Federal Government Urges U.S. to Reverse Three-Month Visa Limit for Nigerians

The Federal Government of Nigeria has appealed to the United States to reconsider its recent decision to restrict non-immigrant visas for Nigerians to a single entry valid for only three months. This call was made on Tuesday by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who described the policy as unfair and non-reciprocal, considering that U.S. citizens continue to receive multi-entry Nigerian visas.

Speaking further, Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, emphasized that Nigeria has made significant progress in areas of document security, information sharing, and immigration control — key issues previously raised by U.S. authorities. He stressed that the new restrictions could negatively impact diplomatic ties, trade, education, and people-to-people exchanges between both countries.

The U.S. government, through the Department of State, defended the change as part of a global visa reciprocity review aimed at aligning with its security and immigration standards. Nonetheless, Nigerian officials urged for continued dialogue and mutual respect, calling for a visa regime that reflects the longstanding relationship between the two nations.