The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has assured Nigerians that the recent visa restrictions announced by the U.S. government are not directed at Nigerian citizens but are part of broader efforts to enhance border security and immigration controls.
Mills gave the assurance on Sunday in Abuja while briefing journalists during the visit of a United States Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to Nigeria.
He explained that the presidential proclamation, scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026, applies only to specific visa categories and is intended to strengthen vetting procedures and improve access to credible information during the visa application process.
“The objective of the visa review is to ensure proper vetting and reliable information, not to punish Nigerians,” the ambassador said.
According to him, the proclamation clearly identifies the visa categories that may be affected and also provides exemptions for certain groups.
He said exemptions apply to holders of official and diplomatic passports, as well as persons travelling for religious purposes.
The ambassador advised prospective applicants and members of the public to visit the official website of the U.S. Embassy for accurate and detailed information on the new measures, including affected visa categories and applicable exemptions.
He further urged those seeking clarification to make use of the embassy’s designated communication channels.
Also speaking, the leader of the U.S. Congressional Delegation, Rep. Bill Huizenga, said visa reviews and restrictions were standard policy tools used globally to promote compliance and cooperation.
Huizenga stressed that such measures are focused on improving government systems and processes rather than targeting citizens of any particular country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the U.S. government has reiterated its commitment to sustaining strong people-to-people relations with Nigeria, despite the introduction of the visa reviews and restrictions.
According to NAN, the measures form part of broader engagement efforts aimed at strengthening bilateral relations while addressing shared security concerns.
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