Presidency Debunks Claims on Cancellation of US Citizens’ Long-Term Visa
The Presidency has dismissed circulating claims suggesting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu halted the issuance of 5-year non-immigrant visas to US citizens, describing them as false and misleading.
In a statement released Wednesday, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, clarified that “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has never stopped issuing 5-year multiple-entry visas for US citizens, following the principle of subsisting bilateral agreements and reciprocity.”
He noted that immediately after taking office, the administration instructed all agencies to implement existing bilateral agreements and uphold reciprocal diplomatic relations.
Reacting to the recent adjustments in the United States’ visa policy for Nigerians, the statement emphasised that “the US government’s claim of reciprocity as the reason for its current visa policy towards Nigeria does not accurately reflect the actual situation.”
It also clarified that the 90-day single-entry visa now in effect only applies to Nigeria’s newly introduced e-visa, intended for short-term business and tourism visits.
“The e-visa replaces the now obsolete Visa-on-arrival, which was inefficient and often used as a means of extortion,” the statement said, adding that it is a fast, online process deliverable within 48 hours.
Onanuga stressed that the US has not yet reciprocated Nigeria’s e-visa policy and that “the Ministry and other senior government officials will continue to engage with the United States to address the unfavourable restrictions in a just and fair manner.”
The Presidency reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining strong bilateral ties with the United States.
