The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has clarified that the recent visa restrictions affecting Nigerians are part of broader security measures and are not specifically targeted at Nigerian citizens.
Mills made the clarification on Sunday in Abuja during a press briefing held as part of the visit of a United States Congressional Delegation to Nigeria.
According to the ambassador, the measures are aimed at strengthening security procedures and ensuring thorough vetting of visa applicants.
“The presidential proclamation, effective January 1, 2026, affecting certain visa categories, is aimed at ensuring proper vetting and credible information in the visa process, not at penalising Nigerians,” Mills said.
He explained that the proclamation clearly outlines the visa categories that may be affected and also provides exemptions for specific groups, including holders of official and diplomatic passports, as well as individuals travelling for religious purposes.
Mills advised Nigerians seeking United States visas to consult the official website of the US Embassy for detailed information on affected visa categories and applicable exemptions. He also encouraged applicants with concerns to use the embassy’s designated communication channels for clarification and guidance.
Also speaking at the briefing, a US Congressman and leader of the delegation, Bill Huizenga, described visa reviews and restrictions as standard global practices. He noted that such measures are intended to promote compliance and cooperation, rather than punish citizens of any particular country.
Huizenga added that visa restrictions often focus on government systems and administrative processes and are routinely applied in countries around the world, stressing that the current measures should not be interpreted as actions directed specifically at Nigerians but as part of normal international security and immigration procedures.