Nothing has been heard from the Nigerian government following the widely reported cancellation of visas granted the country’s citizens by the United States Embassy.
The former spokesperson for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Olufemi Soneye, in a recent article released on Premium Times, raised an alarm over what he described as ‘quiet revocations of visas for Nigerians by the US Embassy’.
In his publication titled, ‘The quiet revocation: Why is the US embassy silently canceling Nigerians’ visas?, Soneye alleged that Nigerian citizens, including professionals, entrepreneurs, frequent travellers, and families, are stranded in the US Embassy, which revoked their valid visas.
Soneye said several affected individuals had confirmed receiving official letters from the embassy in recent weeks, instructing them to submit their passports at the consulate in Lagos or Abuja. Unfortunately for them, upon submission of their passports, their visas were cancelled without explanation.
He said in the cancellation notices the embassy cited Title 22, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 41.122, which stated that “new information became available after the visa was issued,” but provided no details, evidence, or avenues for appeal.
He noted that among those impacted are a prominent journalist, the head of a federal government agency scheduled to deliver an international address, and an Abuja-based entrepreneur with a spotless travel record.
Others include professionals and frequent travellers, who rely on visas for education, family reunions, medical treatment, and critical business engagements.
“Beyond that, nothing is explained. No evidence is shared. No avenue for appeal is offered. Recipients are merely advised to reapply if they wish – an instruction that provides no comfort to those suddenly stripped of their mobility,” he stated.
However, Nigeria’s foreign affairs ministry has yet to respond to the situation as of the time of filing the report.
