House of Reps Condemns US New Visa Decision On Nigerian Citizens.
By Ferdinand Olise
The House of Representatives on Tuesday condemned the recent decision by the United States government to shorten the validity of non-immigrant visas issued to Nigerian citizens, describing the move as unfair, harmful to bilateral relations, and detrimental to millions of law-abiding Nigerians.
Rising under a Motion of Urgent Public Importance during plenary, some Lawmakers; Hon. Muhammad Muktar, alongside co-sponsors Hon. Jesse Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, Hon. Adefiranye Ayodele Festus, Hon. Atu Chimaobi Sam, and Hon. Akiba Bassey Ekpenyong, called on the U.S. government to immediately rescind the new policy, which reduces visa validity from a five-year multiple entry to a three-month single entry.
According to Hon. Muktar, urged the a house to rise in defense of the Nigerians, especially those whose aspiration to study, work, or reunite with family in the U.S. now stands threatened by a unilateral policy shift.
“This new policy will inflict significant consequences across multiple spheres,” Muktar said.
He warned that this can undermine Nigeria’s strategic objective of attracting monthly remittances of over $1 billion through diaspora bonds.
The lawmakers expressed concern that the July 8, 2025 policy change by the U.S. Department of State will have far-reaching consequences on business operations, academic pursuits, and family connections, particularly among members of Nigeria’s vibrant diaspora community.
According to he motion, the historic and strategic partnership between Nigeria and the United States, has been built on shared democratic values, mutual respect, and robust cooperation in areas such as trade, education, and security.
The motion read; “It is deeply disturbing that this policy shift comes despite decades of goodwill, sacrifices, and bilateral efforts invested by both governments and citizens to promote common goals.
Nigerians in the U.S. have made enormous contributions to healthcare, technology, academia, arts, and public service. Names like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Dr. Bennet Omalu, and Uzoma Asagwara are just a few among many.”
The House also highlighted the vital contributions of Nigerians living in the United States, describing them as one of the most educated and productive immigrant communities in the country.
The Lawmakers also recalled the efforts of the Nigeria-United States Parliamentary Friendship Group (NUSPFG), which has consistently engaged with U.S. institutions, Congress members, including Rep. Chris Smith, and State Department officials to advance mutual understanding, and address issues around security, profiling, and immigration fairness.
The House therefore unanimously resolved and condemned in strong terms, the U.S. government’s decision to downgrade Nigerian visa status without due consideration of the strategic and people-centric relationship between both nations;
The House aso urged the United States Embassy in Nigeria, and the U.S. Department of State to rescind the new visa policy and restore the five-year multiple-entry visa regime previously granted to Nigerians.
It also mandated the Nigeria-United States Parliamentary Friendship Group to formally communicate the position of the House to the U.S. Congress, the State Department, and the Embassy in Nigeria, and intensify diplomatic efforts for fairer immigration policies.
The House directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to engage the U.S. Government diplomatically to prevent further erosion of relations, and to protect the dignity and mobility of Nigerian citizens.
Likewise, the House encouraged continued dialogue between Nigerian and American institutions, both governmental and non-governmental, to resolve concerns on security, human rights, and policy misperceptions.
The House therefore urged the U.S. government to adopt a more subtle approach that reflects the realities of both nations’ long-standing cooperation, and to reaffirm its commitment to people-to-people diplomacy, especially as Nigeria continues to play a vital role in regional peace and democratic consolidation in Africa.
