By Abiola Olawale
Fresh details have continued to emerge about the strained diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and the United States of America (USA), which has culminated in the reduction of the validity of most Nigerian non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas from a five-year, multiple-entry allowance to a single-entry, three-month permit.
This is as the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has been accused by some of allegedly initiating actions which reportedly prompted the US to move in the direction it did.
Reports alleged that the development came after Tunji-Ojo reportedly implemented some decisions including a variety of e-visa processes that limit certain applicants eligibility to single entry visas into Nigeria.
Some claimed that this action may have had far-reaching negative consequences on Nigeria’s standing five-year visa policy for US citizens, which the Muhammadu Buhari’s administration implemented very successfully under a bilateral reciprocity policy with the United States.
However, Tunji-Ojo, reacting earlier to the visa policy shift after meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, on July 9, 2025, said the two countries are already exploring ways to resolve the matter in a bid to strengthen bilateral relations.
Also, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, voiced deep concern, asserting that the US visa restriction places an undue burden on Nigerian travelers, including students, business professionals, and tourists.
Ebienfa also asserted that the policy seems “misaligned with the principles of reciprocity, equity, and mutual respect.”
Similarly, the Presidency clarified that Tinubu never suspended five-year visas for US citizens, countering claims that Nigeria’s visa policies prompted the US action.
Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, reiterated Tinubu’s commitment to reciprocity in diplomatic relations, noting that Nigeria continues to offer e-visas to US citizens.
Below are some of the reactions of Nigerians curated from social media;
“Tunji, why did you reduce the U.S. visa validity for Americans from 5 years to just 3 months?
Buhari and Aregbesola gave Americans 5-year visas, but you and Tinubu came in, saw the $160 visa fee, and slashed the validity to 3 months. What exactly are you trying to achieve?”(@Oserume1)
“Woke up to US cutting Naija tourist visa from 5yrs to 3 months single entry, this same morning UAE sef don join with stricter rules maybe even ban. At this rate, na only Togo go soon dey stamp our passport with smile. Whala is not too much like this.”(@Adenekan Mayowa)
“A visa reciprocity deal was reached between the United States and Nigeria, which culminated in the extension of tourist visas from two years to five years with multiple entries on March 1, 2023.
Barely two years into the Bola Tinubu regime, a five-year tourist visa with multiple entries for Nigerians has been reduced to just three months with a single entry.”(@IkeGod_)
