Nigerian Interior Minister Meets U.S. Diplomat Over New Visa Regulations
Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, met with the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, on Wednesday, July 9, in Abuja to discuss recent changes to the U.S. visa policy affecting Nigerian nationals.
Also present at the meeting were Kemi Nanna Nandap, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and Magdalene Ajani, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior.
In a statement released following the meeting, Tunji-Ojo described the discussions as constructive, noting that Ambassador Mills offered detailed explanations regarding the newly implemented visa procedures. The envoy reportedly emphasized that the changes are consistent with global standards aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the immigration system.
The minister further highlighted that the revised U.S. protocol includes support for Nigeria’s e-visa system, which seeks to streamline and improve the visa application experience for international travellers to Nigeria.
According to the statement, both countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in visa policy enforcement and the promotion of responsible travel behavior. Nigeria also pledged to enhance key measures, including issuing more secure travel documents with verifiable identities, improving management of visa overstays, and increasing the exchange of relevant security and criminal data to support mutual public safety goals.
The meeting follows a recent policy announcement by the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria on Tuesday, July 8, stating that most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas for Nigerian citizens will now be limited to a three-month validity and single entry. The new directive is expected to impact a broad category of Nigerian visa applicants planning to travel to the United States.
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