The Federal Government has set up a committee headed by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, to review and update the requirements the United States government said were not in place, which caused it to place visit restriction on some Nigerian passport holders.

This was revealed in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), which noted that the restriction affects immigrants’ visa alone and does not apply to other U.S visas such as those for official, business, tourism and student travel.

The statement explained that the suspension of immigrant visas became necessary following a review and update of the methodology (performance metrics) adopted by the US government to assess compliance of certain security criteria by foreign governments.

It said the committee will work with the US government, INTERPOL and other stakeholders to ensure all updates are properly implemented.

The statement read: “On 31st January 2020, the United States (US) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced temporary travel restrictions on six (6) countries including Nigeria.

“For Nigeria, the restriction is the suspension of the issuance of ‘immigrant visas’ to Nigerian passport holders only. This suspension shall come into effect on 21st February 2020. The suspension does not apply to other US visas such as those for official, business, tourism and student travel.

“The DHS states the suspension of ‘immigrant visas’ became necessary following a review and update of the methodology (performance metrics) adopted by the U.S Government to assess compliance of certain security criteria by foreign governments.

“This resulted in certain enhancements on how information is shared between Nigeria and the U.S.

“Nigeria remains committed to maintaining productive relations with the United States and its international allies especially on matters of global security.

“Accordingly, President Muhammadu Buhari has established a committee, to be chaired by the Hon. Minister of Interior, to study and address the updated US requirements.

“The committee will work with the US government, INTERPOL and other stakeholders to ensure all updates are properly implemented.”

Credits: Nation