Nigeria’s Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, met with Richard Mills, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, on Wednesday in Abuja to address the new visa restrictions recently introduced by the US government for Nigerian nationals.
The meeting was also attended by Kemi Nanna Nandap, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and Magdalene Ajani, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior.
In a statement released after the session, Tunji-Ojo confirmed that discussions centred on the revised US visa procedures and Nigeria’s plans to strengthen immigration compliance under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The US embassy had earlier this week announced significant adjustments to its visa policy for Nigerian citizens, reducing the validity period and entry allowance for most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas. Affected visas will now mostly be limited to single entry with a three-month validity, a marked reduction from previous terms.
According to Tunji-Ojo, the US Ambassador offered detailed explanations on the changes and how they align with established practices aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the visa process.
Both countries also reviewed Nigeria’s recent immigration reforms, including the e-visa policy launched by the Nigeria Immigration Service to simplify and improve the application process for travellers coming into Nigeria.
“The Ministry of Interior, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the US Mission in Nigeria agreed to strengthen collaboration, emphasising adherence to visa regulations and promoting responsible travel practices among Nigerian citizens,” the minister said in the statement.
Tunji-Ojo noted that the Tinubu administration remains committed to ensuring full compliance with international travel standards.
He outlined key measures including the issuance of secure travel documents with verified traveller identities and tighter management of visa overstays.
The minister added that Nigeria will increase information sharing with the US on security and criminal record data to enhance public safety and improve the screening process for visa applicants.
The latest visa restrictions come as part of the US government’s broader effort to maintain strict immigration controls and manage overstays.
The meeting reflects ongoing diplomatic efforts to balance the movement of people with the need for secure and regulated travel.
Nigerian authorities said further discussions would continue as both countries implement new measures to strengthen the integrity of their immigration systems and ensure that travellers comply with entry and exit conditions.
