United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has clarified the reasons behind the recent visa restrictions on Nigerians, stressing that the measures form part of broader security procedures and are not targeted at Nigerian citizens.
Speaking at a press briefing on Sunday in Abuja during the visit of a U.S. Congressional Delegation (CODEL), Mills explained that the restrictions are intended to reinforce security checks and ensure more rigorous vetting for visa applicants.
According to him, the presidential proclamation, which takes effect on 1 January 2026 and affects specific visa categories, aims to guarantee proper verification and credible information in the visa process rather than punish Nigerians.
Mills noted that the directive clearly outlines the categories that may be affected and provides exemptions for certain groups, including holders of official and diplomatic passports and individuals travelling for religious purposes.
He advised applicants and members of the public to visit the U.S. Embassy’s official website for full details on the proclamation, the affected visa classes, and available exemptions.
He also encouraged anyone with specific concerns to use the embassy’s designated communication channels for clarification.
Also speaking, U.S. Congressman and leader of the delegation, Bill Huizenga, said visa reviews and restrictions are routine procedures designed to promote compliance and cooperation rather than punitive actions against citizens.
He added that such measures typically focus on government systems and processes and are applied routinely in different countries across the world.