The United States has said recent visa restrictions announced by Washington are not meant to punish Nigerians but to improve security checks ahead of travel to the country.
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The clarification came in Abuja on Sunday from the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, during a briefing held as a United States Congressional Delegation visited Nigeria.
The new rules stem from a presidential proclamation signed in December and scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, affecting specific visa categories as part of broader border security measures.
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US officials explained that the review is focused on strengthening screening, vetting, and information sharing in the visa process, not on targeting Nigerian citizens or limiting long-standing ties between both countries.
Mills noted that several groups are exempt from the restrictions, including holders of diplomatic and official passports, as well as individuals travelling for religious purposes, and advised applicants to rely only on official embassy channels for accurate details.
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The leader of the visiting congressional team, Representative Bill Huizenga, added that visa reviews are routine global practices used to improve compliance by governments, stressing that such actions are aimed at systems, not people.
The US government reaffirmed its commitment to strong relations with Nigeria, saying the visa changes form part of wider cooperation to address shared security concerns while preserving people-to-people connections.
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