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US Envoy, Minister Address Visa Policy Changes, Urge Compliance

Published

5 months ago

August 8, 2025

The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Richard Mills, and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, on Friday addressed the recent changes to US visa policies and jointly called for increased awareness and compliance among Nigerian citizens.

The US had earlier imposed tighter visa restrictions on Nigerians. It revised its visa reciprocity schedule for Nigeria, limiting the validity of certain non-immigrant visas — including B1/B2 (business and tourism), F (student), and J (exchange visitor) categories — to just three months with single-entry access.

Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja, Mills clarified that the new visa measures announced by the US Mission are not punitive, but rather part of a global effort to tighten security, enhance service delivery, and ensure compliance with US immigration laws.

“Myself and the minister just had a very useful and productive discussion about US visa laws and how to communicate to the Nigerian people the importance of compliance with US visa laws,” Mills said.

The envoy underscored the enduring and strategic relationship between the two countries, emphasising that the US continues to welcome Nigerians for study, business, tourism, medical visits, and family reunions—but with the clear expectation that visitors respect visa regulations.

“Let me be clear, the United States values its very strong relationship with Nigeria and the many kinds of connections that exist between our two countries.

“US visas play a vital role in keeping these countries going and strengthening them

“Both governments want visitors to respect our national laws and regulations,” the ambassador said.

Mills warned that visa misuse—such as overstaying or providing inaccurate information—undermines trust and can lead to severe personal consequences, including deportation or a lifetime travel ban.

“If you overstay, it can result in deportation and a lifetime ban on future travel to the US, which we don’t want to see Nigerian citizens face,” he said.

He urged applicants to be honest and transparent, stressing that “visa compliance is a cornerstone of mutual trust and respect between our two nations.”

Addressing concerns about the processing system, Mills revealed that the recent changes reflect the US administration’s security-focused review of global visa operations.

He noted that the US government requires more rigorous background checks, including access to Nigerian criminal records, to ensure applicants are properly vetted.

“We needed to address some of the security vulnerabilities that we saw in our visa processing.

“The Nigerian government is working to find a mechanism so that we can have a better understanding of who’s before us when they apply for a visa,” Mills explained.

In addition, the ambassador stressed that compliance also applies to student visa holders.

“If you skip classes, if you leave your programme of study without informing your school, your student visa could be revoked,” he warned.

He concluded by encouraging Nigerians to visit the US embassy website for official guidance and support.

“If you have any questions about our visa regulations or policies, don’t hesitate to go to our website. All Nigerians have access to it,” the envoy added.

The minister, in his remarks, praised the US embassy for taking the initiative to clarify its position directly with the Nigerian public.

“This brings me to believe that we need to come together at times like this to have a common position so that Nigerians can be better informed about what we do,” he said.

The minister described Nigerians as global travellers who frequent the United States more than almost any other destination and emphasised the importance of clear, accessible information about visa processes.

“Nigerians visit almost all parts of the world, and because we engage and we travel a lot, we feel that it is necessary to have information shared with us from time to time as it affects the travels amongst our people,” he said.

Mohammed reaffirmed that the ministry will continue to work closely with the US Mission to ensure transparency, understanding, and public education on all consular issues.

“Let me recognise the mutual respect and partnership between Nigeria and the United States and its embassy to keep Nigerian travellers well informed about its visa and consular services,” he said.

He also dismissed the notion that the new visa processes were discriminatory, quoting the ambassador.

“Before coming to this office, we had engagements with Amb Mills, and what he has told me is that this is in no way punitive. It’s just to enhance service delivery between the two countries.”

The minister echoed the US position on the importance of complying with host country laws and urged Nigerians to uphold the country’s image abroad.

“When someone comes into Nigeria, we expect that person to also comply with our laws here. So what I want to say here is that Nigerians must continue to demonstrate, as they do, a better sense of patriotism about their country and also show better compliance with not just our laws, but laws of other countries,” he said.

Mohammed added that the renewed engagement with the US mission reflects the Federal Government’s “New Hope Agenda,” aimed at fostering partnerships that benefit Nigerians at home and abroad.

“This is a new way of forging a better partnership and collaboration between the two countries.

“And the more we engage, the better it is for the two nations,” he said.

“The most important thing is that we remain two countries trying to forge better relationships for the benefit of both nations,” the minister concluded.
(PUNCH)

News

NAF Launches Attack On Terrorists In Borno

Published

15 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, operating as part of the joint task force of Operation Hadin Kai, has carried out a coordinated air interdiction at AbbagaJiri in the Timbuktu Triangle, Borno State.

According to Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information of NAF, the air strikes successfully paved the way for ground troops.

He explained that the operation was based on actionable intelligence from multiple sources, which confirmed the presence of terrorists, their structures, and concealed logistics facilities in the area.

