Nigeria speaks on US visas ban to Nigerians with clarifications, sets up committee

The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has reacted, with clarifications, to the report concerning the suspension of issuance of American visas to Nigerians.

For Nigeria, it said, the restriction is the suspension of the issuance of “immigrant visas” to Nigerian passport holders only.

The suspension, which will come to effect on February 21, 2020, does not apply to other United States’ visas such as those for official, business, tourism and student travel, the Nigerian Government said.

In a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, sent to The DEFENDER on Saturday February 1, 2020, it was stated that President Muhammadu Buhari had set up a committee chaired by Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, to study and address the updated requirements and work with the U.S Government, INTERPOL and other stakeholders to ensure all updates are properly implemented.

The state read in full as stated below:

“On 31st January 2020, the United States (U.S) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced temporary travel restrictions on six (6) countries including Nigeria.

“For Nigeria, the restriction is the suspension of the issuance of “immigrant visas” to Nigerian passport holders only. This suspension shall come into effect on 21st February 2020. The suspension does not apply to other U.S visas such as those for official, business, tourism and student travel.

“The DHS states the suspension of “immigrant visas” became necessary following a review and update of the methodology (performance metrics) adopted by the U.S Government to assess compliance of certain security criteria by foreign governments. This resulted in certain enhancements on how information is shared between Nigeria and the U.S.

“Nigeria remains committed to maintaining productive relations with the United States and its international allies especially on matters of global security. Accordingly, President Muhammadu Buhari has established a committee, to be chaired by the Hon. Minister of Interior, to study and address the updated U.S. requirements. The committee will work with the U.S Government, INTERPOL and other stakeholders to ensure all updates are properly implemented.”