By Ibrahim Babangida Lawal
The Federal Government of Nigeria has registered profound disquiet over the United States Government’s recent decision to substantially curtail the validity of certain non-immigrant visas granted to Nigerian citizens.
In an official communique issued on Wednesday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government disclosed that the United States has unilaterally revised its visa reciprocity framework for Nigerian nationals, truncating the duration of B1/B2 (business and tourist), F (student), and J (exchange visitor) visas to a mere three months, restricting holders to a single entry.
The Federal Government characterised this development as deeply disconcerting, emphasising that such a measure imposes an inordinate encumbrance upon Nigerian travellers, scholars in pursuit of academic aspirations, professionals engaged in legitimate enterprise, and families seeking to maintain cherished transnational bonds.
“The decision appears incongruous with the fundamental principles of reciprocity, equity, and mutual respect that ought to underpin bilateral relations between amicable states,” the statement asserted.
Whilst acknowledging the incontestable prerogative of every sovereign nation to delineate its immigration architecture, Nigeria implored the United States to reconsider this stance in the spirit of enduring amity, cooperative engagement, and shared global stewardship.
The Ministry further affirmed that diplomatic overtures are actively underway, with a steadfast commitment to attaining a resolution that safeguards fairness and fortifies the longstanding bonds of mutual interest between the two nations.
The statement bore the signature of Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the distinguished spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
