The federal government has expressed concern over the recent decision by the United States to impose tighter visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens, describing the move as disproportionate and calling for a reconsideration in the spirit of mutual respect and cooperation. The US introduced significant changes to its non-immigrant visa rules for Nigeria, reducing both the validity period and entry frequency for most Nigerian travelers. Effective from July 8, the US Department of State announced that nearly all non-immigrant, non-diplomatic visas granted to Nigerian citizens will now be limited to single entry and valid for only three months.
According to the department, this move is part of a “global reciprocity realignment,” marking a major departure from earlier visa arrangements that typically allowed multiple entries spanning two years or more.
This adjustment mirrors Nigeria’s own visa policy, which grants S travelers single-entry visas valid for three months. Reacting to the change, the Nigerian government expressed concern, calling the decision “disproportionate” and urging the US to reconsider.
It also warned that the new policy could negatively impact “cultural and educational exchanges that have long been a foundation of US-Nigeria relations.” While the US government maintains that visa rules are “subject to ongoing review,” it noted that future changes will depend on shifting “diplomatic, security, and immigration benchmarks.”
In an official statement, US authorities said they were working closely with Nigeria to ensure compliance with key international requirements, including Issuing secure travel documents Reducing visa overstays Sharing criminal and security-related information “for public safety purposes”
The US also introduced additional scrutiny for visa applicants, stating that all foreign applicants, including Nigerians, would now have their social media accounts reviewed for “any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States.”
Despite the new restrictions, Nigeria remains a major source of international students in the US. As highlighted in the 2024 Open Doors report, Nigeria ranked seventh globally and first in Africa for student enrollments, with a 13.5% increase from the previous year. However, reactions to the new policy have been mixed. Bashir Ahmad, a former aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, suggested the US move was more political than procedural.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he claimed President Bola Tinubu’s attendance at the recent Brics summit in Brazil may have prompted the shift. “This is not solely about reciprocity. Rather, it appears to reflect growing US discomfort with Nigeria's increasing global realignment, particularly the warm reception we are receiving from the Brics,” he wrote.
Earlier in March, the US mission in Nigeria issued a stern reminder that visa overstays could result in lifetime travel bans or even criminal charges. Although there is no official data on the number of Nigerians who overstay US visas, concerns are mounting that visa approvals could decline under that tough immigration stance associated with former President Donald Trump.
Many young Nigerians still dream of leaving the country, a trend popularly called Japa (which means “to escape” in Yoruba), with the US remaining one of the most sought-after destinations.