Nigerians who have had difficulties in procuring United States Visa, may now heave a sigh if relief, as the U.S. Consul-General, Mr Jeffery Hawkins, on Wednesday said that the American government was determined to make visa application process easier for Nigerians.
Hawkins said this in a paper he presented at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos, on “U.S and Nigeria Bilateral Relationship“.
He said the move was part of the government’s effort at promoting “people-to-people“ relationship between Nigeria and the U.S.
He said the consulate had recruited additional staff and installed new equipment in order to facilitate visa processing for Nigerians.
“My goal is to make visa application process painless and pleasant for Nigerians.
“I am happy to say that the wait time for Non-Immigrant Visa appointment is now just a fraction of what it once was.
“We can always improve more; but I am proud of the work we have done to serve our Nigeria visa applicants, “ he said.
The envoy also restated the commitment of the U.S. to creating opportunities for young Nigerians to visit the U.S.
Hawkins said that the government had concluded an arrangement to invite “very special set of Nigerian guests“ to the U.S. in 2014.
The Consul-General said that the U.S. Government would continue to sustain its bilateral relations with Nigeria in the years ahead.
Hawkins said that a U.S. delegation, led by Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Amb. Wendy Sherma, would be in Abuja on August 15, for the U.S. and Nigeria Binational Commission.
He said the visit would afford the delegation, Nigeria government representatives and the civil society, to deliberate on security issues, as well as other critical aspects of U.S and Nigeria’s bilateral relations.