By mercy Peter
The Federal Government of Nigeria and the United States Embassy have jointly clarified the issue of the new visa restrictions on Nigerians.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Abuja on Friday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the public sensitization campaign is aimed at equipping Nigerians with the right information during the visa application process.
He said “The United States remains one of the most frequented destinations for Nigerians, reflecting the deep and long-standing ties between our two nations,”
“With recent changes in visa rules and consular procedures, it is important that citizens are well-informed to ensure a smooth and compliant application process.”
Minister Idris highlighted that for decades, Nigerians have travelled to the U.S. for education, business, healthcare, tourism, and family visits, a pattern that underscores the significance of U.S.-Nigeria bilateral relations. He said the collaboration with the U.S. Mission is part of broader efforts to promote transparency and prevent misinformation.
He commended the U.S. Embassy for proactively engaging the public and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to building strong international partnerships based on mutual respect and trust.
The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard M. Mills Jr., emphasized that visa compliance by Nigerian citizens is essential for maintaining strong diplomatic and social ties between the two countries.
“Compliance with U.S. visa laws is not just a requirement, it’s the foundation of mutual trust between our two nations,” Ambassador Mills said.
He also emphasized that “We want to make it clear that U.S. visas play a vital role in sustaining the dynamic exchanges between Nigeria and the United States in education, business, tourism, and cultural relations.”
He stressed that the misuse of visas or providing false information during the application process undermines this trust and can have serious consequences.
“The overwhelming majority of Nigerians use their visas appropriately, and we commend them for that. We encourage all applicants to provide truthful information and to follow the terms of their visas to help strengthen the bonds between our countries,” he said.
Ambassador Mills also applauded the efforts of the Ministry of Information and its affiliated agencies, including the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigerian Customs Service, and the Presidency, for their support in promoting awareness.
He urged Nigerians to seek accurate visa information only from official sources especially the U.S. Embassy’s consular website and assured the public of the Embassy’s readiness to respond promptly to inquiries.
The envoy commended Nigeria’s commitment to freedom of expression and public engagement, stating that these democratic values align closely with U.S. policy.
