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Presidency faults US over visa restrictions on Nigerians, demands fair treatment

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The Presidency on Thursday faulted the United States government over its claim that Nigeria failed to reciprocate its five-year, multiple-entry visa policy.

It also dismissed reports claiming that President Bola Tinubu cancelled the issuance of five-year multiple-entry visas for United States citizens, describing such claims as “misinformation and fake news.”

“We want to reiterate that the US government’s claim of reciprocity as the reason for its current visa policy towards Nigeria does not accurately reflect the actual situation,” it said in a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The statement is titled ‘President Tinubu Never Stopped The 5-year Non-immigrant Visa For Us Citizens.’

The Presidency clarified that Nigeria continues to grant five-year non-immigrant visas to US citizens under existing bilateral agreements and reciprocal arrangements.

It also accused online sources of misrepresenting the current visa regime.

“Contrary to misinformation and fake news circulating online, President Bola Tinubu has never stopped issuing 5-year multiple-entry visas for US citizens, in accordance with the principle of subsisting bilateral agreements and reciprocity,” the statement read.

This follows recent adjustments by the United States to its non-immigrant visa policy for Nigerians.

In early July 2025, the US government revised its visa policy for Nigerian citizens, reducing most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visa categories—such as B-1/B-2 (tourist/business), F (student), and J (exchange)—to single-entry, three-month validity.

This marked a sharp departure from the previous two- to five-year multiple-entry visas that Nigerians were eligible to receive.

The changes took immediate effect, although existing visas issued before July 8 remain valid until their original expiration.

The U.S. Embassy in Abuja explained the decision as part of its global visa reciprocity policy, which aims to ensure that visa treatment of U.S. citizens is mirrored by the host countries.

According to the embassy, Nigeria does not currently offer U.S. citizens visa terms equal to those previously granted to Nigerians, prompting the adjustment.

The U.S. stressed that reciprocity, not retaliation, was the basis for the change.

However, the Presidency said the notion that the Tinubu administration halted the policy is incorrect.

“Immediately after assuming office, President Tinubu’s administration issued a service-wide directive that Nigeria implement all bilateral agreements with other nations and adhere to the principle of reciprocity in diplomatic relations,” the statement stated.

The presidency also addressed recent confusion surrounding Nigeria’s introduction of a 90-day e-visa, clarifying that the shorter visa validity applies only to the newly introduced digital visa-on-arrival system, and not to standard visa categories.

“The 90-day single-entry visa validity period only applies to the newly introduced e-visas, a short-term visa category for tourists and business people who may not wish to undergo the standard visa application process and wait.

“The e-visa replaces the now obsolete visa-on-arrival, which was inefficient and often used as a means of extortion,” the presidency explained.

It argued that the e-visa, which is delivered online within 48 hours, aligns with Tinubu’s broader push to boost trade, tourism, and ease of doing business in Nigeria.

However, it noted that the US has yet to reciprocate Nigeria’s e-visa policy.

“Although Nigeria has an e-visa policy for citizens of the US and several other countries, the US has not reciprocated this gesture for Nigerians,” it said.

The Presidency affirmed that Nigeria remains committed to resolving the issue through diplomacy.

It said, “In the spirit of cooperation, mutual understanding, and partnership that have characterised the relationship between Nigeria and the United States over the decades, the Tinubu-led administration will continue to dialogue and engage with US authorities to resolve any issues that have led to the recent developments.”

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Rep. Nkwonta Facilitates With Constituents, Nigerians On Easter

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 ……

Enjons Them  To Imbibe Christ -Like  Virtues

The Member, representing Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC), Hon. Chris Nkwonta, has enjoined his Constituents and Nigerians, to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice, forgiveness, hope, patience, humility and love for humanity as exemplified by Our Lord Jesus Christ, which is the real essence of Easter Celebration.

