The United States (US) Embassy in Nigeria has clarified that over 55 million foreign nationals, including Nigerians with valid US visas, are being screened as part of the new US security measures.
The embassy explained that the US government is enforcing long-standing immigration laws to enhance national security and prevent the entry of individuals who may pose a threat.
The embassy clarified this in an email to The PUNCH in response to growing concerns over recent reports of sudden visa cancellations involving Nigerian citizens.
This followed an opinion piece by a former spokesperson for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Olufemi Soneye, published by TheCable.
In the article, Soneye revealed that he had reviewed at least eight visa cancellation notices issued to Nigerian professionals, entrepreneurs, among others.
The notices reportedly referenced Title 22, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 41.122, and cited ‘new information which became available after the visa was issued’, according to the article.
Soneye criticised the lack of transparency and due process in the visa revocation process, stating that the affected individuals were offered no evidence, explanation or opportunity to appeal. Instead, they were simply advised to reapply.
Soneye said, ‘No evidence is shared. No avenue for appeal is offered. Recipients are merely advised to reapply if they wish, an instruction that provides no comfort to those suddenly stripped of their mobility’.
In a response to an inquiry by The PUNCH on the alleged visa revocation, a US Embassy spokesperson stated that the visa revocations are part of efforts to ensure that individuals who may pose a threat to US interests are not allowed entry in the country.
‘The Trump administration is protecting our nation and our citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process.
‘Prohibiting entry to the United States by those who might pose a threat to US national security or public safety is key to protecting US citizens at home.
‘Every prospective traveller to the United States undergoes interagency security vetting. The Department’s continuous vetting includes all of the more than 55 million foreigners who currently hold valid US visas’, the embassy stated.
The embassy explained that visa revocations typically involve individuals who overstay their permitted duration, commit crimes, or are linked to activities that threaten US security.
The embassy also pointed out that the State Department has long had the legal authority, under the Immigration and Nationality Act, to revoke visas at any time.
‘Under the Trump Administration, the State Department is revoking the visa in cases where a foreign visitor – including foreign students – overstays their lawful period of admission, engages in criminal activity, provides material support to a terrorist organisation, or otherwise violates US law.
‘This work is based squarely on the Department’s authorities under the Immigration and Nationality Act – tools that have existed for decades. Section 221(i) gives the Secretary and Consular Officers discretion to revoke visas at any time, and we use this authority to take action when there is an indication of a potential ineligibility under the INA.
‘While we have had this revocation authority for decades, we are using all the information we have to do this on a scale never seen before, in order to keep American borders secure and American communities safe’, the embassy added.
In a related development, Nigerians are facing new restrictions on visa validity. Beginning in July 2025, the US began issuing most non-immigrant visas to Nigerians—including B 1/B 2 (business and tourism), F 1 (students), and J 1 (exchange visitors)—on a three-month, single-entry basis.
The US Mission described the changes as the result of ‘a technical and security-based evaluation intended to strengthen the integrity of the US immigration system,’ and denied any political motivation behind the new policy.
In August 2025, the United States Mission in Nigeria introduced a new requirement for all visa applicants to submit a five-year history of their social media usage. The US Embassy announced the policy via its official X (formerly Twitter) account, stating that applicants must provide all social media usernames or handles used in the past five years on the DS-160 visa application form.
Reacting, the Federal Government said it will reciprocate the US’s new visa policy.
On 2 September, the US Mission in Nigeria also urged Nigerian travellers to strictly adhere to the terms of their US visas, warning that misuse could jeopardise future travel to the United States. In a statement on its X account, the mission cautioned that overstaying beyond the authorised period may lead to severe consequences, including restrictions on future travel.
‘It’s important to use your US visa according to its terms. Misusing it, for example, by overstaying, may affect your ability to travel to the US in the future’, the mission said.
The US Department of State reported over 700,000 visa overstays in 2023 alone, with Nigeria ranking among the top affected countries.
Under the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, overstaying a visa between 180 and 365 days results in a three-year ban on re-entry, while overstays exceeding one year carry a 10-year ban.
