US Breaks Silence on Nigeria Visa Ban

The United States has finally addressed growing concerns surrounding the Nigeria visa ban.

Contrary to widespread speculation, the US says the decision to reduce visa validity for Nigerian travelers was not politically motivated.

Instead, the US Mission in Nigeria on Friday, July 11, 2025, confirmed that the Nigeria visa ban was based on technical immigration benchmarks.

They emphasized that it was part of a broader global review of visa protocols and not retaliation against President Bola Tinubu’s involvement in the BRICS summit or the rejection of a deportation agreement involving Venezuelan convicts.

“This visa policy change has nothing to do with BRICS or any deportee deal,” the US Mission stated. “It stems from our standard global review and security updates.”

Earlier this month, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, revealed that the Tinubu administration rejected a proposal by Washington to accept undocumented migrants and prisoners deported from the US. That rejection led many to believe the Nigeria visa ban was a diplomatic response.

Tuggar also hinted that Tinubu’s attendance at the BRICS summit angered the US.

However, US officials insisted that the decision was purely technical. They explained that countries with weak border control systems or outdated migration policies often face such visa limitations.

The Nigeria visa ban now restricts Nigerian business and tourist travelers to a single-entry visa valid for only three months. This marks a significant downgrade from the previous five-year, multiple-entry option.

The policy sparked outrage among Nigerians on social media. Many citizens blamed the Tinubu-led government for poor foreign diplomacy and failure to negotiate reciprocal terms with the US. Critics argued that the government’s silence signaled weakness in international relations.

Although the visa cutback is already in effect, the US hinted at a possible reversal. But that depends on Nigeria improving its internal immigration tracking systems and demonstrating compliance with US security expectations.

Meanwhile, travel analysts warn that the Nigeria visa ban could negatively affect students, entrepreneurs, and professionals who rely on long-term US entry.

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