The United States has shown a commitment to review the immigrant visa ban placed on Nigerians earlier in the year as a result of the country's failure to comply with its established identity-management and information-sharing criteria. Speaking after the inaugural US/Nigeria Consular Forum meeting in Abuja yesterday, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mustapha Suleiman, mentioned that the US was satisfied with the government's rate of meeting its demands, particularly in the area of information sharing. Suleiman said Nigeria has satisfied almost 90 percent of the requirements set by the US government, adding that the forum will serve as a platform where both countries can progress on bilateral relations and address issues for the benefits of citizens.
“We have accomplished so much within a very difficult year, but essentially we want to acknowledge the recognition, and put on record Nigeria’s response to the concerns by the United States government in respect of the immigrant visa restriction that was imposed on Nigerians,” he said.
“I want to say that we appreciate the acknowledgment and the commendations from the United States government with respect to this response.
“From the assessment of the recipient of our response, I think we have accomplished almost 90 percent of the requirements that have been set in that regard.
“And I am sure that if you follow the information that has been passed on the level of compliance, for instance, sharing of information, we have done so much in that regard.
“That is why I believe the US government is having the comfort to even reevaluate. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have been candidates for reevaluation. If we have to rate ourselves, from what has been done so far, we should be about 90 percent compliant.
“The consular forum was agreed on earlier in the year during the Bi-National Commission of the United States and Nigeria which was held in Washington and that agreement is what is coming to push now.
“We have just had the maiden consular forum meeting today and I want to put it on record that it has been a very successful meeting with various issues that were discussed.”
The US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, while making her remarks during the forum commended Nigeria on the progress made in information sharing and other concerns raised which resulted in the ban.
She added that the presidential proclamation enjoins the US Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State to prepare a report addressing the measures that have been taken, which will then be submitted to the White House for re-evaluation.