In a statement personally signed by the Legislator, he called on his Constituents and the Christian Community in Nigeria to demonstrate Christ-like virtues of love for humanity, hope for a better future, peaceful and harmonious disposition in their dealings with one another for a United Ukwa Federal Constituency and indeed Nigeria, where brotherly love reigns amongst Citizens.

He maintained that despite the prevailing temporary economic difficulties; there is light at the end of the tunnel and strong hope for a better, improved and secured economy within a short period of time.

Hon. Nkwonta, wished everyone a hitch free and joyous Easter Celebration!

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Police, Lawyer Trade Tackles Over Killing Of Peace Moses By Hit-And-Run Convoy

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The Rivers State Police Command has declared that the tragic death of a 26-year-old lady, Peace Moses, an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, was not reported in any of its divisions or units across the state.

Peace was knocked down last Monday evening by a convoy of about 15 fast-moving vehicles around Omega Junction along Ada-George Road in Port Harcourt.

She was returning from an evening service at her church, Love Channel Christian Centre, also located along Ada-George Road, when the tragic incident occurred.

Last Thursday, a candlelight procession was organised in her honour by her friends and neighbours.

Speaking with our correspondent  in Port Harcourt yesterday, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), wondered why neighbours could not report the incident to the Police.

Iringe-Koko stated that even the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the Rumuepirikom Police Division was unaware of the tragic incident.

“Probably they didn’t report any such incident to the Police Station because the DPO in charge of that area is asking me where and when the incident occurred.

See, if they don’t report cases to the Police, how would the Police know? We are not magicians. I just spoke with the DPO, and she said she is not aware of anything like that.

“Somebody needs to report or anyhow, information needs to get through so that we too will get it,” she said.

But reacting to the claim by the Police, a human rights lawyer, Courage Nsirimovu, said that, with or without a report on the tragic incident, the Police are duty-bound to investigate the matter.

Nsirimovu said: “The duty of the Nigerian police is to secure lives and properties, and where a life has been lost in such grievous circumstances, the police have a duty to investigate the matter on the basis of their mandate and the public need to prevent such a menace to human life.

“The Police have a duty to investigate the matter, with or without a petition.”

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Nigerians may seek third term for Tinubu – Oluwo

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The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, on Sunday said many Nigerians might seek a constitutional amendment to allow President Bola Tinubu to remain in office beyond two terms.

The monarch, in a congratulatory message by his spokesperson, Ibrahim Alli, to celebrate Tinubu’s 74th birthday, described the President as a decisive leader who has laid a renewed foundation of hope for the country.

“Many Nigerians may beg for a constitutional review for Tinubu to spend more than two terms in office. He is a leader who knows what he is doing,” he said.

Oluwo said the President had distinguished himself through what he described as a firm campaign against illegalities that had stalled the country’s economic growth.

He added that the President’s administrative prowess had driven notable gains, citing improvements in the naira, a rise in foreign reserves from about $1bn to between $49.5bn and $50.45bn as of late February/March 2026, and strengthened economic indices.

The monarch attributed the gains to structural reforms, including exchange rate unification, increased oil output and higher foreign investment inflows.

Oluwo also commended Tinubu for granting local government autonomy, increasing allocations to states, expanding road infrastructure and improving palliative distribution at the grassroots.

According to him, past leaders attempted similar economic reforms but were overwhelmed by public and political pressure.

He said only a capable leader could implement tough but necessary decisions to reposition the economy.

‎Oluwo added that the President’s policies had begun to impact the standard of living, noting that the next phase would be stability.

‎He said, “You are not yet a capable leader until you make decisions and stand by them. Many past presidents attempted to remove obstacles to economic prosperity but were overrun by public outcries. Tinubu has demonstrated uncommon leadership through reforms.

‎“Nigeria’s foreign reserves have increased to over $49.5bn from about $1bn. Local government autonomy is taking effect, states earn more, and road projects, including Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and Sokoto-Badagry, are ongoing.”

 

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