President Bola Tinubu has directed all federal ministries, departments and agencies to step up cooperation in verifying the identities of Nigerians seeking consular services overseas.
The directive follows new visa restrictions by the United States and United Arab Emirates targeting Nigerian travellers.
In a statement on Tuesday, July 15, signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said relevant agencies have been instructed to create a unified verification system to support foreign missions in confirming passport details, biometric data and criminal records in real time.
The statement, titled ‘On Recent Developments in Visa Issuance Policies by the United States and the United Arab Emirates’, also confirmed that government officials are working to address the concerns raised.
Last week, the US government reduced most non-immigrant visas issued to Nigerians from multi-year, multiple-entry permits to single-entry, three-month visas.
U.S. authorities cited “the current rate of visa overstays by Nigerian nationals” and the “need for reliable access to their records.”
Barely two days later, the UAE halted transit visas for Nigerians and imposed strict new requirements for tourist visas, including barring solo travellers aged 18 to 45. Applicants over 45 must now show six months of personal bank statements reflecting at least $10,000 in monthly balances.
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Abu Dhabi has not formally communicated the policy to Nigeria, but travel agents confirm the new rules are being gradually enforced.
“In response, President Bola Tinubu has directed all federal agencies to ensure full compliance with Nigeria’s international obligations and to strengthen inter-governmental cooperation in authenticating the identities of individuals seeking consular services abroad,” the statement said.
It continued, “The President calls on all Nigerians to respect the immigration regulations of their host countries and to uphold the integrity of the permits and privileges granted to them under the laws of those jurisdictions.”
Tinubu also assured citizens that his government is working to protect their interests.
“The President assured all Nigerians that his administration will continue to pursue the best possible outcomes for citizens abroad, ensuring that Nigerians can travel, work, and live with dignity and respect in any part of the world, in line with the Tinubu administration’s 4-D Foreign Policy agenda and its Diaspora plank,” the statement said.
The Presidency added that Nigeria remains committed to “mutual respect and collaboration” with both the United States and the UAE, stating that any “genuine concerns” will be resolved through diplomatic channels.