When the United States (US) announced on Tuesday that it was imposing new visa restrictions on Nigerians, many were quick to blame US President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration policies, but what was missing in most criticisms is the announcement noting that the measure was reciprocal.
“The United States Department of State has announced updates to its reciprocal non-immigrant visa policy, impacting several countries, including Nigeria,” the US Embassy in Nigeria said.
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Under the new policy, most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerian citizens will now be single-entry and valid for only three months, a sharp cut from the multi-year, multiple-entry visas many Nigerians have enjoyed in the past.
However, the US made it clear this move mirrors how the Nigerian government treats American citizens seeking entry into its territory.
Notably, this move comes just over two years after the Nigerian government reciprocated the US’s five-year visa policy after both governments secured new Bilateral Consular Policy Agreements.
Then-Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, had directed the full implementation of the visa reciprocity policy for US citizens with effect from March 1, 2023.
It was not immediately clear when the Nigerian government shifted to the three-month visa validity period that sparked US’s retaliation, but the shift likely came under current Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and President Bola Tinubu, who assumed office in May 2023.
A Case of Reciprocity
The principle of visa reciprocity is neither new nor uniquely American. Most countries issue visas to foreign nationals based on how their own citizens are treated by those countries. That was precisely the message from the US State Department, which emphasised that visa validity and entry terms are subject to ongoing review and can be adjusted depending on how other countries treat American travellers.
To many observers, this change exposed the long-standing restrictiveness of Nigeria’s own visa policy, especially toward citizens of Western countries, including the US.
Nigerian journalist Eniola Akinkuotu captured the dilemma in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), where he recounted how a European ambassador once told him that he could not get a one-year Schengen visa due to Nigeria’s restrictive visa policies for Europeans.
“Last year I was invited by an ambassador of a European country. I was given just 90 days Schengen visa. I told them to make it 1 year. His response: Do you know the duration of visa Nigeria gives our citizens? It’s reciprocity. Little synergy between foreign affairs & interior,” Akinkuotu wrote.
A foreign policy enthusiast, Dru Squatch, also blamed the Nigerian government for forcing the hand of the US government to impose the restrictions.
“This is an unnecessary L by the way. For some time now, the United States has been issuing 5 years (for visiting) and 2 years (for studying) visas to Nigerians,” he wrote. “This reciprocal policy is solely because Nigeria still limited visas it issued to US citizens to 3-months.”
Squatch complained that if Nigeria were “a more reasonable country with smarter people at the helm of foreign policy”, the US visa policy shift would not have happened.
“An L that could have been avoided if Nigeria simply gave back to the US what they gave us. But the $160 visa application fee for each single entry is too juicy for our Nigerian immigration policy makers to let go,” he added.
Human Rights lawyer, Ayo Sogunro, declined to fault “Trump’s xenophobia” for the US announcement, stating that, “Ngeria’s visa process is cumbersome and expensive. Even the visa on arrival process can have you waiting at MMIA for two hours after arrival.”
“We need leaders to drive modern reforms, instead we have cabals with 1970s mentality.”
How Restrictive Is Nigeria?
Officially, Nigeria offers a range of non-immigrant visa types, including short-visit visas (Tourist, Business, Transit), Temporary Work Permits (TWP), and subject-to-regularisation visas. But they are far from liberal.
- Tourist and Business visas are typically single-entry and valid for 30 to 90 days. Validity refers to how soon you must enter Nigeria, not the maximum time you can stay. The maximum stay period is 30 days for these visas.
- Most foreign nationals—including Americans—must apply in advance, present invitation letters, provide financial proof, and pay application fees that can exceed $160, often matching what Nigerians pay for US visas.
- Nigeria’s Visa on Arrival programme is largely limited to business travellers and is not available to tourists.
- Extensions and multiple-entry visas are rare and subject to a cumbersome approval process involving multiple government agencies.
According to online guides and foreign travel advisory platforms, Nigeria’s visa procedures are widely seen as bureaucratic and lacking transparency, which frustrates travellers and businesses alike.
In comparison, Nigeria’s ECOWAS neighbours like Ghana and Senegal offer far more flexible visa options to attract investment and tourism and it helped their citizens get visa-travel to some destinations of choice.
For example, Ghanaians are now allowed visa-free entry to the Bahamas for tourism or business. In an effort to boost tourism, Ghana also opened up visa-free travel to all Africans from January 2025. Essentially, all African passport holders are now able to visit Ghana without needing a visa, opening the door for Ghana citizens to enjoy same privilege from all African countries.
In contrast, Nigeria operates a far more restrictive travel policy, with visa-free travel available to only ECOWAS countries in most cases.
Missed Opportunity?
Critics argue that Nigeria’s own policies are at odds with its aspirations to attract global partnerships and become a hub for business and tourism in West Africa. And now, the consequences of its restrictive approach have come full circle.
FURTHER READING
With the US downgrading visa access for Nigerians, reciprocity has become a double-edged sword, one that may now limit the very global mobility Nigeria hopes to secure for its citizens.
Philip Ibitoye is a Special Correspondent with EKO HOT BLOG. Click here to find daily analysis and critical insight on trending issues in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.
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