The United States Mission in Nigeria clarified its recent decision to cut visa validity for most Nigerian non-immigrant applicants from five years to just three months, NaijNaira can report.
This move is not retaliation, contrary to public assumptions, according to a new statement from the US Embassy. The embassy said the change aligns with a wider, worldwide review of visa regulations, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
“This reduction is not the result of any nation’s stance on third-country deportees, e-visa policies, or affiliations with BRICS,” the US Mission clarified.
Officials said the update follows technical and security benchmarks used in evaluating global visa usage, aiming to strengthen US immigration systems.
Despite public speculation linking the change to political disagreements or deportation policies, the US said these claims are inaccurate.
“We value our longstanding partnership with Nigeria and remain committed to helping Nigeria meet the required benchmarks,” the statement continued.
Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, commented that accepting Venezuelan deportees from US prisons was not an option. “We have enough problems of our own,” he said.
Nigeria is instead prioritizing resource-based partnerships, seeking cooperation in natural gas, rare earths, and minerals used by US tech firms.
Article updated 3 days ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
