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President Muhammadu Buhari has set up a Committee, headed by Minister of Interior, Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola, to study and address issues related to the suspension of the issuance of immigrant visas to Nigerians and nationals of five other countries.
A statement by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), which announced the setting up of the Committee said that the suspension of the issuance of “immigrant visas” to Nigerian passport holders would come into effect on 21st February 2020 and “does not apply to other U.S visas such as those for official, business, tourism and student travel.”
Full text of the statement reads:
UNITED STATES SUSPENSION OF THE ISSUANCE OF IMMIGRANT VISAS TO NIGERIANS
On 31st January 2020, the United States (U.S) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced temporary travel restrictions on six (6) countries including Nigeria.
For Nigeria, the restriction is the suspension of the issuance of “immigrant visas” to Nigerian passport holders only. This suspension shall come into effect on 21st February 2020. The suspension does not apply to other U.S visas such as those for official, business, tourism and student travel.
The DHS states the suspension of “immigrant visas” became necessary following a review and update of the methodology (performance metrics) adopted by the U.S Government to assess compliance of certain security criteria by foreign governments. This resulted in certain enhancements on how information is shared between Nigeria and the U.S.
Nigeria remains committed to maintaining productive relations with the United States and its international allies especially on matters of global security. Accordingly, President Muhammadu Buhari has established a committee, to be chaired by the Hon. Minister of Interior, to study and address the updated U.S. requirements. The committee will work with the U.S Government, INTERPOL and other stakeholders to ensure all updates are properly implemented.
FEMI ADESINA
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
February 1, 2020
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