The Nigerian government has clarified that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has not stopped issuing five-year multiple-entry visas for U.S. citizens, contrary to misinformation circulating online.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
According to Mr. Onanuga, ”Contrary to misinformation and fake news circulating online, President Bola Tinubu has never stopped issuing five-year multiple-entry visas for US citizens, in accordance with the principle of subsisting bilateral agreements and reciprocity.
”Immediately after assuming office, President Tinubu’s administration issued a service-wide directive that Nigeria implement all bilateral agreements with other nations and adhere to the principle of reciprocity in diplomatic relations, ” the statement said.
It further noted that the Nigerian government maintained that it granted 5-year multiple-entry non-immigrant visas to U.S. citizens in accordance with bilateral agreements and the principle of reciprocity.
The statement added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the recent adjustment made by the U.S. government to its non-immigrant visa policy for Nigerians does not affect the visa policy for U.S. citizens in Nigeria.
It also said that the Nigerian government adhered to the principle of reciprocity in diplomatic relations, implementing bilateral agreements with other nations.
The U.S. government’s recent adjustment to its non-immigrant visa policy for Nigerians has been acknowledged, but the Nigerian government believed it does not accurately reflect the principle of reciprocity.
The statement assured that Nigerian government would continue to engage with U.S. authorities to address any issues that have led to the recent developments and to promote mutual understanding and partnership between the two nations.
It also announced that the Nigeria has introduced an e-visa policy for citizens of several countries, including the U.S., which is a fast and online process that does not require applicants to visit the embassy.
The e-visa policy is part of President Tinubu’s efforts to boost investment, trade, and tourism in Nigeria, as well as promote the ease of doing business for non-nationals.
The statement reads, ”We want to reiterate 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.
”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 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.
”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 U.S. authorities to resolve any issues that have led to the recent developments.”
Meanwhile, a different report suggested that President Bola Tinubu’s administration quietly downgraded the visa duration for U.S. citizens from five years to three months in mid-2024, allegedly for revenue generation purposes.
The move is said to have prompted the U.S. to reciprocate by limiting Nigerian visa durations to 3 months.
”@Osarume, said, ”In February 2023, under President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria made a landmark policy move: U.S. citizens were granted 5-year visas to Nigeria, a step toward easing travel and improving bilateral relations.
”Fast forward to mid-2024, under President Bola Tinubu’s government, that policy was reversed.
“Tinubu’s administration quietly downgraded the visa duration for U.S. citizens from five years to just three months.
”No announcement. No consultation. Just a silent, self-serving policy change. And the motive? Purely revenue generation.
”With a visa fee of $160, shortening the visa length meant Americans would have to apply more often, allowing Tinubu’s government to collect more money per head. Simple. Greedy.
”Now, the U.S. has responded as expected, by reciprocating. As of July 8th 2025, Nigerians can now only get three-month U.S. visas, down from the two-year and five-year options many had come to rely on.
”The worst part? Ordinary Nigerians, especially those without diplomatic or second passports, are the ones paying the price.
”Business people, students, tourists, and families are now trapped in a cycle of short visas, higher costs, and more uncertainty, all because of a thoughtless policy born out of desperation for dollars.
”Yet, the media is silent.
Where are the so-called investigative journalists? Where are the headline-grabbing newsrooms that should be telling Nigerians the truth? Instead of holding the government accountable, they are either ignoring the story or recycling the U.S. Embassy’s statement without context.
”And what about Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior? The man behind the implementation of this regressive policy. He owes Nigerians an explanation. But don’t expect one, he’ll likely unleash his Twitter foot soldiers to spin this and shift blame to the United States.
”Let’s call it what it is: APC is an evil party. Their only interest is squeezing money out of Nigerians and now foreigners, with zero concern for the long-term damage. From fuel hikes to mass inflation to policy missteps like this, Tinubu’s government continues to deepen Nigeria’s suffering.”
