July 10, 2025 | Abuja, Nigeria — The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Wednesday, held a closed-door meeting with the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, in Abuja, to discuss the recent changes in US visa policy affecting Nigerian citizens.
The meeting came in the wake of the US government’s new directive limiting non-immigrant visas for Nigerians to a single entry with a validity of only three months — a move that has sparked widespread concern and speculation across diplomatic and public sectors.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Interior, the discussion centered on fostering mutual understanding and addressing the concerns surrounding the revised visa policy. The Minister expressed Nigeria’s readiness to engage constructively with the US to resolve any underlying issues that may have influenced the decision.
“Our focus is on strengthening bilateral relations and ensuring that Nigerians are not unfairly impacted by policy shifts,” Tunji-Ojo stated. “We believe in diplomacy and are optimistic that this engagement will open doors to a more favorable resolution.”
Ambassador Mills, in response, reiterated the commitment of the United States to maintaining strong ties with Nigeria, noting that the visa changes were part of a broader review aimed at aligning global visa policies with evolving security and migration challenges.
While no formal policy reversal was announced, both parties agreed to continue dialogue and cooperation through diplomatic channels to ensure that citizens of both countries benefit from sustained partnership and mutual respect.
The visa restriction, which took effect earlier this week, has drawn criticism from various quarters, with stakeholders calling on the federal government to take urgent diplomatic steps. The Interior Minister’s swift move to engage the US envoy is seen as a significant step toward easing tensions and advocating for fair treatment of Nigerian travelers.