By Peter Omopo
Abuja, July 9, 2025 — The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed strong concern over the recent decision by the United States to tighten visa restrictions for Nigerian citizens, calling for a reconsideration of the policy in the spirit of mutual respect and longstanding diplomatic ties.
The U.S. government recently announced a revision to its visa reciprocity schedule for Nigeria, reducing the validity period of several categories of non-immigrant visas — including B1/B2 (business and tourism), F (student), and J (exchange visitor) — to just three months with a single entry, down from longer validity periods previously granted.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the Nigerian government was deeply concerned about the implications of the policy shift, especially given the historically cordial and cooperative relationship between both nations.
“The Federal Government views this development with concern and keen interest, particularly given the longstanding cordial relations and strong people-to-people ties between our two countries,” the statement read.
Ebienfa emphasized that the move appears disproportionate and could hinder economic, educational, and cultural exchanges between Nigerians and Americans.
“In the spirit of mutual respect and constructive dialogue, the Federal Government of Nigeria calls on the United States Government to reconsider the new visa restrictions,” the ministry added.
The statement also noted that Nigeria remains committed to engaging with the U.S. through diplomatic channels to resolve the matter and ensure that both nations continue to benefit from their decades-long partnership.
The U.S. authorities have not issued any further clarification regarding the reason for the new policy, though such visa revisions are typically based on reciprocal treatment or security-related considerations.
As the development continues to generate public debate, analysts warn that the restrictions could adversely affect academic pursuits, international collaborations, and family ties, especially for Nigerians seeking short-term travel to the United States.
