ABUJA, NIGERIA — The United States Embassy in Nigeria has reportedly begun a quiet and unannounced campaign of revoking previously issued valid visas, leaving a growing number of Nigerian citizens in a state of confusion and financial distress. The sudden cancellations, which often come without warning or clear explanation, have disrupted travel plans for professionals, students, and families.
According to multiple reports, affected individuals have received terse notices from the U.S. Embassy in Lagos or Abuja, instructing them to submit their passports. Upon doing so, they are met with the news that their visas have been revoked. The letters cite a section of U.S. federal law (Title 22, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 41.122), which allows for visa revocation if "new information became available after the visa was issued." However, no further details or evidence are provided, and no clear process for appeal is offered.
This development follows a recent change in U.S. visa policy for Nigerians, which, as of July 8, 2025, limited most non-immigrant visas to a single-entry, three-month validity period. While that policy was framed as a "reciprocity measure," the current wave of revocations affects visas issued before this change, some of which had validity periods of several years.
The lack of transparency surrounding the revocations has led to widespread speculation and alarm. Many of the affected individuals insist they have never overstayed a visa, violated immigration rules, or engaged in any activity that would raise a security flag. A prominent journalist, a senior government official, and several business executives are reportedly among those who have had their visas cancelled, forcing them to abandon critical international engagements.
For many, the first sign of trouble has been at the airport, where they have been turned back at the boarding gate or, in some cases, briefly detained before being denied entry. This has resulted in significant financial losses from non-refundable tickets and cancelled business commitments.
The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria has not yet issued a public statement on the matter, leaving thousands of Nigerians who hold valid U.S. visas in a state of uncertainty. Similarly, Nigerian government officials have remained silent, despite the growing public outcry. The situation is seen by some observers as a quiet tightening of U.S. entry controls for Nigerian nationals, with potentially far-reaching consequences for diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between the two countries.
Source -https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/nigerian-professionals-families-stranded-as-u-s-cancels-visas/
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