The Presidency has shed light on the reasons behind the recent decision by the United States government to reduce visa validity for Nigerian nationals, attributing it to concerns over visa overstays and access to applicant records.
The U.S. government recently announced that it would now issue three-month single-entry visas to Nigerian applicants, a sharp departure from the previous five-year multiple-entry visas. While the U.S. Embassy initially cited reciprocity as the reason, it later clarified that the move was part of a global review of its visa processes.
However, in a statement released by President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency revealed further details provided by the U.S. authorities.
“The United States Government has officially communicated that its decision was based on two principal factors: the current rate of visa overstays by Nigerian nationals and the need for reliable access to their records,” the statement read in part.
The statement added that the U.S. explained the adjustment as a component of its broader global visa reciprocity process, which is “routinely reviewed and subject to change, including the number of permitted entries and validity durations.”
Onanuga emphasized that some Nigerians overstaying their visas, along with the U.S. government’s desire to access specific records held by Nigerian authorities, were at the heart of the decision.
In response, President Tinubu has directed all federal agencies to ensure strict compliance with Nigeria’s international obligations and to strengthen intergovernmental collaboration in verifying the identities of individuals seeking consular services abroad.
“The President calls on all Nigerians to respect the immigration regulations of their host countries and to uphold the integrity of the permits and privileges granted to them under the laws of those jurisdictions,” the statement added.
Despite the U.S. policy shift, the Nigerian government affirmed its commitment to continue issuing five-year multiple-entry visas to American citizens.
Onanuga also addressed concerns about changes to the United Arab Emirates’ visa policies for Nigerians, stating: “Regarding the new conditions for issuing UAE transit visas to Nigerian nationals, the Federal Government notes that it has not received any formal communication from the UAE authorities regarding a revised visa policy.”
See the full statement below:
ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN VISA ISSUANCE POLICIES BY THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
The Federal Government of Nigeria reaffirms its unwavering commitment to maintaining and strengthening the longstanding and cordial diplomatic relations with the Governments of the United States of America and the United Arab Emirates.
The recent changes in visa issuance policies affecting Nigerian citizens by these two countries have received the attention of the Federal government. Relevant Nigerian Ministries, Departments and Agencies are actively engaging to ensure that the concerns raised are addressed through appropriate and constructive channels.
The United States Government has officially communicated that its decision was based on two principal factors: the current rate of visa overstays by Nigerian nationals and the need for reliable access to their records. It further explained that the visa policy adjustment is part of its global visa reciprocity process, which is routinely reviewed and subject to change, including the number of permitted entries and validity durations.
In response, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed all federal agencies to ensure full compliance with Nigeria’s international obligations and to strengthen inter-governmental cooperation in authenticating the identities of individuals seeking consular services abroad. The President calls on all Nigerians to respect the immigration regulations of their host countries and to uphold the integrity of the permits and privileges granted to them under the laws of those jurisdictions.
Regarding the new conditions for issuing UAE transit visas to Nigerian nationals, the Federal Government notes that it has not received any formal communication from the UAE authorities regarding a revised visa policy. However, it is observed that visa issuance is currently progressing in a gradual and orderly manner.
The President appreciates the continued cooperation of the Government of the United Arab Emirates, which has remained constructive and engaged with Nigerian authorities. Any genuine concerns raised are being addressed through the appropriate channels, in a spirit of mutual respect and collaboration.
The President assures all Nigerians that his administration will continue to pursue the best possible outcomes for citizens abroad, ensuring that Nigerians can travel, work, and live with dignity and respect in any part of the world, in line with the Tinubu administration’s 4-D Foreign Policy agenda and its Diaspora plank.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to deepening Nigeria’s valued bilateral relations with the Governments of the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
BAYO ONANUGA
Special Adviser to the President,
(Information & Strategy)
June 15, 2025
