Government Tells US To Make Visa Process Easy For Nigerians

The Federal Government of Nigeria has asked the United States of America to make the visa process easier for Nigerian travellers.

Before now, the U.S. has executed a number of policies in the past couple of years, especially under former President Donald Trump, that have been unfavourable to Nigerians.

During a signing ceremony with Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, on Thursday, November 18, 2021, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema, asked that President Joe Biden relax those regulations.

Onyema particularly called for the indefinite suspension of the drop box mechanism. The suspension meant Nigerians who wanted visa renewals had to make a physical visit to a consulate, eliminating an interview waiver privilege they used to enjoy.

“We hope that the Secretary would also help to ease the visa challenges that Nigerians wishing to enter the U.S. have,” the Nigerian Foreign Minister said

The U.S. had said when it suspended the drop box mechanism in 2019 that it was to promote legitimate travel.

Blinken did not directly address the plea from Onyema in his comments before the signing of a $2.1 billion Development Assistance Agreement, but he defined the partnership between Nigeria and the U.S. as ‘incredibly broad’ and ‘increasingly deep’.

“We welcome working in ever closer ways, because one of the things that we feel very strongly is that the big challenges all of our citizens face simply can’t be addressed by any one of us acting alone,’’ the U.S. Secretary of State said.

He also met with President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on his first physical visit to Nigeria.

Source

Pulse NG

Featured Image Source: US Mission In Nigeria