The United States government has defended its ongoing revocation of valid visas issued to Nigerians, describing the move as a necessary step to protect national security.
At the same time, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria has issued a new advisory cautioning its citizens against visiting military and government facilities, particularly in Abuja.
Reports earlier this week revealed that the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria had begun cancelling visas belonging to students, business professionals, frequent travelers, and families — often without prior warning.
Former NNPC spokesperson, Femi Soneye, raised the alarm over the development, saying many Nigerians had contacted him after receiving sudden cancellation notices.
“In recent weeks, an unsettling trend has quietly unfolded: the United States Embassy in Nigeria has begun revoking valid visas previously issued to Nigerian citizens. This is not rumour or speculation. Dozens of affected Nigerians, professionals, entrepreneurs, and frequent travelers have received formal letters instructing them to submit their passports at the consulate in Lagos or Abuja, only to have their visas unceremoniously cancelled,” Soneye said.
Responding, a U.S. Embassy spokesperson explained that the cancellations were being executed under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which empowers both the Secretary of State and consular officers to revoke visas if there is an “indication of a potential ineligibility.”
The spokesperson stressed: “We use all the information we get to do this in a scale never seen before in order to keep American borders secure and American communities safe.”
The Embassy added: “The Trump administration is protecting our nation and our citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process. Prohibiting entry to the United States by those who may pose a threat to U.S. national security or public safety is key to protecting U.S. citizens at home.
“Under the Trump administration, the State Department is revoking visas in cases where a foreign visitor, including foreign students, have overstayed their lawful period of admission, engage in criminal activity, provided material support to a terrorist organisation or otherwise, violated US laws.”
The U.S. had previously introduced mandatory social media checks as part of its visa application vetting process.
Alongside the visa controversy, the U.S. Mission updated its travel advisory on Wednesday, warning American citizens in Nigeria against “unnecessary travel” to military and government facilities.
The alert, dated September 2, 2025, cited “continued security concerns” and recommended that Americans avoid large gatherings, review personal security plans, and stay vigilant in public places, especially venues frequented by Westerners, expatriates, and government officials.
It also reinforced existing restrictions already imposed on U.S. Mission staff, who may only visit such locations for approved official duties.
The embassy noted: “The security alert highlights heightened security concerns and reinforces restrictions already placed on U.S. Mission employees and citizens in Nigeria, who are currently permitted to visit such locations only for approved official duties.”
This is the latest in a string of warnings. In March, the Embassy advised citizens to avoid the Abuja National Mosque. In May, it urged them to stay away from Mogadishu Barracks after an explosion along the Mararaba-Nyanya bypass. In June, it repeated calls to avoid unnecessary visits to government and military installations. By July, it issued yet another alert over possible demonstrations during the Ashura Commemoration, citing past clashes, roadblocks, and traffic congestion.
The Embassy said the latest advisory reflects broader global security developments and aims to ensure the safety of U.S. citizens and staff in Nigeria.
