(Ecofin Agency) - There are concerns that Nigerians might be at risk of losing American entry visas which have two-year validity, except the government make changes to its existing immigration policy with the United States.

This is coming after U.S’ President, Donald Trump (photo), issued an executive order limiting immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries.

Nigeria currently issues a multiple-entry visa that allows Americans to come and go for one year, which is a non-reciprocity of the two-year visa US grants to Nigerians. As the executive order takes effect, Nigerians with a valid two-year US visa may also be affected.

Also, Nigeria charges higher rates than the American government even with the shorter visa validity. U.S charges Nigerians $160 for a visa while Nigeria charges $180, along with a $35 processing fee.

While the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, sees the issue as “not a presidency matter”, a Research Professor and Head, Division of International Politics, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Osita Agbu, sees the executive order as catastrophic.

“The situation is impacting on the world to the extent that most allies of the United States are getting worried. The executive order on immigration is catastrophic. The Trump presidency is forgetting that there is reciprocity in international relations which means that citizens are being treated the way their country treats others. The order violates the US constitution and is against the spirit of their constitution because America is a country of immigrants. American citizens are all over the world and this law makes them insecure instead of secure,” he told Vanguard news.

Anita Fatunji