The United States Mission in Nigeria has dismissed claims that its recent decision to shorten visa validity for Nigerian citizens is a retaliatory move tied to diplomatic tensions over asylum policies. Instead, the Mission clarified that the adjustment is part of a broader global review of visa practices.
In a statement issued on Friday, the U.S. Mission explained that the reduction in the validity period for most nonimmigrant visas issued to Nigerians stems from an ongoing worldwide evaluation of visa regimes, anchored on “technical and security benchmarks.”
“This reduction is not the result of any nation’s stance on third-country deportees, the introduction of e-visa policies, or affiliations with groups like BRICS,” the embassy stated.
“We value our longstanding partnership with Nigeria and remain committed to working closely with both the Nigerian public and government officials,” it added.
The clarification follows media reports linking the updated visa rules to Nigeria’s reported refusal to host asylum seekers awaiting U.S. immigration processing—a proposal believed to have originated during the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump. The plan mirrored arrangements in which countries like Rwanda and Djibouti agreed to serve as temporary hosts for third-country migrants.
Under the revised policy, which came into effect on July 8, the validity of non-diplomatic visas for most Nigerian applicants has been reduced to three months, with visas now limited to single-entry. Although the U.S. government described the change as part of a global “reciprocity review,” diplomatic observers suggest that Nigeria’s rejection of the asylum arrangement may have influenced both the timing and implementation of the policy shift.
Reacting to the development, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, condemned the policy as “unfair and disproportionate,” while acknowledging Washington’s sovereign right to enforce immigration controls.
“We call for a fair resolution in the spirit of partnership and shared global responsibilities,” Ebienfa said.
