The Federal Government of Nigeria has terminated its contract with Online Integrated Solution (OIS Services), the company that managed Nigerian visa application centres in the United States. Effective immediately, all US-based Nigerian visa applicants must now submit their applications directly at Nigerian diplomatic missions.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced the disengagement on Thursday, July 9, 2026. NIS Public Relations Officer Akinsola Akinlabi confirmed the development in an official statement, stating that the change takes immediate effect and remains in place until further notice.
New Visa Submission Process for US Applicants
Nigerian visa applicants in the United States are now required to submit their applications in person at one of three diplomatic locations: the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, DC, or the Nigerian consulates in New York and Atlanta. The statement reads in part: "Travellers seeking Nigerian visas are now required to submit their applications directly at the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, DC, or at the Consulates of Nigeria in New York and Atlanta until further notice."
The NIS did not provide a reason for terminating OIS Services' contract. It also did not indicate whether the disengagement is permanent or whether a replacement service provider will be appointed later.
NIS Assures Applicants of Smooth Transition
Despite the abrupt change, the immigration service said the Nigerian embassy and consulates in the US have put in place the necessary structures to handle the increased volume of direct applications without disruption to processing timelines or visa issuance. Akinlabi urged applicants to monitor official NIS communication channels and the Nigerian mission's platforms in the US for further updates on procedures. He added that the immigration service remains committed to delivering efficient and effective services to all visa applicants.
Background and Context
This policy shift comes amid broader discussions about visa policies between Nigeria and the US. Legit.ng earlier reported that claims alleging President Bola Tinubu is deporting 700 US citizens living in Nigeria and banning US-made phones were false. The claim originated from a screenshot of an X user, posted on January 25, 2025, which has since been deleted but continues to circulate on social media.
