U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria Richard Mills has clarified that the recently announced U.S. visa restrictions are intended to enhance security vetting procedures and are not directed at Nigerians as a group.
The ambassador provided this explanation on Sunday in Abuja during a press briefing held as part of a visit by a U.S. Congressional Delegation (CODEL).
According to Ambassador Mills, the presidential proclamation, which takes effect on January 1, 2026, applies to specific visa categories as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen U.S. border security and safeguard 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.
He emphasized that the proclamation clearly identifies the affected visa categories and includes specific exemptions.
Among those exempt are holders of official and diplomatic passports, as well as individuals traveling for religious purposes.
Ambassador Mills encouraged visa applicants and the public to consult the U.S. Embassy’s official website for complete details on the proclamation, the impacted visa categories, and the applicable exemptions.
He also advised anyone with specific questions to contact the embassy through its designated communication channels.
Rep. Bill Huizenga, who led the Congressional Delegation, described visa reviews and restrictions as standard, routine measures designed to promote compliance and cooperation rather than to punish individuals.
Huizenga noted that these measures primarily target government systems and processes, not the Nigerian people, and that similar reviews are regularly conducted in other countries around the world.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that, while announcing these visa measures, the U.S. government reaffirmed its strong commitment to maintaining robust people-to-people ties with Nigeria.
The measures were presented as part of broader efforts to deepen bilateral cooperation and address mutual security challenges.