The Nigerian Presidency has disclosed the reasons behind the recent decision by the United States government to reduce visa validity for Nigerian applicants from five-year multiple-entry to three-month single-entry visas.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency explained that the decision was primarily influenced by two factors: the high rate of visa overstays by Nigerian nationals and the U.S. government’s need for more reliable access to visa applicants’ records.
Although the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria initially attributed the change to the principle of reciprocity—stating that the visa policy adjustment was to match Nigeria’s own visa terms—the embassy later clarified that the reduction is part of a broader global review of visa processing and issuance policies.
“The United States is concerned about the growing number of Nigerian nationals who overstay their visas. Additionally, there are issues with verifying and accessing accurate records of applicants,” Onanuga noted.
The Presidency assured Nigerians that it is engaging with U.S. authorities to address the concerns raised and work toward the restoration of longer visa validity, emphasizing the importance of the longstanding diplomatic and economic relationship between both nations.
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