President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has refuted claims circulating online that his administration has halted the issuance of five-year multiple-entry visas to U.S. citizens, describing the reports as “misinformation and fake news.”
In an official statement released on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the presidency clarified Nigeria’s position following recent adjustments to the United States’ non-immigrant visa policy for Nigerian applicants.
“Contrary to misinformation and fake news circulating online, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has never stopped issuing 5-year multiple-entry visas for U.S. citizens, in accordance with the principle of subsisting bilateral agreements and reciprocity,” the statement read.
Onanuga emphasized that shortly after assuming office, the Tinubu administration issued a directive mandating all ministries and agencies to fully implement bilateral agreements with foreign governments, including the United States.
He explained that the recently introduced 90-day single-entry visa only applies to the newly launched e-Visa category—a fast-track option for tourists and business travelers that replaces the now-defunct visa-on-arrival system.
“The e-visa is a fast, online process that does not require applicants to visit the embassy and is processed within 48 hours. It is designed to eliminate inefficiencies and reduce opportunities for extortion,” the statement noted.
The presidency reaffirmed that the five-year multiple-entry visa remains available for U.S. citizens under the standard visa process, just as Nigeria expects the same treatment from the United States.
“We want to reiterate that the U.S. government’s claim of reciprocity as the reason for its current visa policy towards Nigeria does not accurately reflect the actual situation,” the statement added.
While the Nigerian government has implemented an e-visa policy to promote ease of travel, investment, and tourism, it noted that the United States has yet to reciprocate this initiative for Nigerian travelers.
The Tinubu administration expressed its commitment to resolving any diplomatic issues through ongoing dialogue and engagement with U.S. authorities, stressing the importance of maintaining mutual respect and cooperation between the two nations.
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