Contrary to recent claims of reciprocity by the United States, Nigerian missions across the U.S. have continued issuing five-year multiple-entry visas to American citizens.
The Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, D.C., as well as the Consulates in New York and Atlanta, confirmed that they have not at any time ceased issuing five-year multiple-entry visas to Americans.
Reports from American business executives and tourists collecting their passports at Nigerian visa centres revealed that they had indeed been issued five-year visas. Similarly, visa applicants attending interviews affirmed that Nigerian missions in the U.S. do not issue three-month single-entry visas to American citizens.
The three-month visa, officials clarified, is a form of “visa on arrival” designed to accommodate last-minute travellers who need to urgently enter Nigeria similar to practices in many other countries.
These findings contradict recent announcements by U.S. authorities regarding visa policy adjustments toward Nigeria, fuelling speculation and public concern about a perceived diplomatic dispute between the two nations.
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Senior Nigerian diplomats across the United States have reaffirmed that Nigeria remains committed to its established visa protocols and strong bilateral relations with the United States.
Speaking to journalists, Ambassador Samson Itegboje, Nigeria’s Acting Ambassador to the U.S., debunked suggestions that Nigeria had reduced visa issuance to single-entry, three-month visas for Americans.
“There is nothing farther from the truth than the claim that we now issue only three-month single-entry visas to Americans,” Itegboje stated.
“As of Friday, 11 July, the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, D.C., was still issuing two-, three-, and five-year multiple-entry visas to Americans.”
He explained that Nigeria had implemented a new Nigeria–U.S. Bilateral Consular Policy Agreement from 1 March 2023, which includes a reciprocal five-year tourist visa for American citizens and three-year validity for diplomatic and official visas.
We have not received any directive from Abuja to stop or reverse this,” he added.
“In fact, the United States recently commended Nigeria for upholding most of the protocols agreed between our two countries.”
Itegboje noted that Nigeria remains open, generous, and fully respectful of its international obligations.
“This robust visa regime is part of President Bola Tinubu’s agenda, which seeks to deepen economic ties, promote legitimate travel, and enhance Nigeria’s global image as Africa’s top destination for trade, investment, and cultural exchange,” he said.
He commended the Nigerian Government’s continued constructive dialogue with the U.S., emphasising that the engagement has been deliberate, transparent, and aligned with global best practices.
Confirmations from Nigerian Consulates in New York and Atlanta
Checks from the Nigerian Consulate-General in New York corroborated Ambassador Itegboje’s position. The mission routinely issues two-year visas to first-time American visitors, while frequent business travellers and tourists receive three- and five-year multiple-entry visas.
Ambassador Abubakar Jidda, Consul-General in New York, dismissed rumours of a policy reversal.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja released a statement regarding reciprocity. However, the Presidency, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Minister of Interior have all provided clarity on the matter,” Jidda said.
“The Nigerian Government has not stopped issuing the five-year multiple-entry visa that was agreed upon with the U.S.”
Jidda acknowledged that the announcement had caused panic among tourists and business travellers seeking entry into Nigeria, but reassured the public that Nigeria remained firm in its visa commitments.
“This gesture is a clear signal of Nigeria’s investor-friendly approach and its commitment to deepening trade and people-to-people ties,” he said.
He added that no directive had been issued from Abuja to halt the five-year visa issuance.
“This is global best practice. Many countries do it—including India. The e-visa complements, but does not replace, the multiple-entry visa,” Jidda stressed.
Ambassador Auwalu Namadina, Consul-General in Atlanta, echoed these sentiments, reaffirming that the mission continued to issue five-year visas to U.S. citizens.
“The Presidency has spoken. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry’s spokesperson have clarified the government’s position. That should suffice,” he said.
“There has been no change. The Federal Government has not asked us to stop issuing five-year multiple-entry visas. I don’t believe that decision will be reversed.”
Consular officers across all three Nigerian missions in the U.S. confirmed that the minimum visa category currently being issued to Americans is a two-year multiple-entry visa. They also noted that Nigerian missions continue to maintain a very high visa approval rate for tourists and business travellers.
