● Abubakar Ojima-Ojo
… Raises concerns over fate of Drop Box Visa system
Abuja – The Federal Government of Nigeria has called on the United States to adhere to established international protocols in the repatriation of immigrants.
It also expressed concerns over the potential suspension of the Drop Box Visa System, a policy that has facilitated seamless visa renewals for eligible Nigerians.
According to Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication & New Media to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the minister made these remarks when the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr., paid her a courtesy visit at the Tafawa Balewa House, Abuja.
Amb. Odumegwu-Ojukwu decried the emotional and financial strain experienced by many Nigerians in the US following the new administration’s plan to repatriate certain categories of immigrants.
“The impact of deportation is far-reaching, even to the hinterlands of Nigeria, where several families, including children, depend on remittances from the US for their survival and education,” she said.
She urged the US government to ensure that repatriated Nigerians were treated with dignity, given sufficient time to manage their affairs, and allowed to retrieve their assets before leaving.
“With the new administration in the US, we want a situation where there will be commitments. If there will be repatriation, we want dignified return.
“At the moment, we’re told that about 201 Nigerian nationals are in US immigration camps, and about 85 have been cleared for deportation.
“Will there be any way of ameliorating their pains? This has been of great concern not just to Nigerian nationals in the US but also to their families back home who depend on them for survival.
“We are asking as a country whether they will be given ample time to handle their assets or if they will just be bundled into planes and repatriated. It will really be traumatic, especially for those who have not committed any violent crime,” she stated.
The minister also appealed to the US government to reconsider any planned suspension of the Drop Box Visa Policy, emphasizing its importance for frequent travelers who visit the US for genuine reasons.
She called on the US to issue a clear statement on the policy to address rising concerns among Nigerians.
A prominent expert in international relations, Dr. Paul Nwosu, commented on the development, stating, “Deportation policies should be executed in line with international best practices. The dignity of migrants must be respected, especially when no violent crime has been committed.”
From Right: Ms Sophia M. Skupien, Political Officer, US Embassy, Abuja, Mr. Timothy Smith, Political Counsellor, US Embassy, H.E. Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Hon. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Richard Mills, US Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Innocent A. Iwejuo, Director, Office of the Hon. Minister of State, and Ambassador Gabriel O. Okoko, Director, Americ and Caribbean Division, during a courtesy call on the Hon. Minister of State by the US Ambassador recently.
Similarly, Professor Evelyn Atim, a specialist in global migration policy, noted, “Any abrupt suspension of the Drop Box Visa System will negatively affect thousands of law-abiding Nigerians who have built legitimate ties with the US. A transparent and fair immigration policy should be pursued.”
Amb. Odumegwu-Ojukwu further highlighted the concerns of about 14,000 Nigerian students in the US and their families in Nigeria, who are uncertain about possible changes in student visa policies under the new administration.
She also raised concerns about the future of USAID’s programs in Nigeria, stating, “We can’t say whether it’s an outright suspension, but a lot of NGOs are worried and need clarification. Even less than a month into the 90-day review, there are already humanitarian concerns. We appeal for this initiative to be preserved, even if USAID is restructured as an agency, so that poor beneficiaries in communities across Nigeria and Africa are not abandoned.”
The minister stressed the need for stronger bilateral ties between Nigeria and the US, calling for increased trade and investment, particularly in the mining sector.
She advocated for the reactivation of the ‘Silent Secretariat,’ a mechanism for assessing and improving Nigeria-US relations.
She also reaffirmed the foreign policy focus of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which emphasizes Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora (4-Ds). She noted that Nigeria remains committed to citizen diplomacy and tackling issues such as illegal migration and youth unemployment, which contribute to the Japa syndrome—a term used to describe mass emigration from Nigeria.
Speaking on regional matters, she emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to ECOWAS’s free movement policy despite recent political upheavals in the Sahel region.
“ECOWAS has been at its best. Even with the exit of some states, free movement within the region remains intact, and immigration has not shut the borders,” she stated.
In response, US Ambassador Mills assured that the bilateral relationship between the two nations remained strong.
He clarified that the Drop Box Visa Policy had not been suspended, explaining that policy renewals are common with changes in administration.
“The position of the new US government on USAID, the Drop Box Visa system, and other related matters will be made known in due course,” he stated.
He acknowledged USAID’s contributions, particularly in healthcare and humanitarian relief, but noted that reviews were ongoing.
“Some of these NGOs are feeling the pains, but the situation is being reviewed,” Mills added.
Addressing deportations, the ambassador confirmed that repatriated Nigerians would be sent to Lagos, ruling out alternative destinations such as Abuja or Port Harcourt.
“The first group will be convicted prisoners—those who have committed crimes and are currently in US prisons. Others are individuals who have clearly violated US immigration laws, appealed their cases, but were denied,” he explained.
On trade, Mills referenced the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which is set to expire in September, noting that its renewal would depend on congressional action.
“I think this administration will focus more on trade and commerce. This relationship is strong, and we want it sustained,” he stated.
The ambassador also congratulated Amb. Odumegwu-Ojukwu on her recent appointment as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. GMTNewsng
