The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has assured Nigerians that the recently announced visa restrictions by the United States government are not intended to punish Nigerian citizens, but are part of broader efforts to enhance national security and strengthen immigration screening procedures.
Ambassador Mills, who represents the government of the United States of America in Nigeria, made this clarification on Sunday, 21 December 2025, while addressing journalists at a news conference in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital city. The briefing took place during the official visit of a United States Congressional Delegation to Nigeria.
Okay News reports that the ambassador explained that the visa measures were introduced through a presidential proclamation that will take effect on Thursday, 01 January 2026, and will apply only to specific visa categories. According to him, the policy is aimed at improving border security and protecting communities within the United States, rather than singling out Nigerians for punitive treatment.
“The focus of the visa review is on ensuring proper vetting and credible information in the visa process, not on penalising Nigerians,” Mills said.
He noted that the proclamation clearly outlines which visa categories could be affected, while also spelling out exemptions designed to ensure legitimate travel is not disrupted unnecessarily. The ambassador listed holders of official and diplomatic passports, as well as individuals travelling for religious purposes, among those exempted from the restrictions.
Ambassador Mills further advised prospective visa applicants and members of the public to rely on official sources for accurate information. He encouraged Nigerians to visit the official website of the United States Embassy for detailed explanations regarding the affected visa categories and the exemptions provided under the proclamation.
He also urged individuals with specific questions to use the designated communication channels made available by the embassy, stressing that these platforms are the most reliable means of obtaining guidance.
Also speaking at the briefing, the Leader of the United States Congressional Delegation, Representative Bill Huizenga, a member of the United States House of Representatives, said visa reviews and restrictions are standard tools used by the United States government to encourage compliance and cooperation from partner countries.
Huizenga explained that such measures are not targeted at ordinary citizens, but are focused on government systems and processes. He added that similar visa reviews are regularly conducted in various parts of the world.
The United States government, through the News Agency of Nigeria, reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining strong people-to-people ties between the United States and Nigeria. It described the visa reviews as part of a broader engagement strategy aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation while addressing shared security concerns.
The visa clarification follows an announcement made by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, in which he unveiled expanded entry restrictions affecting foreign nationals from 24 countries. The President cited “demonstrated, persistent, and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing” as risks to United States national security and public safety.
