The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Richard Mills, has issued a stern warning to Nigerian students studying in the US, stating that those who skip classes without informing school authorities risk having their visas revoked.
Mills delivered this caution during his visit to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, on Friday in Abuja, emphasizing the importance of adhering to visa terms and conditions.
"Student visa holders should know that they need to remain in the programme that underlines their visas; if you skip classes or leave your programme of study without informing the school, the student visa could be revoked," Mills stressed.
The ambassador highlighted several critical responsibilities for Nigerian students and other visa applicants. He advised against overstaying the permitted duration, warning that such violations could result in deportation and a lifetime ban on future travel to the United States.
"It is also important to understand that when you come to the Visa Window to apply for a visa, you have to be as accurate as possible about the reason for your travel, how you will fund your travel in the US, and what requirements in your life will make you come back to Nigeria," Mills explained.
He clarified that a visa is not merely "a piece of paper that guarantees your admittance into the US" but depends on the applicant's understanding of travel funding and their ties to Nigeria that would ensure their return.
The ambassador emphasized that the US aims to maintain travel between both countries in a safe and secure manner, while ensuring that those who break laws face appropriate consequences.
In response, Minister Idris acknowledged the strong partnership between Nigeria and the United States, noting that it supports President Bola Tinubu's renewed hope agenda in numerous ways.
"At the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, we will continue to engage with all our partners including the US to help foster better understanding, like the new visa laws. We will also continue to engage with our other international partners, so that they can understand what the Nigerian Government is doing to inform Nigerians for better understanding," Idris stated.
The minister assured that Nigeria would maintain close collaboration with the US for the mutual benefit of both nations.
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