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| President Tinubu |
The Nigerian Presidency has firmly denied reports suggesting that President Bola Tinubu halted the issuance of five-year multiple-entry visas to United States citizens.
On Tuesday, July 8, 2025, the United States announced a significant revision to its visa policy for Nigerian nationals, shortening the validity period and limiting the number of entries for most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas.
However, on Thursday, July 10, 2025, Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, in a press briefing release clarified that President Bola Tinubu has not stopped the issuance of five-year multiple-entry visas to United States citizens.
He said that no such directive was given and described any claims to the contrary as misinformation.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has never stopped issuing five-year multiple-entry visas for U.S. citizens. This continues in line with existing bilateral agreements and the principle of reciprocity,” Onanuga said in a statement issued on Thursday.
He stated that shortly after assuming office, President Tinubu directed all federal agencies to uphold Nigeria’s international agreements and maintain reciprocal diplomatic policies.
Onanuga noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously clarified Nigeria’s position following the U.S. government’s recent adjustment of its non-immigrant visa policy towards Nigerians.
“Immediately after assuming office, President Tinubu’s administration issued a service-wide directive that Nigeria implement all bilateral agreements with other nations and adhere to the principle of reciprocity in diplomatic relations.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clearly stated the position of the Federal Government of Nigeria on the recent adjustment made by the United States’ non-immigrant visa policy for Nigerians.
“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 that reflects the mutual respect and partnership that so exist between our two friendly nations.
“We want to reiterate 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.
“The Nigerian government has not deviated from granting US citizens a 5-year multiple-entry non-immigrant visa, just as the US has continued to grant the same to Nigerians.
“The 90-day single-entry Visa validity period only applies to the newly introduced e-Visas, a short-term visa category for tourists and business people who may not wish to undergo the standard visa application process and wait. The e-visa replaces the now obsolete Visa-on-arrival, which was inefficient and often used as a means of extortion. The e-visa is a fast, online process that does not require the applicant to go to the embassy. Applicants receive the e-Visa within 48 hours of submitting their application.
“The e-visa policy aligns with President Tinubu’s efforts to boost investment, trade, and tourism in the country, as well as promote the ease of doing business for non-nationals. Moreover, e-visas are a widely adopted global policy in dozens of countries.
“Although Nigeria has an e-visa policy for citizens of the US and several other countries, the US has not reciprocated this gesture for Nigerians.
“In the spirit of cooperation, mutual understanding, and partnership that have characterised the relationship between Nigeria and the United States over the decades, the Tinubu-led administration will continue to dialogue and engage with US authorities to resolve any issues that have led to the recent developments,” the press statement concluded.
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