The House of Representatives has strongly condemned the United States government’s recent decision to reduce the validity period of non-immigrant visas issued to Nigerian citizens, describing the policy change as unjust and detrimental to longstanding bilateral relationships.
During Tuesday’s plenary session, lawmakers unanimously passed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Muhammad Muktar and co-sponsors, calling for the immediate reversal of the policy that cuts visa validity from five-year multiple-entry status to just three months single-entry.
The new visa restrictions, which took effect on July 8, 2025, have drawn sharp criticism from Nigerian legislators who argue that the unilateral decision unfairly penalizes millions of law-abiding Nigerian citizens seeking to travel to the United States for legitimate purposes.
“Mr. Speaker, Honourable Colleagues, this House must rise in defense of the ordinary Nigerian whose aspiration to study, work, or reunite with family in the U.S. now stands threatened by a unilateral policy shift,” Hon. Muktar declared while presenting the motion.
The lawmakers expressed particular concern about the far-reaching implications of the policy change, warning that it would severely disrupt business operations, academic pursuits, and family reunifications, especially within Nigeria’s extensive diaspora community.
Muktar emphasized the broader economic implications, cautioning that the restrictive measures could undermine Nigeria’s ambitious goal of attracting over $1 billion in monthly remittances through diaspora bonds, a critical component of the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
The House highlighted the historically strong partnership between Nigeria and the United States, built on shared democratic principles, mutual respect, and extensive cooperation across trade, education, and security sectors. Legislators described the timing of the visa policy change as particularly troubling given the decades of goodwill and collaborative efforts between both nations.
In defending Nigerian immigrants, the House praised the community as among the most educated and productive in the United States, citing significant contributions to healthcare, technology, academia, arts, and public service. The motion specifically recognized prominent figures including acclaimed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, renowned pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu, and public servant Uzoma Asagwara.
The lawmakers also referenced the ongoing work of the Nigeria-United States Parliamentary Friendship Group, which has consistently engaged American officials to address concerns around security profiling and immigration fairness affecting Nigerian citizens.
In response to the controversial policy, the House passed several resolutions including a formal condemnation of the U.S. decision, a demand for immediate policy rescission, and directives for the Parliamentary Friendship Group to communicate Nigeria’s official position to American authorities.
The legislators also mandated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to pursue diplomatic engagement with the United States government and encouraged continued dialogue between Nigerian and American institutions to resolve the dispute.
The House urged the United States to adopt more nuanced policies that better reflect the realities of the long-standing cooperation between both countries, while reaffirming the importance of people-to-people diplomacy as Nigeria continues its role in promoting regional peace and democratic consolidation across Africa.
