US Ambassador to Nigeria Richard Mills said the recent visa restrictions are not meant to punish Nigerians but are meant to improve US security, and he urged people to get accurate information and follow official guidance, assuring that US-Nigeria relations remain strong.
He explained that the presidential proclamation, which will take effect on January 1, 2026, affecting certain visa categories, is intended to ensure proper vetting and reliable information in the visa process, not to penalize Nigerians.
According to Mills, the proclamation clearly identifies which visa categories may be affected and also specifies exemptions for certain groups.
He noted that the exemptions include holders of official and diplomatic passports, as well as individuals traveling for religious work.
According to him, the proclamation outlined which visa categories will be impacted while providing clear exemptions for certain groups, including holders of official and diplomatic passports as well as individuals travelling for religious work.
He urged visa applicants to rely on the official US Embassy website for accurate details about the affected categories and exemptions, and to use the designated embassy channels for inquiries.
Also speaking, the leader of the US Congressional Delegation, Representative Bill Huizenga, emphasised that visa reviews and restrictions are routine tools used by the US government to promote compliance and cooperation among countries, rather than to punish citizens.
“The focus of such measures is primarily on government systems and processes, not on the Nigerian people,” Huizenga said, adding that similar visa reviews are regularly applied in various parts of the world.
The US government, through the announcement, reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its longstanding people-to-people ties with Nigeria.
It said the visa measures form part of a wider engagement aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation and addressing shared security concerns.
Recall that President Donald Trump, on December 16, announced expanded entry restrictions on foreign nationals from 24 countries including Nigeria citing “demonstrated, persistent, and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing” that threaten U.S. national security and public safety.
