The House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs has summoned Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, to address a range of critical diplomatic issues, including the recent shift in United States visa policy affecting Nigerian citizens and allegations of irregularities in foreign service appointments.

In a letter dated July 11 and signed by the committee chairman, Hon. Wole Oke, the minister was asked to appear before the committee on July 16 and submit a detailed briefing document by July 15. The lawmakers are seeking clarity on the implementation and implications of the revised US visa policy, which took effect on July 8, 2025. Under the new rules, most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas — including those for tourism, business, and education — are now limited to a single entry and a validity of just three months.

The committee expressed concern over the abrupt nature of the change and its potential impact on Nigerians, both domestically and in the diaspora. While the US State Department described the decision as part of a broader effort to strengthen border controls and reduce visa overstays, confusion has grown over alleged reciprocal actions by Nigeria. The committee dismissed as false the widespread claim that Nigeria’s supposed discontinuation of five-year visas for US citizens triggered the policy shift.

Beyond the visa issue, Minister Tuggar has also been asked to respond to accusations of improper foreign mission appointments. Lawmakers are seeking justification for the posting of senior officials who are just months away from retirement, which they argue may contravene civil service regulations.

Additionally, the committee is calling for a status update on the Ministry’s management of foreign mission assets. Areas of interest include ongoing digitisation initiatives, the integration of consular platforms with agencies such as the Nigerian Immigration Service, and transparency in the allocation and use of funds at embassies and consulates worldwide.

The committee emphasized the importance of the minister’s appearance in shedding light on these matters, which they described as vital to safeguarding Nigeria’s international image and ensuring accountability in foreign affairs.