The United States government has justified its recent wave of visa cancellations affecting Nigerians with valid travel documents, insisting the move was necessary to protect its borders and safeguard its citizens.
The clarification came amid growing concerns after reports emerged that dozens of Nigerians — including students, business professionals, frequent travellers, and families — had their valid visas revoked without prior notice.
Former NNPC spokesperson, Femi Soneye, first raised the alarm, saying affected Nigerians had received formal letters instructing them to submit their passports at U.S. consulates in Lagos or Abuja, only to have their visas cancelled.
Responding to the backlash, a spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria told BBC News Pidgin that the decision was consistent with the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which empowers consular officers to revoke visas at any time if there is evidence of “potential ineligibility.”
“We use all the information we get to do this on a scale never seen before, in order to keep American borders secure and American communities safe,” the embassy said, citing Section 221(i) of the INA.
It added that visas could be cancelled where holders overstay their lawful period of admission, engage in criminal activity, support terrorist organisations, or otherwise violate U.S. laws.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria yesterday issued a fresh security alert, warning its citizens to avoid unnecessary travel to military and government facilities, particularly in Abuja, due to “continued security concerns.”
The advisory urged Americans in Nigeria to steer clear of large gatherings, review personal security plans, and remain vigilant in public places, especially venues frequented by expatriates and government officials.
The latest warning, dated September 2, 2025, follows a string of similar advisories earlier in the year, including alerts after an explosion near Mogadishu Barracks in May and security incidents around the Abuja National Mosque in March.
The embassy stressed that restrictions on visits to military and government facilities remain in place for U.S. Mission staff and citizens, except for approved official duties.
