The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills has clarified that the recently announced U.S. visa restrictions are designed to enhance security vetting processes and are not aimed at the Nigerian population as a whole.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday, which coincided with a visit from a U.S. Congressional Delegation (CODEL), Ambassador Mills noted that the presidential proclamation, set to take effect on January 1, 2026, will impact specific visa categories as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen U.S. border security and safeguard American communities.
“The focus of the visa review is on ensuring comprehensive vetting and accurate information in the visa application process, rather than penalizing Nigerians,” Mills explained.
He highlighted that the proclamation outlines which visa categories will be affected and includes certain exemptions, such as for holders of official and diplomatic passports, as well as individuals traveling for religious purposes.
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Ambassador Mills encouraged visa applicants and the public to check the U.S. Embassy’s official website for comprehensive details about the proclamation, the visa categories involved, and the applicable exemptions. He also urged anyone with specific questions to contact the embassy through its official communication channels.
Rep. Bill Huizenga, who led the Congressional Delegation, described visa reviews and restrictions as standard practices aimed at promoting compliance and cooperation, rather than punishing individuals.
Huizenga stressed that these measures are primarily focused on government systems and processes, not on the Nigerian people, and noted that similar reviews are regularly conducted in various countries around the world.
The U.S. government reaffirmed its strong commitment to maintaining robust people-to-people ties with Nigeria. These measures are part of broader efforts to enhance bilateral cooperation and address shared security challenges.
