The United States Embassy in Nigeria has set off shockwaves across the country as it quietly begins revoking visas that were previously valid and issued to Nigerians. The move has left many professionals, entrepreneurs, families, and frequent travelers stranded, with disrupted plans and mounting financial losses.
Several affected citizens, ranging from top business executives and government parastatal heads to frequent flyers, revealed they were asked through official letters to submit their passports at the embassy in Abuja or the consulate in Lagos.
To their shock, the visas, once proudly stamped and valid, were abruptly canceled without clear explanations.
The letters cited a provision under Title 22, Section 41.122 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, vaguely stating that “new information became available after the visa was issued.” Beyond this line, however, there was no detail, no reason, and no room for appeal.
For many, the impact has been devastating. Trips for international conferences have been canceled, business deals worth millions disrupted, and family reunions ruined.
Some Nigerians only discovered their visas had been revoked at the airports or boarding gates, leading to humiliating moments, detention scares, and forced returns home.
The revocations come on the heels of the U.S. government’s earlier decision to limit Nigerian non-immigrant visas to just three months, single-entry, a drastic cut from the multiple-entry visas that used to last between two and five years.
The quiet wave of cancellations now paints an even bleaker picture for Nigerians hoping to travel to the United States.
Observers are calling the move opaque and unfair, demanding clarity from U.S. authorities and a diplomatic response from the Nigerian government. Critics argue that the lives of hardworking citizens should not be derailed by sudden, unexplained cancellations.
For now, the silence from the U.S. side continues, while Nigerians directly affected by the policy face broken plans, wasted resources, and unanswered questions.


