The Nigerian government has expressed its intention to engage with the United States following the recent suspension of the visa dropbox renewal process, which now requires all visitor visa applicants to attend in-person interviews.
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Oluwole Oke, disclosed this during an interview on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television program, on Tuesday. Speaking from New York, Oke stated that he would escalate the issue in Washington, working with Nigeria’s chargé d’affaires to seek possible resolutions.
The dropbox system previously allowed Nigerians with a recent US travel history to renew visas without an interview. However, reports surfaced last weekend indicating that the US had quietly discontinued the service, a move reportedly linked to broader immigration policies under the Trump administration.
Oke downplayed concerns over the policy change, pointing out that Nigeria does not offer a similar dropbox renewal option for American travelers. He emphasized the diplomatic principle of reciprocity, noting that visa policies between countries are often based on mutual agreements.
The lawmaker further revealed that he had contacted Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, who confirmed that the government had not yet received any official communication from the US regarding the policy shift.
Drawing from past diplomatic engagements, Oke referenced Nigeria’s previous visa policy, where Americans were initially granted one-year visas, which was later extended to five years under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to align with US policies.
Despite concerns over the recent changes, Oke expressed confidence that the Trump administration would eventually revisit its immigration policies, citing Nigeria’s strategic importance on the global stage.
“Nigeria is too significant for any country to overlook. We are a valuable partner, and I believe we will see positive outcomes from President Donald Trump’s engagements in the future,” he stated.
Since taking office on January 20, 2025, President Trump has intensified immigration restrictions, including mass deportations of undocumented migrants, sparking mixed reactions worldwide. While supporters advocate for tighter immigration controls, critics warn of potential diplomatic strains.
The United States remains a top destination for Nigerian migrants, with approximately 376,000 Nigerians residing there as of 2015. The Nigerian diaspora is also a crucial economic contributor, remitting over $20 billion annually to Nigeria, according to 2023 World Bank data.
