Tinubu orders agencies to ensure strict compliance in international obligations as US welcomes directive
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered all relevant federal agencies to ensure strict compliance with Nigeria’s international obligations, following the United States government’s decision to reduce visa validity for Nigerian citizens.
The U.S. government, which previously granted five-year multiple-entry visas to Nigerians, has now limited them to single-entry visas valid for three months.
In a statement released on Tuesday, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said the U.S. officially communicated its reasons for the policy shift to the Nigerian government.
“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,” Mr. Onanuga stated.
He further explained that the U.S. described the measure as part of its routine global visa reciprocity process.
“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,” Onanuga added.
Onanuga’s statement revealed that visa overstays by Nigerian nationals and the U.S. government’s difficulty accessing applicant records held by Nigerian authorities were the core issues influencing the decision.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has mandated all federal agencies to enhance cooperation with international partners and improve identity authentication for Nigerians seeking consular services abroad.
“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,” Onanuga stated.
The President also called on Nigerians living abroad to conduct themselves lawfully.
“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.”
Notedly, Nigeria has opted not to reciprocate the U.S. decision. The federal government has confirmed it will continue to issue five-year multiple-entry visas to American nationals.
Onanuga also addressed speculation regarding visa restrictions from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He noted that the Nigerian government has not received any official notice of new UAE transit visa policies for Nigerian travellers.
“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,” he said.
Meanwhile, the government of the United States of America has reacted to the directive
The US Mission in Nigeria in response to a post on X by Bayo Onanuga said it appreciates the federal government’s efforts to address the issues arising due to reciprocal policies between both countries.
The Mission assured that the US government is committed to continuing the expansion of the bilateral relations between the country and Nigeria.
It also stated that it is focused and committed to ensuring that both nations remain safer, stronger and prosperous.
The statement said, “The U.S. government appreciates the Government of Nigeria’s collaborative efforts with the U.S. Mission to address these U.S. visa-related issues as we continue to expand our bilateral relations by making both our countries safer, stronger, and more prosperous.”
