Presidency Debunks Claims Of Visa Retaliation Against U.S. Citizens

The Presidency has refuted the claims that the Federal Government has stopped the issuance of five-year multiple-entry visas for U.S. citizens, describing such claims as false and misleading.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Tinubu administration reaffirmed that it has not altered its visa policy toward American citizens, and continues to grant five-year non-immigrant visas in line with existing bilateral agreements and the principle of reciprocity.

“Contrary to misinformation and fake news circulating online, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has never stopped issuing five-year multiple-entry visas for U.S. citizens”. 

“Immediately after assuming office, President Tinubu’s administration issued a service-wide directive that Nigeria implement all bilateral agreements with other nations and adhere to the principle of reciprocity in diplomatic relations”, the statement read.

The clarification follows recent online commentary linking a change in the United States’ non-immigrant visa issuance to Nigeria to an alleged retaliatory move by the Nigerian government. 

However, the Presidency stressed that the U.S. government’s reference to reciprocity in its current policy does not reflect the actual facts on the ground.

“The Nigerian government has not deviated from granting U.S. citizens a five-year multiple-entry non-immigrant visa, just as the U.S. has continued to grant the same to Nigerians,” the statement affirmed.

According to the Presidency, a 90-day single-entry visa validity period applies only to the newly introduced electronic visa (e-Visa), which is distinct from the traditional visa categories and was designed to streamline entry for tourists and short-term business travelers who prefer not to undergo the standard embassy application process. 

“The e-visa replaces the now obsolete visa-on-arrival, which was inefficient and often abused for extortion. The e-visa is a fast, online process that does not require the applicant to visit the embassy. Applicants receive the e-visa within 48 hours of submitting their application,” Onanuga explained.

He added that the e-visa initiative is part of President Tinubu’s broader strategy to promote investment, tourism, and the ease of doing business in Nigeria, while aligning with global best practices. 

Many countries around the world, he noted, have adopted similar digital visa systems.

However, he noted that while Nigeria currently offers an e-visa option to U.S. citizens, the same gesture has not been reciprocated by the U.S. for Nigerian applicants. 

Despite this, the Presidency emphasized that it remains committed to diplomatic dialogue and cooperation with Washington.

“In the spirit of cooperation, mutual understanding, and partnership that have characterised the relationship between Nigeria and the United States over the decades, the Tinubu-led administration will continue to dialogue and engage with U.S. authorities to resolve any issues that have led to the recent developments,” the statement concluded.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also weighed in on the matter, expressing its willingness to continue engagements with U.S. officials to ensure that any changes in visa policies reflect mutual respect and fairness in line with the long-standing bilateral relations between both nations.