The House of Representatives on Tuesday condemned in strong terms the recent decision by the United States government to downgrade Nigerian visa status without due consideration of the historical, strategic, and people-centric ties between both nations.
The United States Department of State on non-immigrant visa validation from the existing five-yearJuly 8th shortened Nigeria’s one-year multiple entry visa to a three-month single entry visa.
The House expressed concern that the decision will affect monthly diaspora remittances if travel becomes uncertain, and will inflict significant consequences across multiple spheres, including businesses’ constraints, academic disruption and diaspora.
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The Lower Chamber also said the policy shift undermines longstanding, strategic, and historic relationship between Nigeria and the United States, a relationship grounded in mutual respect, shared democratic values, robust bilateral cooperation and people-to-people engagement.
The House urged the United States Embassy in Nigeria and the US Department of State to rescind the new visa policy and restore the five-year multiple entry visa regime previously granted to Nigerian citizens in the spirit of mutual respect, equity, and reciprocity.
This is sequel to a motion of urgent importance sponsored by Muhammad Muktar, and four other Lawmakers.
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The House also mandated the Nigeria United States Parliamentary Friendship Group to formally communicate the position of the House to the US. Congress, the US Department of State, and the US. Embassy in Nigeria, and to intensify bilateral legislative diplomacy for fairer immigration policies
The House further mandated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to engage the US Government diplomatically to prevent further erosion of relations and to protect the dignity and mobility of Nigerian citizens.
