- U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, addressed recent U.S. visa restrictions.
- The restrictions are aimed at enhancing security procedures.
- They are not specifically targeting Nigerian citizens.
The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has clarified that the recent U.S. visa restrictions are intended to strengthen security procedures and are not aimed specifically at Nigerian citizens.
Ambassador Mills made the statement on Sunday in Abuja during a press briefing held alongside the visit of a U.S. Congressional Delegation to Nigeria.
He explained that the presidential proclamation, which will take effect on January 1, 2026, impacts certain visa categories and forms part of broader efforts to enhance U.S. border security and protect American communities.
Focus on Vetting, Not Punishment
Mills emphasized that the review is designed to ensure proper vetting and the presence of reliable information during the visa application process, rather than to disadvantage Nigerian applicants.
“The visa review is focused on proper screening and accurate information, not on penalizing Nigerians,” he said.
The Ambassador also highlighted that the proclamation clearly outlines which visa types may be affected and specifies exemptions for certain groups. These include holders of official and diplomatic passports, as well as individuals traveling to the U.S. for religious purposes.
He urged prospective visa applicants and the public to check the U.S. Embassy’s official website for detailed information on affected visa categories and exemptions, and to use the embassy’s official communication channels for any specific inquiries.
Visa Restrictions Are Not Punitive
Representative Bill Huizenga, leader of the U.S. Congressional Delegation, also addressed the event, noting that visa reviews and restrictions are standard practices aimed at ensuring compliance and cooperation, not punishing citizens.
Huizenga added that such measures usually target governmental systems and processes rather than the people themselves and that similar reviews are conducted in other regions worldwide.
The U.S. government reaffirmed its commitment to strong people-to-people ties with Nigeria, describing the measures as part of ongoing efforts to enhance bilateral cooperation and address shared security concerns.
Background
Last week, Nigeria was officially added to a new list of countries subject to U.S. travel restrictions following a presidential proclamation signed by President Donald Trump. The proclamation, described by the White House as “based on data-driven assessments of security, vetting, and immigration compliance risks,” imposes partial travel restrictions on Nigeria, affecting both immigrant visas and selected non-immigrant categories.
With this addition, Nigeria joins 14 other countries under partial suspension, while several African and non-African nations continue to face either full bans or ongoing restrictions.
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