In a shocking development, the United States Embassy in Nigeria has reportedly begun quietly revoking valid visas belonging to Nigerian citizens, leaving many professionals, entrepreneurs, and families stranded.
The revelation was made by Olufemi Soneye, former Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, in an article titled “The Quiet Revocation: Why is the U.S. Silently Cancelling Nigerians’ Visas?”
According to Soneye, several affected Nigerians have confirmed receiving official letters from the embassy in recent weeks, instructing them to submit their passports to the consulate in Lagos or Abuja. Once submitted, their visas were cancelled without further explanation.
The notices, citing Title 22, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 41.122, vaguely stated that “new information became available after the visa was issued.” However, no additional details, evidence, or avenues for appeal were provided.
Among those affected are:
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A prominent journalist,
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The head of a federal government agency scheduled to deliver an international address,
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An Abuja-based entrepreneur with a spotless travel record.
Others reportedly include frequent travellers, professionals, and families who depend on visas for education, business, medical treatment, and family reunions.
Some travellers only discovered their visas had been revoked at airports and boarding gates. A few were even briefly detained by immigration officials before being turned back. Many were forced to cancel trips, refund tickets, and explain sudden absences from critical engagements.
Despite the gravity of the situation, neither the U.S. Embassy nor the Nigerian government has issued a public statement, leaving affected citizens in confusion and uncertainty.
While those impacted insist they have never overstayed visas or violated immigration rules, the wave of cancellations has sparked fears of a targeted tightening of U.S. visa policy against Nigerians.
