The Federal Government of Nigeria has stated it would take diplomatic action and hold talks with relevant authorities over the suspension of the drop box service for Nigerians renewing their US visas.
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Oluwole Oke, stated this while speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme recently.
Oke said: “I am in the US. I will take this matter up. After finishing my meeting in New York, I will also be in Washington. We have a chargé d’affaires there, and I will discuss this issue with him to find a way to resolve it.”
Oke explained that the suspension of the service was not a major issue, as Nigeria does not provide a similar service to Americans renewing their Nigerian visas.
He stated, “I don’t think this is a serious issue. The United States has the right to cancel the drop box procedure for Nigerians renewing their visas. In diplomacy, there is the principle of reciprocity.
“As for visa renewal, that’s not a service we offer Americans in the United States. When Americans or Nigerians born in America want to renew their visas, we don’t provide them with a drop box. The fact that they gave us the option was entirely their choice.”
He added that until President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office, the United States government issued Nigerians two-year visas, while Nigeria issued United States citizens only one-year visas.
