• Donald Trump

The United States Department of State has announced updates to its reciprocal non-immigrant visa policy, impacting several countries, including Nigeria.

In a statement on Tuesday, United States Embassy, Abuja, said that effective immediately, most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to citizens of Nigeria will be single-entry visas with a three-month validity period.

Said the statement: ” Those U.S. non-immigrant visas issued prior to July 8, 2025, will retain their status and validity.

We wish to underscore, that as is standard globally, visa reciprocity is a continuous process and is subject to review and change at any time, such as increasing or decreasing permitted entries and duration of validity.

You can view the latest information on visa reciprocity schedules for all countries at travel.state.gov.U.S.

Visa criteria and standards are designed to protect the integrity of U.S. immigration systems.

These standards are based on global technical and security benchmarks.

The U.S. Mission is working with the Government of Nigeria to ensure that Nigeria can meet the criteria.

Examples of standard criteria include:Secure

Travel Documents: Ensuring countries issue secure travel documents with verified traveler identities.

Visa Overstay Management: Implementing measures to limit overstays by travelers on U.S. visas.Information Sharing:

Sharing relevant security and/or criminal record information to protect public safety.

The United States values its longstanding relationship with Nigeria and remains committed to expanding our partnership based on mutual respect, shared security priorities, and economic opportunity, keeping both our countries safer and stronger.

We commend the ongoing efforts by the Government of Nigeria’s immigration and security agencies to meet standards of international best practices.

We continue to engage with Nigerian government officials to address the remaining challenges.

Nigerian travelers are encouraged to respect and adhere to the terms of their visas, and ensure travel documents are authentic, accurate, and up to date.

The United States remains a committed partner in deepening people-to-people ties with Nigeria via business, educational, and cultural exchanges.

We look forward to continued cooperation at all levels with the Nigerian public and government officials to ensure safe and lawful travel between the United States and all countries.”

The Federal Government has mandated 16 as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said this on Tuesday when he declared open the ongoing Policy Meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, in Abuja.

Alausa declared that the official age of 16 set by the government is not negotiable.

He warned that the heads of institutions found to be engaged in admission fraud would face prosecution.Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa warned that any admissions outside JAMB’s CAPS platform are illegal. Institutions involved in admission fraud will face prosecution, as the government moves to enforce transparency and integrity in the process.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has directed its members nationwide to begin an indefinite strike over the federal government’s delay in paying June 2025 salaries.

According to reports, this decision, which enforces the union’s “No Pay, No Work” policy, has already taken effect in several universities.

Branches of ASUU at the University of Jos and University of Abuja have withdrawn their services, with members suspending academic duties and meetings.

The strike is in line with a National Executive Council (NEC) resolution that mandates withdrawal of service if salaries are not paid within three days of a new month.

ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, confirmed that the directive was necessary due to persistent salary delays and hardship faced by members.

He noted that the switch from the Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System (IPPIS) to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) has worsened the situation, leaving lecturers unpaid for days after the month ends.

He explained that despite meetings with key government officials including the Minister of Education and the Accountant General, no solution has been provided.

According to Piwuna, the delay is not due to any technical problem with the payment platform but appears to be a deliberate move by some officials.

The union is also calling on the federal government to immediately release the outstanding N10 billion balance from the N50 billion meant for Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), warning that further delay may spark another phase of industrial action.

At the University of Jos, the branch chairman, Jurbe Molwus, confirmed that the congress backed the NEC resolution, leading to a halt in lectures and other statutory duties.

A strike monitoring team has been activated to ensure compliance.At the University of Abuja, members have also stopped work in protest.

ASUU declared the only way to end the ongoing disruption is for the government to stop delaying salaries and fulfil its obligations to university staff.