Segun Atanda/
The Presidency has dismissed reports suggesting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu halted the issuance of 5-year multiple-entry visas to United States citizens, describing them as false and misleading.
In a press statement released today by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to honoring existing bilateral agreements, including visa reciprocity arrangements with the United States.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has never stopped issuing 5-year multiple-entry visas for US citizens,” Onanuga stated. “This policy remains in line with the principle of reciprocity and long-standing diplomatic agreements.”
The rebuttal comes amid growing concerns triggered by a shift in U.S. non-immigrant visa policy toward Nigerian citizens. While the U.S. government attributed the change to a lack of reciprocity, the Nigerian government insists otherwise.
“The Nigerian government has not deviated from granting US citizens a 5-year multiple-entry non-immigrant visa, just as the US has continued to grant the same to Nigerians,” Onanuga stated.
He explained that the newly introduced 90-day single-entry visa applies only to the e-visa category, which replaces the now-discontinued visa-on-arrival system. According to the Presidency, the e-visa offers a streamlined, online process completed within 48 hours, and is designed for tourists and business travelers who prefer to avoid long embassy procedures.
“The e-visa policy aligns with President Tinubu’s broader economic agenda to promote investment, trade, tourism, and the ease of doing business in Nigeria,” the statement added.
Onanuga also noted that, while Nigeria now offers e-visas to U.S. citizens and several other nationals, the U.S. government has yet to reciprocate.
Despite the policy friction, the Tinubu administration pledged to maintain diplomatic engagement with Washington to ensure fair treatment of Nigerian citizens and preserve the historically strong relationship between the two nations.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other senior government officials will continue to engage with the United States to address the unfavourable restrictions in a just and fair manner,” the statement assured.
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