By Gabriella Chinwendu Ayigbo
A wave of concern is spreading among Nigerian professionals, entrepreneurs, families and frequent travellers as the United States Embassy in Nigeria has quietly begun revoking valid visas without giving reasons.
Mr. Olufemi Soneye, former chief corporate communications officer of NNPC Limited, revealed the trend in an article titled “The Quiet Revocation: Why is the U.S. Silently Cancelling Nigerians’ Visas?” He said several affected individuals had received letters from the embassy in recent weeks, instructing them to submit their passports to the consulates in Lagos or Abuja, after which their visas were cancelled.
The termination notices cited Title 22 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Section 41.122, stating that “new information became available after the visa was issued” but offered no evidence or appeal process.
Those affected include a journalist, a federal agency delegate preparing for an international assignment, and an Abuja-based entrepreneur with a clean travel record. Others have had their trips aborted at boarding gates, with some detained by immigration officers and returned home.
The cancellations have disrupted education, medical care, business meetings and family reunions, leaving many financially stranded.
Neither the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria nor Nigerian authorities have issued an official statement on the matter.