The Federal Government yesterday rejected the United States’ reciprocity reason for imposing visa restrictions on Nigerians.
The Presidency denied that Nigeria halted the issuance of five-year multiple-entry visas for U.S. citizens, describing such claims as false and misleading.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Embassy in Abuja announced that with immediate effect, non-immigrant visas for Nigerians will only be valid for three months and a single entry.
Previously, frequent travellers on visits or for tourism could be granted visas valid for up to five years.
Also, Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, said the policy might be connected to Nigeria’s resistance to accepting 300 prisoners from Venezuela.
He said Nigeria would not bow to pressure to accept the prisoners.
In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Tinubu Administration reaffirmed that it had not altered its visa policy toward American citizens.
It said the Federal Government continues to grant five-year non-immigrant visas in line with existing bilateral agreements and the principle of reciprocity.
“Contrary to misinformation and fake news circulating online, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has never stopped issuing five-year multiple-entry visas for U.S. citizens.
“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 statement read.
The Presidency stressed that the U.S. government’s reference to reciprocity in its current policy does not reflect the facts.
