The House of Representatives on Thursday expressed support for the motion which seeks to extend the single entry visas into Nigeria for investors and tourists to five years.
The lawmakers argued that such move will strengthen bilateral relations with friendly countries and impact positively on various aspects of the economy through the inflow of foreign direct investment.
The resolution was passed following the adoption of the motion sponsored by Johnson Agbonayinma (APC-Edo).
Some of the lawmakers who spoke in favour of the moriin are: Shehu Shagari (APC-Sokoto); Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje (PDP-Abia); Sergius Oguns (PDP-Edo State) and Johnson Agbonayinma (APC-Edo)
In his lead debate, Agbonayinma who doubles Chairman, House Committee on Nigeria-US Parliamentary Relations expressed optimism that Nigeria stands to benefit economically through foreign direct investment inflow and bilateral relations with Asian and European countries.
He therefore called for an upward review of its one year single visa entry policy.
He observed that “Nigeria’s visa issuance procedures and rules approves only a maximum of one year single entry visa for American visa applicants and other Applicants from other countries entering Nigeria, whereas the American Government issues a maximum of up to five years multiple entry Visas to Nigerian applicants.
“The House also notes that the issuance of one year entry visa to Americans and applicants from other countries, irrespective of their purpose of visit to Nigeria is counter-productive to the economic growth of the nation, bilateral relations and inflow of foreign investments.
“The House is aware that given the close ties the United States of America and many European and Asian countries have with Nigeria in the areas of economy, public health, peace, security and education, the issuance of only one year single entry visas and unnecessary visa policies to citizens of those friendly countries has inadvertently affected the number of foreign visitors willing to invest in Nigeria.
“The House is also aware of statistics showing that over 850,000 Nigerians applied for United States visas and successful applicants were issued a maximum of up to five years’ entry visas and reports indicate that two of every Nigerian applicants are successful in their quest for visa to the United States.
“The House is cognizant of the need for a review of the nation’s Visa policy which will likely lead to an increase in the number of American, Asian and European investors visiting the country for businesses and also increase the presence of tourist visitors to the country, thereby boosting the economy through tourism,” the Edo lawmaker stressed.
According to him, “an estimated one million Nigerians and Nigerian-Americans live, study and work in the United States and Nigeria has the highest population of African immigrants in the country which makes it imperative for Nigeria to sustain the cordial relationship by reciprocating the good gesture of the United States by reviewing our Visa issuance policy from a single One-Year Entry to up to Five-Years for American visa applicants and those of other countries.
To this end, the House mandated the joint committees on Interior and Foreign Affairs to interface with relevant government agencies with the view to look into the upward review of the length of visa issuance to America and other foreign countries based on reciprocity.
KEHINDE AKINTOLA, Abuja
