By Jesusemen Oratokhai
Nigerian journalist, Chukwudi Enekwechi has criticized the US Embassy in Abuja for what he describes as disrespectful and biased treatment of visa applicants. In a detailed letter, Enekwechi accused consular officers of dismissing applications without reviewing documents and rejecting Nigerians without clear explanations.
Enekwechi claimed that nearly 90% of applicants leave the embassy daily without visas, calling the process “undiplomatic” and “insulting to Nigeria’s sovereignty.”
He highlighted the case of a Nigerian who voluntarily returned after overstaying a US visa decades ago but was denied a fresh application despite proving financial stability and strong local ties.
“This isn’t just about individual rejection,” Enekwechi stated. “It’s about how the US views Nigerians, as desperate, rather than legitimate travelers.”
He urged US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Ambassador Richard M. Mills Jr. to reform the visa system, emphasizing that respect and transparency are crucial to maintaining trust between the two nations.
Enekwechi’s concerns resonate with many Nigerians who see the US visa process as expensive, draining, and unfair, further straining bilateral relations between the countries.
