The United States’ Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has clarified that the recent visa restrictions announced by the U.S. government are aimed at strengthening security procedures and are not targeted at Nigerians.
Mills made the remarks on Sunday during a news conference in Abuja, coinciding with the visit of a U.S. Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to Nigeria.
He explained that the presidential proclamation, effective Jan. 1, 2026, affecting certain visa categories, forms part of broader efforts to secure U.S. borders and protect American communities.
“The focus of the visa review is on ensuring proper vetting and credible information in the visa process, not on penalising Nigerians,” Mills said.
The ambassador highlighted that the proclamation specifies the visa categories affected while also providing exemptions, including holders of official and diplomatic passports, as well as individuals travelling for religious work.
Mills urged visa applicants and the public to consult the U.S. Embassy’s official website for detailed information on the proclamation, affected visa categories, and available exemptions. He also advised using designated embassy communication channels for specific inquiries.
Speaking at the event, Leader of the U.S. Congressional Delegation, Rep. Bill Huizenga, noted that visa reviews and restrictions are routine measures used to encourage compliance and cooperation, rather than punitive actions against citizens. He emphasised that such reviews target government systems and processes, not the Nigerian people, and are applied in different countries worldwide.
The U.S. government has reaffirmed its commitment to strong people-to-people ties with Nigeria, describing the visa measures as part of a wider engagement to strengthen bilateral cooperation and address shared security concerns.