Posted by Thandiubani on Fri 11th Jul, 2025 - tori.ng
In a statement released Thursday, Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga dismissed the reports as false.
The Presidency has clarified reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the suspension of five-year multiple-entry visas for United States citizens.
FG debunked the claim which followed recent changes by the U.S. government reducing visa validity and entry limits for most Nigerian non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visa applicants.
In a statement released Thursday, Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga dismissed the reports as false, saying no such directive came from President Tinubu.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has never stopped issuing five-year multiple-entry visas for U.S. citizens. This continues in line with existing bilateral agreements and the principle of reciprocity,” he stated.
Onanuga noted that after assuming office, Tinubu directed all federal agencies to respect international agreements and uphold diplomatic protocols.
He referenced an earlier statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs addressing the U.S. visa changes, which reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to mutual respect in its international relations.
“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 added.
Onanuga said Nigeria remains committed to engaging with the U.S. to address the new visa restrictions in a fair and respectful manner.
He also challenged the U.S. government’s claim that its policy changes were based on reciprocity, saying it does not reflect the actual position.
“The Nigerian government has not deviated from granting U.S. citizens a 5-year multiple-entry non-immigrant visa, just as the U.S. has continued to grant the same to Nigerians,” he clarified.
Addressing concerns over Nigeria’s new 90-day single-entry visa policy, Onanuga explained that the measure applies only to newly introduced e-Visas for tourists and business travellers. He described the e-Visa as a faster, more efficient process that replaces the old visa-on-arrival system.
“The e-Visa is a fast, online process that does not require the applicant to go to the embassy. Applicants receive the e-Visa within 48 hours of submitting their application,” he said.
He added that the e-Visa system is part of President Tinubu’s wider reforms to improve the ease of doing business, boost investment, and encourage tourism.
Although Nigeria has offered this streamlined visa to U.S. citizens, Onanuga noted that the United States has yet to extend a similar arrangement to Nigerians.
“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,” he said.