Outcry as Nigerians discover US visas cancelled at airports

The United States Embassy in Nigeria has started quietly cancelling valid visas that had already been issued to Nigerians. This sudden action has left many professionals, business owners, frequent travellers, and families stranded, with their plans disrupted and expenses mounting.

Former NNPC spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, revealed this in an article titled “The Quiet Revocation: Why is the U.S. Silently Cancelling Nigerians’ Visas?” He explained that several people confirmed receiving official letters from the embassy in recent weeks. The letters asked them to submit their passports at the consulates in Lagos or Abuja. Once submitted, their visas were cancelled without explanation.

The cancellation notices only cited a U.S. law, saying “new information became available after the visa was issued,” but gave no details or option to appeal.

Among those affected are a well-known journalist, the head of a federal agency who was scheduled to give a speech abroad, and an Abuja-based entrepreneur with a perfect travel record. Many others include Nigerians who travel regularly for education, business, medical care, and family visits.

Some people only discovered their visas had been cancelled at the airport, just before boarding. A few were even briefly detained by immigration officers before being turned back.

So far, neither the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria nor the Nigerian government has released a public statement on the matter, leaving affected citizens confused and worried.

Those whose visas were revoked say they have never overstayed, broken immigration rules, or posed any security risks. This has led to fears that the U.S. may be quietly tightening its visa policy against Nigerians.

Analysts suggest this could be linked to longstanding scrutiny of applicants from countries with high migration rates. Nigeria has often been singled out for tougher reviews, and Outcry as Nigerians discover visas cancelled at airportssome fear this is simply a continuation of that practice