US visa restrictions not to penalise Nigerians- Envoy

The United States’ Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has said that the recent visa restrictions announced by the U.S. government are not in anyway targeted at Nigerians but designed to strengthen security procedures.

Mills  stated this while speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, December 21.

He said the presidential proclamation, which would take effect from Jan. 1, 2026, affecting certain visa categories, was 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 specifies the visa categories that may be affected, while also outlining exemptions for certain groups.

He listed the exemptions to include holders of official and diplomatic passports, as well as individuals travelling for religious work.

The ambassador urged visa applicants and members of the public to consult the US 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.Nigerian Event Listings

Among the 15 additional countries placed under partial entry restrictions is Nigeria.