of the issues, including, but not limited to the uploading of over 700 stolen/lost passports on the Nigeria Immigration Service’s Database, stressing that Nigeria is not a pariah nation.
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He stated that Nigeria was too important an ally of America to deserve such a sanction, adding that the country should be commended rather than sanctioned.
The former Osun governor appealed to the US to review its Visa Validity to Nigerians from two years limit to at least five years as well as establish a third office in Nigeria in reciprocity with the country which had establishments in Atlanta, New York and Washington DC.
He emphasised the need for both countries to strengthen the Security Governance Initiative between his ministry and the American Embassy through proper enlightenment and awareness creation, adding that the relationship between both nations must be mutually beneficial.
The Minister assured that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), was not only committed to ensuring internal security and citizenship integrity of Nigerians and foreigners alike but also to the fight against terrorism and transnational crimes and criminalities.
‘We are positive that visa restriction is a temporary one, it will soon be put behind us,” the Minister reiterated.
He hinted that the President would commission the Nigeria Immigration Data Technology Centre before the end of the year, as part of the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that her data is linked with security agencies globally.
Corroborating the minister, the Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammad Babandede, said the country had improved on her border management through Migration Information and Data Analysis System.
Earlier, Leonard said the US team was in the Ministry to share ideas on possible ways of addressing information-sharing gap between the two nations.
She added that America had a very broad collaboration with Nigeria, which covered Immigration, safety issues and security.
The US envoy assured of her country’s determination to continue to collaborate with Nigeria, so as to further strengthen their relationship.
