BREAKING: Tinubu Gives Order as FG Reveals Two Reasons Behind U.S. Visa Review for Nigerians
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered all relevant federal agencies to strengthen compliance with Nigeria’s international obligations, following the United States government’s decision to reduce visa validity for Nigerian citizens from five years to three months.
TJ News Nigeriareports that the U.S. government officially notified Nigeria that the change was prompted by two key concerns: the high rate of visa overstays by Nigerian nationals and difficulty accessing reliable applicant records from Nigerian authorities.
U.S. Now Issuing 3-Month Single-Entry Visas to Nigerians
Previously, Nigerian citizens were eligible for five-year multiple-entry visas to the United States. That policy has now been replaced with a single-entry visa valid for only three months, significantly tightening travel conditions for Nigerians.
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According to Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the U.S. described the change as part of its routine global visa reciprocity review process, which includes periodic adjustments to visa validity periods and permitted entries.
“The U.S. government has communicated that the decision was based on two principal factors: the current rate of visa overstays by Nigerian nationals and the need for reliable access to their records,” Onanuga stated on Tuesday.
Visa Overstays & Identity Verification at Core of U.S. Decision
TJ News Nigeria gathered that beyond the public explanation of reciprocity, U.S. officials cited specific issues such as:
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- The frequency of Nigerians overstaying their visas, a violation of U.S. immigration laws.
- Lack of seamless access to verifiable records of Nigerian visa applicants, which complicates vetting processes.
The move aligns with the U.S. State Department’s broader strategy to enforce security-based visa screening and immigration enforcement, especially in high-risk categories.
Tinubu Orders Federal Agencies to Improve Record Systems
In response, President Tinubu has issued a directive mandating all relevant government agencies to:
- Ensure full compliance with Nigeria’s obligations under international law
- Improve record-sharing cooperation with foreign governments
- Strengthen identity authentication systems for Nigerians seeking foreign consular services
“President Tinubu has directed that federal agencies work collaboratively to support our global partners in verifying the identities of Nigerian nationals abroad,” said Onanuga.
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Tinubu Urges Nigerians Abroad to Respect Host Country Laws
The President also appealed to Nigerians living and working overseas to adhere strictly to the laws of their host countries.
“The President calls on all Nigerians to respect the immigration regulations of their host countries and to uphold the integrity of the permits and privileges granted to them under the laws of those jurisdictions,” the statement read.
Nigeria Will Not Retaliate U.S. Visa Policy Change
Despite the new restrictions on Nigerian travelers, the Federal Government has confirmed that Nigeria will not reciprocate the U.S. decision.
“Nigeria will continue to issue five-year multiple-entry visas to American nationals,” Onanuga confirmed, dismissing suggestions of a tit-for-tat diplomatic move.
No Official Communication Yet from UAE on Transit Visa Changes
Onanuga also addressed speculations about new visa restrictions by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), clarifying that no official communication has been received from the Emirati authorities regarding any revised transit visa rules for Nigerian citizens.
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“Regarding the new conditions for issuing UAE transit visas to Nigerian nationals, the federal government notes that it has not received any formal communication from the UAE authorities,” he said.
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