The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) urged Nigerians to adhere strictly to U.S. visa conditions to prevent further travel restrictions, following a U.S. Embassy warning of potential sanctions due to non-compliance rates exceeding 20% in 2024.
NIS Comptroller-General Kemi Nandap highlighted issues like overstays, visa fraud, and failure to attend deportee screenings, which prompted the U.S. to impose a 10% visa fee hike and threaten broader curbs. The NIS launched a public awareness campaign, training 500 officers to assist applicants, and reported a 15% drop in violations since January 2025.
The U.S. Embassy clarified that 50,000 Nigerians were affected by visa denials or revocations last year, attributing this to inadequate documentation and criminal records, though some Nigerian diaspora groups argue the measures target low-income travelers unfairly.
Analysts suggest this reflects global tightening of immigration policies, but local critics question the NIS’s capacity to enforce compliance amid corruption allegations. The narrative of diplomatic pressure is a wake-up call for Nigerians, with compliance potentially determining future travel freedoms, though systemic issues may undermine efforts.