The House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs has summoned the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, to appear before it over several pressing diplomatic and administrative concerns—including the recent changes to the United States’ visa policy for Nigerians and alleged irregularities in foreign service postings.
In a letter dated July 11 and signed by Committee Chairman Hon. Wole Oke, the minister was invited to address lawmakers on Tuesday, July 16, and is expected to submit a detailed briefing note by July 15.
The committee is seeking clarification on the implementation of the new U.S. visa regime, which took effect on July 8, 2025. Under the revised policy, the validity of most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas—including those for tourism, business, and education—has been reduced to three months and limited to a single entry.
While the U.S. State Department attributed the change to a broader global effort to enhance border security and reduce visa overstays, Nigerian lawmakers expressed concern over the abrupt nature of the decision and its impact on Nigerian travelers. The committee also condemned the spread of misinformation suggesting that the policy was retaliatory, following false claims that Nigeria had withdrawn five-year visa privileges for U.S. citizens—claims which have been officially debunked.
Beyond the visa issue, the lawmakers are also probing alleged irregularities in foreign service appointments, particularly the posting of directors who are close to retirement. The committee said such actions may contravene established civil service rules and raised questions about succession planning and due process.
Further, the committee is demanding updates on the management and optimisation of Ministry of Finance assets in Nigerian foreign missions. This includes ongoing digitisation initiatives, the integration of consular services with platforms operated by agencies such as the Nigeria Immigration Service, and concerns surrounding the documentation and disbursement of operational funds to missions abroad.
Minister Tuggar is expected to provide comprehensive responses on all these issues during his scheduled appearance.
