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| Tinubu clears air on visa misinformation claims |
The Nigerian Presidency has labelled reports of a visa halt as false and misleading. The Special Adviser on Information, Bayo Onanuga, issued a statement refuting any change in policy .
Recently, social media posts claimed President Bola Tinubu ordered a stop to five-year, multiple-entry visas for US citizens. These posts cited a misunderstood US visa review as Nigerian retaliation.
In a press release, Onanuga said the government “has never stopped issuing five-year visas to US citizens.” He added Nigeria remains committed to all bilateral agreements and reciprocity principles .
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Abuja limited visas for Nigerian applicants to three-month, single-entry permits. That move arose from global reciprocity reviews, not from Nigeria’s actions .
Visa reciprocity means each country mirrors another’s visa validity and entry numbers. Nigeria follows this rule strictly. When the US adjusts its policy, Nigeria studies and responds appropriately.
The false claim grew after a US court order review on non-immigrant visas. Some saw the US revision as a trigger for Nigeria’s supposed retaliation. But no official directive from State House ever mentioned visa suspension.
• No government memo exists halting 5-year visas.
• Nigeria continues to grant five-year, multiple-entry visas to qualified US citizens.
• US changes affect Nigerian applicants only, not Americans visiting Nigeria.
Foreign policy analysts note that Nigeria values ties with the US. Cutting visas would harm trade and education links. Diplomats say such a move makes no strategic sense.
2024: Nigeria issued over 20,000 five-year US visas.
July 2025: US limited Nigerian visas to three-month, single entry .
American business travelers and students rely on the five-year visa for planning. The presidency’s clarification reassures them of policy stability.
Some critics argue Nigeria should review its own visa policy. But the government says any change will come through proper channels and public notice.
Travelers can apply as usual for Nigerian visas. They should follow embassy guidelines online and submit complete documents.
The presidency’s swift denial ends the false claim. Nigeria maintains its visa stance for Americans in line with international norms.