The Nigerian Presidency has firmly denied widespread social media claims suggesting that President Bola Tinubu ordered a halt to the issuance of 5-year multiple-entry visas to United States citizens.
The clarification comes in the wake of the U.S. government’s announcement on Tuesday, July 8, that it had revised its visa policy for Nigerian citizens. Under the new rule, most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visa applicants from Nigeria will now receive single-entry visas valid for only three months. The new policy takes immediate effect, though previously issued visas will remain valid until expiration.
The timing of the U.S. policy change triggered speculation that it was a retaliatory move in response to an alleged suspension of 5-year visas for U.S. nationals by Nigeria.
However, in a statement issued on Thursday, July 10, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed the claims as false and misleading.
“President Tinubu has never stopped issuing 5-year multiple-entry visas to U.S. citizens,” Onanuga stated. “Nigeria continues to honour its existing bilateral agreements and remains committed to diplomatic reciprocity.”
He added that one of President Tinubu's earliest directives after taking office was to ensure that all international agreements were fully implemented and that all foreign nationals, including Americans, are treated fairly in accordance with diplomatic standards.
The Presidency further explained that the 90-day single-entry visa currently in circulation pertains only to the newly launched e-Visa category, introduced to streamline short-term visits for tourism and business. Unlike the now-defunct visa-on-arrival scheme, the e-Visa is designed to be efficient, transparent, and accessible—processed entirely online with delivery in under 48 hours.
This reform, the statement noted, is part of Tinubu’s broader push to enhance ease of doing business, attract investment, and promote tourism.
Significantly, the Nigerian government emphasized that the U.S. has yet to reciprocate Nigeria’s e-Visa policy, even though it is extended to American citizens.
The Presidency concluded by affirming Nigeria’s commitment to resolving the recent visa issues through ongoing diplomatic engagement:
“In the spirit of mutual respect and the long-standing partnership between our two nations, we will continue to dialogue with U.S. authorities to ensure a fair and balanced visa policy for all.”
Read the full statement after this cut below:
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.''
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