Tinubu Never Suspended 5-Year US Visas For Americans- Presidency

The Presidency has refuted claims spreading on social media that President Bola Tinubu mandated the suspension of issuing 5-year multiple-entry Nigerian visas to United States citizens.

It should be noted that on Tuesday, July 8, the United States announced a significant update to its visa policy for Nigerians, shortening the validity and entry permissions for most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas. The US Embassy in Nigeria stated that most visas will now be restricted to a single entry with only a three-month validity period. This change is effective immediately, although visas issued prior to July 8 will retain their original terms.

Many speculated that the US decision was a response to the Federal Government halting 5-year visas for US citizens.

However, in a statement issued on Thursday, July 10, Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, labeled the claim as untrue and deceptive, clarifying that Nigeria has not changed its visa policy toward American citizens.

“President Tinubu has never stopped issuing 5-year multiple-entry visas to US citizens,” Onanuga declared. “Nigeria continues to honour existing bilateral agreements and remains committed to the principle of reciprocity in diplomatic relations.”

He further noted that upon taking office, President Tinubu instructed government agencies to uphold all existing bilateral agreements with foreign countries, including the United States, and to ensure fair treatment of foreign nationals in accordance with diplomatic protocols.

Read the full statement below: “Contrary to misinformation and fake news circulating online, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has never stopped issuing 5-year multiple-entry visas for US citizens, in accordance with the principle of subsisting bilateral agreements and reciprocity.

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.”

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli