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The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has said that the recent visa restrictions announced by the U.S. government are not targeted at Nigerians but are intended to strengthen security procedures.
Mills made the clarification while speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, December 21. He explained that the presidential proclamation, which will take effect from January 1, 2026, and affect certain visa categories, is part of broader measures to secure U.S. borders and protect American communities.
“The focus of the visa review is on ensuring proper vetting and credible information in the visa process, not on penalising Nigerians,” Mills said.
According to him, the proclamation clearly outlines the visa categories that may be affected, as well as exemptions for specific groups.
He listed the exemptions to include holders of official and diplomatic passports, as well as individuals travelling to the United States for religious work.
The ambassador urged visa applicants and members of the public to consult the U.S. Embassy’s official website for detailed information on the proclamation, affected visa categories and available exemptions.
President Donald Trump, on Tuesday, December 16, signed a proclamation further restricting entry into the United States for nationals of countries identified as high risk due to what the White House described as persistent and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting and information sharing that threaten national security and public safety.
Nigeria is among 15 additional countries placed under partial entry restrictions under the new policy.
