The National Assembly has summoned the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stuart Symington, over the alleged high rate of visa denial of Nigerians.

The invitation was said to be at the instance of an activist, Kayode Bello, who petitioned the House over the matter.

The PUNCH had done an investigation into how many Nigerian students seeking to study in US schools were denied visas despite spending a lot of money on different fees.

Some of the fees, our correspondent learnt, were application fees, evaluation fees, courier fees, service fees, visa fees, school fees.

The fees were said to be non-refundable.

While some of the students claimed that they were denied visas because they were not married, others said they were denied because only one of their parents was their sponsor.

A parent claimed that his daughter’s interview was cut short because she asked the interviewer to speak up.

Our correspondent was further told that the embassy usually issued preprinted blue papers to those it rejected without giving a specific reason for the decision.

More than three weeks after enquiries were sent to the embassy, no response had been got by The PUNCH.

A former ambassador to the US, John Campbell had, however, told our correspondent that visas were given by consular officers on a case by case basis, adding that the refusal of many people to return home after finishing their programmes made the process difficult.

The activist, Bello, petitioned the National Assembly through a member representing the Ede and Ejigbo Federal Constituency, Prof. Mojeed Alabi, after suffering a similar fate of denial.

The summon, titled, ‘Indiscriminate denial of United States of America visa and illegal increment of exchange rate of visa fee by the American embassy’ was signed by the House Committee Chairman on Public Petitions, Uzo Azubuike.

The two-page document, dated November 27, 2018, and a copy of which was received by our correspondent, said the hearing would hold on Tuesday, December 4 at 2pm at the House of Representatives Room 429.

The House asked the ambassador to present 20 copies of his defence.

The Clerk of the House, Mr Omale Adoyi, confirmed the development to our correspondent on Monday.

He, however, said the US embassy rejected the summon.

“But we will go on with the hearing and may have to adjourn if they fail to show up,” he added.

https://punchng.com/breaking-visa-denial-national-assembly-summons-us-ambassador/

Summon the minister responsible first!

I just took this space to mock buhariguy

likewise just to show buhariguy my supreme dominance over him..

I thought is thief atiku case they are talking about

Probably because of Atiku

We don cast jare... 95% of those seeking visa to d US are running away from d country with no intention of coming back.. Imagine one of my Uncle of over 60 and his wife abandoned their kids here and ran to d US in d name of visiting their daughter. Dem no gree return...
Even me wey go try my luck earlier in d year no plan to come back. As d interviewer asked why I was going to d US, I could swear he heard me say "I wan run comot for dis country" in my mind.. Dem bounce me with their useless blue rejection letter. I almost dey there ask for my money back ooo

Nigerians need to learn that America is not a Nigetian state and so owes Nigeria no explanation .. How can the dream of every Nigerian be to be an American Citizen ? What kind of nonsense is that

The former ambassador said that they are denied because many that were granted visas never returned back after completing their program..Why will anyone return back to Nigeria after staying in the USA and seeing how sane people behave?

So the NA are just waking up now bah?

UK, Canada Visas are even worst than Usa these days

Summon dem becos it's by force to grant ppl visa or summon dem becos those going there are actually coming back? Summon PMB and ask him why Nigerians are fleeing d country instead.. Even d President himself flees d country at every given opportunity..

If I were US embassy I will specifically not give visa to any buhari supporter, wonder why they plan running away after lying to themselves Nigeria is working under lifeless.

Yet some people say "Vote Buhari"..... do happy people seek visa's without return?

Nigeria we hail thee... the US is a sovereign nation and has the right to deny whoever does not satisfactory meet their stipulated requirements.
National Assembly should face other pressing issues

Applicants should try another country.

We all know their aim is to go and won't return

Trump has shown his displeasure about African nations most especially Nigeria, he even made this crystal clear by describing Buhari as being "lifeless".

FarahAideed:
Nigerians need to learn that America is not a Nigetian state and so owes Nigeria no explanation .. How can the dream of every Nigerian be to be an American Citizen ? What kind of nonsense is that

Why won't they dream of heing American citizens, when the government we have here is making life difficult for Nigerians.

You all want to go to a country that they see your president as lifeless. Goodness me, how do they look at you the follow? Not surprised visas are denied.

Just cause...of hopeless education system here in nigeria..what is the use of an education that does not make a man either practical or productive?let me put it in these terms...the university professor of mechanical engineering could not service his own motor...his electrical counterpart could not repair his own radio..

The rate of denial is high without concrete reason. Those with geniue reason are denied too

We yoruba buharideens must continue to be denied visa, where are we running to? Why are we trying to run away from our bubuhari's chainji?

Does Saraki want to intimidate the US ambassador to validate atikulooter?

biko make them resolve this issue before i apply o...i pray luck goes with me

rs172:







Why won't they dream of heing American citizens, when the government we have here is making life difficult for Nigerians.

Nigerians are the ones that have made life in Nigeria hell!!!!

They are the ones that dump garbage in the middle of the road .

They are the ones that vote based on tribe and religion

They are one that have taken dishonesty as a religion

They are the one that chose self centeredness over collectivism

The problem is actually with Nigerians themselves and that's why any street in UK or Italy that has high Nigerian population looks like somewhere in Lagos... Oga we are the problem...

Some people are the cause of their downfall, I have seen many Nigerians feel inferior for no good reason when talking with some one from America or some one with a white skin.
Fear and inferiority complex from my experience has caused and is still causing most visa denials.
Be bold, have confidence and know who you are, they will be forced to either give it to you or tell you where you went wrong so that you can reapply then get it right next time.

NANS, THE MESSAGE IS SPEND MORE IN EDUCATION. UPGRADE

I Thought Rejecting A Court Order Was Illegal Talk More Of Your Host Country's, Well This Is Nigeria!!!




Wait O!



Make I Go Apply Shaperly