₦airaland Forum

The ambassador urged visa applicants and members of the public to consult the US Embassy’s official website for detailed information on the proclamation.

The United States’ Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, says the recent visa restrictions announced by the US government are designed to strengthen security procedures, and not actions targeted at Nigerians.

Mr Mills spoke at a news conference on Sunday in Abuja during the visit of a US Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to Nigeria.

He said the presidential proclamation, which would take effect on 1 January 2026, and affect certain visa categories, was part of broader measures to secure U.S. borders and protect American communities.

“The focus of the visa review is on ensuring proper vetting and credible information in the visa process, not on penalising Nigerians,” Mr Mills said.

According to him, the proclamation clearly specifies the visa categories that may be affected, while also outlining exemptions for certain groups.

He listed the exemptions to include holders of official and diplomatic passports, as well as individuals travelling for religious work.

The ambassador urged visa applicants and members of the public to consult the US Embassy’s official website for detailed information on the proclamation, affected visa categories and available exemptions.

He also urged those with specific enquiries to use the designated communication channels provided by the embassy for further guidance.

Also speaking, the leader of the US Congressional Delegation, Rep. Bill Huizenga, said visa reviews and restrictions were routine tools used to encourage compliance and cooperation, rather than punitive actions targeting citizens.

Mr Huizenga said the focus of such measures was primarily on government systems and processes, not on the Nigerian people, adding that similar reviews were routinely applied in different parts of the world.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the U.S. government had reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining strong people-to-people ties with Nigeria, while announcing the visa reviews and restrictions.

It described the visa measures as part of a wider engagement aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation while addressing shared security concerns.

(NAN)

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/844690-why-us-imposed-visa-restrictions-on-nigerians-envoy.html

The US ambassador should have just kept quiet.

The US imposed visa restrictions on Nigerians. Yet, these same people announced that they would build their biggest consulate on Eko Atlantic.

Does it mean they want to build the world's biggest scam office? An office where Nigerians will keep applying for US visa and keep getting denied and being encouraged to reapply?

SmartPolician:
The US imposed visa restrictions on Nigerians. Yet, these same people announced that they would build their biggest consulate on Eko Atlantic.

Does it mean they want to build the world's biggest scam office? An office where Nigerians will keep applying for US visa and keep getting denied and being encouraged to reapply?

You get the logic... They know that we will continue to apply for their Visas....
Imagine where there are 100,000 applications and only 5,000 granted and later many of those visas revoked...
Biggest scam in the world....

Toh

Na so

Routine tools to encourage compliance and cooperation but those people who should enforce the compliance and cooperation have official or diplomatic passports so they are exempted,see masses see trouble.

In summary, Northerners and Muslim Imams are banned while Pastors and Southern missionaries are welcomed to the US. This is partiality.

Na small small Nigeria dey turn to North Korea.

doncartel:
Na small small Nigeria dey turn to North Korea.

Because one country restricted visa?

Do you know how many countries we have on Earth?

Another disaster class from the master tragedist. Agbadorians should add this as one of Tinubu's achievements. We had it coming. Two years of not appointing a single ambassador only to select the likes of Reno Omokri and Ikpeazu after pressure from Trump. First, a country of particular concern and then a visa ban.

I can't blame the US government at all!

Nigerians are fond of abusing privileges. People overstay their visa and blame government for their crimes.

AMINDA:
Another disaster class from the master tragedist. Agbadorians should add this as one of Tinubu's achievements. We had it coming. Two years of not appointing a single ambassador only to select the likes of Reno Omokri and Ikpeazu after pressure from Trump. First, a country of particular concern and then a visa ban.

But the US president is also a criminal. So what point is he making.

How many convicted criminals do we have in our Government? None! But the US president is a convicted criminal

No mention of Tinubu, APC or the Muslim-Muslim ticket? This envoy is an agbado laptop boy

There should be a reciprocity.

We appreciate Trump for all he is doing.

I thought seun and his people said that Tinubu is doing wonders. So why are u complaining that Trump wants u to stay in ur Nigeria and enjoy ur Tinubu?

HgAkpobomeEr:
The US ambassador should have just kept quiet.

