The United States has warned that it will deny visas to senior Nigerian officials found guilty of corruption.
The U.S. Embassy in Abuja made this known in a post on its X page, stressing that the fight against corruption is not limited to a select group of people. “Even top officials found guilty of corruption may be denied U.S. visas,” the statement read.
In the past, the U.S. had barred some Nigerian politicians from entering the country over allegations of election interference and undermining democracy. According to the embassy, the move is aimed at promoting transparency, justice, accountability, and respect for agreements between the U.S. and its partner nations.
The warning has sparked debate in Nigeria, with some citizens supporting it as a step in the global fight against corruption, while others view it as a strong message to public officeholders and those with ties to the U.S. However, the embassy has not specified when the new visa restrictions will take effect.