Ejodame stated that NAF air assets were deployed in integrated surveillance and precision strike roles to target identified threats.

The operation aimed to degrade terrorist capabilities, deny them sanctuary, and shape the battlefield for ground forces, all while strictly adhering to rules of engagement and protecting civilians.

He added, “The Identified terrorist structures were decisively engaged and destroyed, denying the terrorists freedom of action, while a follow-up engagement neutralised armed elements observed converging on the location.”

“Subsequent advances by ground troops into the area confirmed the effectiveness of the air strikes and validated the success of the joint air–land operation.”

Speaking on the mission, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said, “The success of the mission reflects the NAF’s resolve to dominate the air domain in support of joint operations.”

Aneke further emphasized that the operation highlighted the service’s commitment to providing precise and decisive air power in support of ground forces.

In his words, “We will continue to deny terrorists freedom of movement, sanctuary, and logistics wherever they seek to hide. Air operations will remain relentless and intelligence-driven.”

“Our operations are carefully planned and intelligence-led, ensuring maximum effect on hostile elements while safeguarding innocent civilians.”

“The Nigerian Air Force will sustain pressure until terrorist networks are completely dismantled.”

He further noted that the operation showcased NAF’s aggressive stance, precision employment of airpower, and dedication to sustained joint operations.

Aneke added that such missions play a crucial role in enabling ground troops to maintain momentum and deliver decisive outcomes against terrorist networks threatening lives, property, and Nigeria’s national security.

News

Lagos Parks To Close For Maintenance – State Govt

Published

15 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency, LASPARK, has announced that all public parks under its management across the state will be temporarily closed for routine maintenance and upgrades.

In a statement released on January 9 and shared via its official platforms early Saturday, LASPARK said, “All parks under our management will be closed to the public from January 12 to January 31, 2026.

“This follows increased visitor activity during the recent festive season.”

The agency listed several popular recreational spots that will be affected, including “Ndubisi Kanu Park, Alausa JJT Park, Dr. Finnih Abayomi Park in Oregun, and all other LASPARK-managed parks across Lagos State.”

News

PAP Sends Additional 34 Foreign Post-graduate Scholarship Beneficiaries To UK Varsities

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

Editor

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has deployed an additional 34 foreign post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries to various universities in the United Kingdom for the 2025-2026 academic year.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri by Mr Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to Dr. Dennis Otuaro, the Administrator, PAP.

According to the statement, the scholars’ programmes include data science, fintech analytics, cyber security, international energy law and policy, construction project management, public health, agri-food technology, electrical and petroleum engineering, among others.

The statement added that more foreign post-graduate scholars will be sent to UK universities in the current academic session.

“In December 2025, nine students, who were the first set of offshore post-graduate scholarship developments by the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, for the 2024-2025 academic year, graduated from their various programmes in UK universities.

“Otuaro has deployed over 9000 students to universities within and outside Nigeria for different industry-relevant programmes since he assumed office in March 2024,” the statement partly reads.

Speaking at the pre-departure orientation programme for the scholars at the PAP headquarters in Abuja, on Thursday, Otuaro said that the large-scale deployment was aimed at making the Niger Delta a knowledge-driven region.

He said that his leadership reinvigorated the programme to give it a new momentum in service delivery to the people of the region based on the mandate of President Bola Tinubu.

Otuaro said, “We are sending all of you for post-graduate studies in various universities in the United Kingdom.

“The PAP now has a new momentum and direction because of the repositioning and broad reforms that we carried out in line with the mandate of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

“The objective behind the huge scholarships deployment is to ensure that we develop the needed human capital to transform the Niger Delta and generate knowledge-wealth.

“We want to develop relevant manpower in critical disciplines for our region and by extension, the country, because you are expected to contribute your quota to national development after successful graduation.”

The PAP boss, who was represented at the event by his Technical Assistant, Mr Edgar Biu, advised the scholars to study hard to achieve academic excellence in their various fields of research.

According to him, the scholars have an obligation to justify the Federal Government’s investment in their education and future.

He reiterated his warning that beneficiaries should not take for granted the opportunity to further their academic pursuits in the interest of the Niger Delta and indeed the country.

Otuaro expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his “enormous interest and support for the Programme”, particularly the approval of an upward review of the programme’s budget from N65billion to N150billion.

He also expressed gratitude to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his impeccable guidance and supervision of the programme’s initiatives.

Otuaro, therefore, cautioned the scholars to obey their host country’s laws and the rules and regulations of their various institutions, stressing that they are ambassadors of Nigeria, the Niger Delta and their communities and families.

Highpoint of the orientation programme was the presentation of laptops to the scholars to help them in their studies.