Lawmakers summon Minster of Foriegn Affairs Yusuf Tuggar over U.S Visa Policy

The House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs has summoned Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to appear before it over the recent visa policy change by the United States government affecting Nigerian citizens.

In a letter dated July 11 and signed by committee chairman Wole Oke, the minister was requested to address lawmakers on July 16 regarding several pressing matters of national concern, including the U.S. government’s new visa regime.

The letter specifically mentions concerns over “the recent change in visa policy for Nigerians by the United States government, allegations of illegal posting to foreign missions of directors with less than 3 to 6 months to their retirement, and optimisation of the Ministry of Finance assets in foreign missions.”

Other issues highlighted include the digitisation of consular services, integration with agencies such as the Nigerian Immigration Service, and disbursement procedures to foreign missions.

The U.S. State Department recently announced that from July 8, 2025, most non-immigrant, non-diplomatic visas for Nigerians — including tourist, business, and student categories — would be limited to single-entry and a three-month validity.

“The change applies only to new visas issued from July 8 onward; previously issued valid visas remain unaffected and can still be used for multiple entries within their original validity period,” the department clarified.

See Also

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol sentenced to Five Years Over Martial Law Case

Although initial claims suggested Nigeria’s refusal to issue five-year visas to Americans led to the change, those reports were later debunked. The Cable reported that “Nigeria’s refusal to accept asylum seekers from the US was partly responsible for the recent visa restrictions imposed on the country by President Donald Trump.”

Tuggar has been asked to submit a detailed briefing note by July 15, ahead of his appearance.