The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has met with United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, to address concerns surrounding the recently announced changes to US visa policies affecting Nigerian citizens.
The meeting, held in Abuja on Wednesday, came just a day after the US government announced a significant revision to its visa terms for Nigerians, reducing the validity of most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas to three months and limiting them to single-entry.
In a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Tunji-Ojo emphasized President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to upholding secure travel practices and compliance with international standards. He noted that Nigeria is working to improve areas such as:
- Issuance of secure travel documents
- Visa overstay management
- Identity verification
- Enhanced data sharing on security/criminal records
“The goal is to strengthen Nigeria-US relations through a structured and mutually respectful visa framework,” the minister said.
During the discussion, Ambassador Mills provided clarity on the revised US visa policy, describing it as part of a broader global visa reciprocity realignment. He also expressed support for Nigeria’s recent introduction of a new e-visa system, which aims to simplify the application process for foreign travelers entering Nigeria.
Both parties agreed to deepen cooperation between the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Ministry of Interior, and the US Mission in Nigeria. The focus will be on improving transparency, sharing relevant information, and encouraging responsible travel among Nigerian citizens.
Present at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, and the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nanna Nandap.
The US embassy had earlier explained that the new policy aligns with Nigeria’s own visa terms, which also offer single-entry visas valid for three months to US visitors.
