The Federal Government of Nigeria has committed to diplomatic discussions with US authorities to address the recent suspension of the drop box service for visa renewals.
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Oluwole Oke, disclosed this while speaking during an interview.
“I am currently in the US and will take up this matter. After my meetings in New York, I will head to Washington to discuss the issue with our chargé d’affaires and explore possible solutions,” Oke stated.
He downplayed concerns over the suspension, noting that Nigeria does not offer a similar drop box service for Americans renewing their Nigerian visas.
“This is not a major issue. The US has the right to discontinue the drop box option for Nigerians. In diplomacy, the principle of reciprocity applies,” he explained.
Oke highlighted that, before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office, the US granted Nigerians two-year visas, whereas Nigeria issued US citizens only one-year visas. The US later extended its visa validity to five years, while Nigeria continued with one-year visas. However, Tinubu directed the Minister of Interior to implement a five-year visa policy for Americans to ensure parity.
“The decision to remove the drop box service is entirely theirs. I contacted the Minister of Foreign Affairs to confirm if any official communication had been received from the US, and he confirmed that no formal notification had been issued,” Oke added.
He expressed confidence that the US would reconsider some of its policies, emphasizing Nigeria’s significance on the global stage.
“Nigeria is a key player in global affairs, and no nation can afford to ignore us. We remain a strategic partner, and the world is watching,” he said.
The drop box service previously allowed certain visa applicants, particularly those with a recent US travel history, to renew their visas without attending in-person interviews. However, over the weekend, reports emerged that the US had discontinued the service in Nigeria, requiring all visitor visa applicants to undergo face-to-face interviews for renewals.
