The Federal Government has appealed to the United States to review its recent visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens, describing the new policy as concerning and inconsistent with the principles of mutual respect and reciprocity.
Recall that the US had earlier revised its visa reciprocity schedule for Nigeria, reducing the validity of certain non-immigrant visa categories—including B1/B2 (business and tourism), F (student), and J (exchange visitor)—to a single entry valid for three months. The new rule took effect on July 8, 2025.
Reacting to the development, the Federal Government expressed its disappointment in a statement released on Wednesday by Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The Federal Government views this development with concern and keen interest, particularly given the longstanding cordial relations and strong people-to-people ties between our two countries,” the statement read.
It noted that the decision would impact a broad spectrum of Nigerians, including students pursuing education, business professionals, and families making legitimate visits to the United States.
“The decision appears misaligned with the principles of reciprocity, equity, and mutual respect that should guide bilateral engagements between friendly nations,” Ebienfa stated.
While acknowledging the sovereign rights of nations to determine their immigration policies, the Federal Government stressed that such decisions should be rooted in fairness and reflect the cooperative spirit of international diplomacy.
“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 statement added.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that diplomatic consultations are ongoing to resolve the issue through dialogue.
