US Defends Visa Revocations, Warns Citizens in Nigeria Against Military Facility Travel

The United States government has defended its recent wave of visa revocations affecting Nigerians, insisting the action is necessary to protect national security.

This comes as the U.S. Mission in Nigeria issued a fresh security alert on Tuesday, cautioning its citizens to avoid military and government facilities in Abuja and other parts of the country due to what it described as “continued security concerns.”

In recent weeks, Nigerians holding valid U.S. visas including students, business professionals, and frequent travelers reported sudden cancellations without prior notice. Former NNPC spokesperson, Femi Soneye, raised alarm over what he called “an unsettling trend,” noting that dozens of affected citizens were instructed to submit their passports at U.S. consulates in Lagos and Abuja, only to find their visas revoked.

Responding to the backlash, a spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy told BBC News Pidgin that the cancellations were carried out under Section 221(i) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The provision empowers the Secretary of State and consular officers to revoke visas if there are indications of potential ineligibility.

“We use all the information we get to do this on a scale never seen before in order to keep American borders secure and American communities safe,” the spokesperson said.

The Embassy emphasized that visa revocations are part of broader efforts by the U.S. government to combat overstays, criminal activity, and links to terrorism. It also reaffirmed that under the current administration, the State Department is applying strict scrutiny to foreign visitors, including mandatory social media checks.

Meanwhile, the U.S. security advisory urges American citizens in Nigeria to avoid unnecessary travel to sensitive facilities, steer clear of large gatherings, and review personal security plans. The alert reinforces restrictions already placed on U.S. Mission employees, who are permitted to visit such facilities only for official duties.

The latest warning follows a series of advisories this year, including a March caution against visiting the Abuja National Mosque, a May alert after an explosion near Mogadishu Barracks, and a July notice warning of potential disruptions during the Ashura Commemoration.

Dated September 2, 2025, the new advisory ties the restrictions to broader global security developments and calls on U.S. citizens in Nigeria to remain vigilant in public places, especially locations frequented by expatriates, government officials, and Westerners.