Nigerians holding valid visas are increasingly being denied entry into the United States as new embassy investigations quietly unfold. Reports show that travelers—including students, business professionals, and frequent visitors—have had their visas suddenly revoked under Title 22 CFR Section 41.122, a rule that allows consular officers to cancel visas when new information arises.
The situation has left many stranded after investing in flights, tuition, or business trips, only to be turned away at airports. Some of the affected visas were issued recently, while others had been valid for years. What troubles many travelers is the lack of transparency—no detailed explanation is being offered as to why their visas are invalidated.
This development follows an earlier policy shift that reduced Nigerian nonimmigrant visas from five year multiple entry permits to single entry with just three months of validity. At the time, the US government said the decision was based on reciprocity, pointing to Nigeria’s own visa restrictions for Americans.
The Nigerian government is closely monitoring the situation, with the foreign affairs ministry calling for clarity as uncertainty grows for citizens planning study, work, or leisure travel. Analysts say the restrictions highlight deepening tensions in US Nigeria relations and could strain bilateral cooperation in areas such as education, commerce, and security.
For now, Nigerians are urged to confirm the status of their visas before making travel commitments, as more cases of sudden cancellations may surface in the coming weeks.