The Presidency has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to visa reciprocity, stressing that contrary to widespread misinformation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has never halted the issuance of 5-year multiple-entry visas to US citizens.
Presidential Spokesperson, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, clarified in a statement on Thursday, saying that claims that President Bola Tinubu has stopped issuing 5-year multiple-entry visas to US citizens are false and misleading.
Onanuga said President Tinubu’s stance is in accordance with the principle of subsisting bilateral agreements and reciprocity.
He emphasised that 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 Presidential aide highlighted that on assumption of office, President Tinubu’s administration issued a directive mandating Nigeria to fully honor all bilateral agreements with other countries and to strictly observe the principle of reciprocity in its diplomatic engagements.
Onanuga further stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stressed the position of the Federal Government of Nigeria on the recent adjustment made by the United States’ non-immigrant visa policy for Nigerians.
He affirmed that 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 exist between the two nations.
STATEHOUSE PRESS STATEMENT
PRESIDENT TINUBU NEVER STOPPED THE 5-YEAR NON-IMMIGRANT VISA FOR US CITIZENS
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… pic.twitter.com/bRiKy9Z0Lt
— Bayo Onanuga (@aonanuga1956) July 10, 2025
The Presidential Spokesperson reiterated 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.
According to the Presidential aide, “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.”
Onanuga further stated that 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 assured that the Tinubu-led administration will continue to dialogue and engage with US authorities to resolve any issues that have led to the recent developments.
“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,” the Presidential aide added.