Agree with you on that. Is the government that is affected? That is just hogwash. With the kind of stupendous money they make from Visa applications in Nigeria, they should have had a rethink and given us a soft landing. Nigerians should look elsewhere and save their monies. To get visa you spend almost two to three million not talk of buying the ticket just for vacation.

SmartPolician:
The US imposed visa restrictions on Nigerians. Yet, these same people announced that they would build their biggest consulate on Eko Atlantic.

Does it mean they want to build the world's biggest scam office? An office where Nigerians will keep applying for US visa and keep getting denied and being encouraged to reapply?

Its only a scam when u wise up. TRUMP is doing the lord's work

HacheNoire:
But the US president is also a criminal. So what point is he making.

How many convicted criminals do we have in our Government? None! But the US president is a convicted criminal

No problem. I wasn't aware that Americans are queuing up to be granted visa into your country but you can place a visa ban on the U.S in retaliation.

The visa restrictions isn't limited to Nigerians, why are people making it to sound as if they are deliberately targeting Nigeria?

I have noticed this, when a policy is effected for several countries, someone will just make a thread and present it as if, its only Nigeria being targeted

Errrm, because we reminded them that there are so many terrorists in Nigeria. Remember?
i wonder what the folks screaming genocide, invade us, were thinking. Maybe they assumed the US would share green cards to them.

Rep. Bill Huizenga, said visa reviews and restrictions were routine tools used to encourage compliance and cooperation, rather than punitive actions targeting citizens.

Mr Huizenga said the focus of such measures was primarily on government systems and processes, not on the Nigerian people, adding that similar reviews were routinely applied in different parts of the world.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the U.S. government had reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining strong people-to-people ties with Nigeria, while announcing the visa reviews and restrictions.

It described the visa measures as part of a wider engagement aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation while addressing shared security concerns.

SmartPolician:
The US imposed visa restrictions on Nigerians. Yet, these same people announced that they would build their biggest consulate on Eko Atlantic.

Does it mean they want to build the world's biggest scam office? An office where Nigerians will keep applying for US visa and keep getting denied and being encouraged to reapply?

If our leaders do the right thing, why will almost all of us see America as heaven

It is because your racist and xenophobic president foes not want people from sheethole countries coming into HIS country.

Those peasants should stay home.

No Nigerian has ever conducted a terror attack on US soil. Simply looking for an excuse.

Lol Once Ur Passport shows Christian no worry Dem go grant u the Visa...



U don ban people why you still dey explain.,..

AMINDA:
No problem. I wasn't aware that Americans are queuing up to be granted visa into your country but you can place a visa ban on the U.S in retaliation.

Yes! We are a sovereign nation. We can reciprocate same.

HgAkpobomeEr:
The US ambassador should have just kept quiet.

He just got recalled by Trump! Wise advise you had there for the U.S. Ambassador. There is a Sec of State who speaks for the U.S.A.

Crying over visa restrictions shows how dumb african leaders are, especially Nigeria. Repair your country una no gree. Na religion and tribalism and curruption una carry A1. Ndi ara

HacheNoire:
Yes! We are a sovereign nation. We can reciprocate same.

Please go ahead and we'll see who blinks first!

HacheNoire:
Yes! We are a sovereign nation. We can reciprocate same.

Lol. The jokes write themselves. Also designate the U.S as a country of particular concern while you are it. Small nyash dey shake o. You are a sovereign nation but it took pressure from Trump to get your president to even acknowledge the insecurity in the country and to appoint ambassadors.

seanfer:
You get the logic... They know that we will continue to apply for their Visas....
Imagine where there are 100,000 applications and only 5,000 granted and later many of those visas revoked...
Biggest scam in the world....

A Country's Foreign Embassy exists for reasons beyond Visa processing.

HacheNoire:
Because one country restricted visa?

Do you know how many countries we have Earth?

We have also just lost our democracy. We will surpass North Korea by 2031 when Shettima begins to deal mercilessly with all opposition both within Apc and outside.

He just add salt to injury... US protect US , but once others protect their interests it's a problem .
But una must use veto Power, afterall na una dey control the system...
Nigeria must protect Nigeria too