The Nigerian government says it is actively engaging authorities in the United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to address recent visa policy changes affecting Nigerian travelers, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reaffirms his administration’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of Nigerians abroad.
On July 8, the U.S. government introduced a stricter visa policy, reducing the validity period for most non-immigrant, non-diplomatic visas—such as those for tourism, business, and study—from multiple years to just three months, and shifting to single-entry only. This means Nigerian applicants must now reapply for each visit.
In a statement released Monday, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Tinubu, said the administration is pursuing diplomatic channels to resolve the matter constructively.
“The U.S. has officially cited two main concerns behind the change: the high rate of visa overstays by Nigerian nationals and difficulties in reliably accessing their personal records,” the statement said.
U.S. authorities also clarified that the move aligns with the country’s global visa reciprocity review, which periodically adjusts entry conditions and visa durations for all countries.
In response, President Tinubu has directed all relevant federal agencies to ensure strict compliance with international obligations and to bolster cooperation with foreign governments—particularly in identity verification and digital record-sharing.
“All Nigerians are encouraged to respect the immigration laws of their host countries and uphold the integrity of the travel privileges granted to them,” the statement emphasized.
Regarding rumored visa policy changes by the UAE, the Nigerian government said it has not received any formal communication from Abu Dhabi about new restrictions. However, it acknowledged that visa issuance for Nigerians appears to be resuming in a measured and systematic fashion.
“The Federal Government notes that, contrary to widespread speculation, it has not received any formal notification from the UAE authorities regarding a revised visa regime for Nigerians,” Onanuga said. “Transit visa processing appears to be progressing gradually.”
The statement also lauded the UAE’s constructive engagement with Nigerian officials, emphasizing that all concerns are being addressed in a spirit of mutual respect and diplomatic collaboration.
President Tinubu further assured Nigerians that his administration remains dedicated to advancing the welfare of citizens abroad, consistent with its 4-D foreign policy agenda—focused on Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Dialogue.
“Our priority remains clear: to ensure that Nigerians everywhere can travel, work, and live with dignity,” the statement concluded.
The federal government also reiterated its commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with both the United States and the UAE, while addressing issues diplomatically and proactively.
