The House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, to appear before its Committee on Foreign Affairs over the new United States visa policy targeting Nigerians and other unresolved concerns linked to foreign missions.
In a letter dated July 11 and signed by the committee chairman, Wole Oke, the lawmakers asked Tuggar to explain the implications of the revised U.S. visa regime, among other matters.
The minister is expected to appear before the committee on July 16, with a detailed briefing note to be submitted no later than July 15.
The committee specifically wants Tuggar to address the recent U.S. decision to slash the validity of most non-immigrant, non-diplomatic visas for Nigerians—from the previous two years to just three months—effective July 8, 2025.
Under the new rules, the affected visas, which include tourist, business, and student categories, are now single-entry only, requiring fresh applications for each trip.
The U.S. State Department said the change is part of a broader effort to tighten border controls, curb visa overstays, and improve data sharing with foreign governments.
Although early reports suggested that Nigeria had stopped issuing five-year visas to Americans—prompting the U.S. action—those claims were later debunked.
Beyond the visa issue, the committee is also asking Tuggar to clarify allegations of irregular postings in the foreign service.
The Lawmakers want explanations on the reported deployment of directors with just three to six months left before retirement, which some say violates civil service procedure.
Other issues raised include how the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is managing Nigerian government properties abroad, the digitisation of consular services, and how those platforms align with other agencies like the Nigerian Immigration Service.
Lawmakers are also demanding documentation on how funds are disbursed to missions and whether supporting records are being properly kept.