The Federal Government of Nigeria has criticised the United States over its decision to issue new visa restrictions for Nigerian citizens, describing the move as “disproportionate burden on Nigerian travellers”.
This was issued in a statement, dated Wednesday, July 9 2025, by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
The U.S. government on Monday, July 7 2025, slashed the validity period for most non-immigrant Nigerian visas to three months and limited them to single entry.
The change affects non-immigrant visa categories such as B1/B2 (business/tourism), F (students), and J (exchange visitors), which will now be issued for only three months and allow just one entry into the United States.
Nigeria’s Government Reaction
In the statement released by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Nigeria is now calling for a reconsideration, citing the negative impact on students, professionals, and families.
“The attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria has been drawn to the recent decision by the United States Government to revise its visa reciprocity schedule for Nigerian citizens,” the statement reads.
The ministry argued that the decision does not reflect the principles of reciprocity, mutual respect, or equity, adding that it affects students, professionals, and families who maintain legitimate ties to the U.S.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria respectfully urges the United States to reconsider this decision in the spirit of partnership, cooperation, and shared global responsibilities,” the statement added.
U.S. Response
Despite the policy change, the U.S. Department of State maintains that the U.S.-Nigeria relationship remains strong.
“The United States values its longstanding relationship with Nigeria and remains committed to expanding our partnership based on mutual respect, shared security priorities, and economic opportunity,” the department said.
Nigeria’s Minister of Interior Speaks
Nigeria’s federal government is also reinforcing international cooperation on immigration and visa standards.
On Wednesday July 9, 2025, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, held a meeting with the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard M. Mills Jr., to discuss the recently updated U.S. visa procedures for Nigerian nationals.
“I held a constructive meeting with US Ambassador Richard M. Mills Jr. today, to discuss the recently introduced visa procedures for Nigerian nationals,” Tunji-Ojo said in a Facebook post.
According to the Minister, the dialogue included the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, and Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nanna Nandap.
“The discussions centred on visa reciprocity, with Ambassador Mills Jr. providing valuable insights into the revised protocol and its alignment with established practices to uphold the integrity of the visa process,” Tunji-Ojo added.
“The Ministry of Interior, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the US Mission in Nigeria agreed to strengthen collaboration, emphasizing adherence to visa regulations and promoting responsible travel practices among Nigerian citizens.”
According to the Minister, this renewed cooperation underscores how Nigeria’s internal reforms are aligning with global best practices and restoring confidence in the country’s travel and identity systems.
What This Means
The new U.S rule means Nigerian applicants may need to apply more frequently and pay additional fees for each trip, a move experts say could discourage legitimate travel and complicate academic and professional engagements.
Students will be particularly affected, as the short duration could disrupt study plans and force repeated visa applications. Business professionals attending conferences or conducting trade could also face tighter scheduling constraints.
What’s Next
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it remains committed to pursuing a resolution that is fair and consistent with the long-standing relationship between both nations.
In the meantime, affected citizens are advised to monitor any further policy changes that may impact their travel plans.
Talking Points
The recent decision by the U.S. government to restrict Nigerian non-immigrant visas to single-entry, three-month validity places a tangible strain on mobility and opportunity for Nigerians.
At Techparley, we recognise how this visa restrictions could hinder educational, cultural, and business exchanges, especially for students, professionals, and frequent travellers who rely on predictable access to the U.S.
What’s most striking is that this comes despite the strong historical and diplomatic ties between both countries. The restriction appears to undercut the spirit of reciprocity and partnership that has guided U.S.-Nigeria relations for decades.
If sustained, this policy risks widening the gap between access and equity in global mobility, disproportionately affecting applicants from developing economies like Nigeria.
We believe that active diplomatic engagement, transparency, and multilateral dialogue are critical now, not just to reverse this decision but to rebuild trust and mutual respect in the visa process.
As Nigeria pushes for reconsideration, it is essential for both nations to centre their people-to-people ties, which have long been the backbone of bilateral cooperation.
