The federal government has criticised the recent decision by the United States to impose tighter visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens, describing it as “unfair and disproportionate”.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Kimiebi Ebienfa,
spokesperson for the ministry of foreign affairs, said the federal government
viewed the development with “concern and keen interest,” especially considering
the historically cordial ties between both countries.
The US government had announced a revision of its visa
reciprocity schedule for Nigerians, reducing the validity of certain
non-immigrant visas—such as B1/B2 (business and tourism), F (student), and J
(exchange visitor) categories—to just three months and limiting them to single
entry.
Ebienfa said the “decision appears misaligned with the
principles of reciprocity, equity, and mutual respect that should guide
bilateral engagements between friendly nations.”
He added that the policy change would have wide-reaching
implications for Nigerians, including students pursuing education in the US,
professionals with legitimate business interests, and families visiting loved
ones.
According to the ministry’s spokesperson, the restriction
could hamper educational and cultural exchanges that have long been a
foundation of US-Nigeria relations.
Ebienfa said Nigeria respects the sovereign right of every
nation to determine its immigration policies but urged the US to reconsider its
decision in the spirit of cooperation.
“While acknowledging the sovereign right of every country to
determine its immigration policies, Nigeria respectfully urges the United
States to reconsider this decision in the spirit of partnership, cooperation,
and shared global responsibilities,” he said.
He confirmed that diplomatic engagements are ongoing and reaffirmed
Nigeria’s commitment to finding a fair and balanced resolution.
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Why should Nigeria be pleading for safe landing for US travelling ban on Nigerians. If the U.S. decides to restrict Nigerians from entering the United States, they should reciprocate, period, there’s no reason why Nigeria government should be begging for normalisation of the system as it used to be. Nigeria is a sovereign and a great country, the government shouldn’t bows to any external pressure, intimidation and bully. If the U.S. bans Nigerians from entering the U.S., Nigeria should also stop US citizens from entering Nigeria. The Mexican President, who suppose to be is woman, dealt with Trump visas ban on Mexican nationals, but she retaliated by deporting US citizens who were not documented from Mexico and she deployed military forces on the country’s border with the US. I expect Nigeria government to react in such a manner and not to cry for help. Nigeria has passed that stage of begging before getting what he wants. Trum can’t do what he’s doing to Nigeria to a small country like Burkina Faso because he knows that the young military President will reciprocate immediately because he’s not a puppet of the west. America knows who he should attack because he knows their weakness.
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