The presidency has dismissed reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu revoked the issuance of five-year multiple-entry visas for United States citizens.
A statement on Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to
the president on information and strategy, clarified that Nigeria has not
withdrawn the long-term visa privileges previously extended to US nationals,
contrary to viral reports on social media.
The clarification follows a decision by the US government to
reduce the validity period and number of entries for most non-immigrant,
non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerian citizens.
In an announcement on Tuesday, the US embassy in Nigeria
said the affected visa categories will now be limited to single-entry and a
three-month validity period.
Reacting to public concerns and speculation that Nigeria may
have triggered the change through a policy shift, Onanuga said Tinubu’s
administration has, since its inception, directed that Nigeria should adhere to
all bilateral agreements and apply the principle of reciprocity in diplomatic
engagements.
Onanuga said the US government’s claim of reciprocity as the
reason for its current visa policy towards Nigeria does not accurately reflect
the actual situation.
He said the Nigerian government has not deviated from
granting US citizens a five-year multiple-entry non-immigrant visa, just as the
US has continued to grant the same to Nigerians.
“The ministry of foreign affairs 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,” the
statement reads.
“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.”
Onanuga said the Tinubu administration remains committed to
strengthening bilateral ties and resolving any lingering concerns through
dialogue and diplomacy.
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