The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has met with the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, following the recent changes in the US visa policy affecting Nigerian citizens.
The meeting, which took place on Wednesday in Abuja, comes a day after the US government announced a reduction in validity periods and entry allowances for most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerian nationals.
In a statement posted via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Minister Tunji-Ojo stated that the dialogue focused on fostering mutual understanding and ensuring a well-structured visa framework between the two nations.
“Our government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu (GCFR), will continue to ensure strict compliance across the board, including secure travel documents with verified identities and implementing visa overstay management,” the minister said.
US Visa Changes for Nigerians
The US Embassy in Nigeria recently announced that going forward, nearly all non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerian citizens will be single-entry and valid for only three months.
This marks a significant change from previous policies that often granted multiple-entry visas with validity up to two years or more.
The US noted that the adjustment is part of a global visa reciprocity realignment, and mirrors Nigeria’s own visa rules for US visitors, which currently allow for single-entry, three-month visas.
Key Takeaways from the Meeting
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Visa Overstay Management: The Nigerian government will implement stronger measures to reduce overstays by travellers on US visas.
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Information Sharing: The US and Nigerian governments agreed to share relevant criminal and security information to enhance public safety.
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E-Visa Innovation: The US commended Nigeria’s e-visa policy, which aims to streamline and improve the visa application experience for foreign travellers into the country.
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Stronger Collaboration: Both parties agreed on the importance of compliance with visa regulations and promoting responsible travel practices among Nigerian citizens.
The meeting was also attended by Dr. Magdalene Ajani, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, and Kemi Nanna Nandap, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
Tunji-Ojo emphasized that Nigeria remains committed to enhancing the integrity of its travel systems and fostering mutual respect in international engagements, especially with strategic partners like the United States.
