The Federal Government of Nigeria plans to engage in diplomatic efforts and collaborate with the relevant authorities to address the suspension of the drop box service for Nigerians renewing their American visas.
This was disclosed by Oluwole Oke, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program on Tuesday.
“I am the US (United States). I will take this matter up. After finishing my meeting in New York here, I will be in Washington as well. We have chargé d’affaires there. I will take this matter up with him and see how we can navigate and resolve the issues,” Oke said.
The drop box system, which previously allowed visa applicants with recent US travel history to submit their passports without an interview, significantly reduced wait times.
However, over the past weekend, reports emerged that the United States had discontinued the visa drop box service in Nigeria. This change now requires all visitor visa applicants to attend in-person interviews for renewals.
The move coincides with a broader crackdown on migrants under the Donald Trump administration.
Oluwole Oke, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, downplayed the development, noting that Nigeria does not provide a similar service for Americans renewing their Nigerian visas.
Oke further stated that he had contacted Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, who confirmed that the Nigerian government has not received any formal communication from the United States regarding the suspension of the drop box service.
The lawmaker said, “I don’t think there is any serious issue here. It is the prerogative of the United States to cancel the drop box procedure for renewing visas for Nigerians. There is a principle of reciprocity in the diplomatic arena.
“As regards visa renewal, that’s not what we offer Americans in the United States, that’s not what our consulates when Americans or Nigerians born in America want to renew their visas, we don’t offer them drop box. That they offered us a drop box, I think it was entirely their prerogative.
“For example, until President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office, the American government was issuing Nigerians visas for two years, we were issuing them one year. Later, they moved to issuing visas for five years but we were issuing them for one year until President Bola Tinubu came on board and directed the Minister of Interior to reciprocate.
“Unfortunately, it is their prerogative, it is their decision. I contacted the Minister of Foreign Affairs if he had any information regarding this and he told me clearly that he is not in receipt of any communication correspondence from the United States of America regarding this issue.”
Oke also expressed optimism that the Trump presidency would review some of its policies and won’t want to become unpopular among the nations of the world.
“Nigeria is that such a very important country in the comity of nations that no country will want to ignore. Take it from me. We are that asset that the entire world is waiting to tap. I am positive that we will reap, going further, from the activities of President Donald Trump,” he said.