By Our correspondent
ABUJA, NIGERIA — August 5, 2025:
Ambassador Comrade Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, a prominent Nigerian youth leader, freedom fighter, advocate for good governance, 2023 presidential aspirant, and 2023 Ogun State gubernatorial candidate, has accused the United States Embassy in Nigeria of exploiting visa applicants through a process he described as ‘fraudulent, exploitative, and non-transparent.’
A vocal advocate for social justice and youth empowerment, Ajadi is also a philanthropist and a staunch promoter of entrepreneurial development among Nigerian youths.
Ajadi, who was denied a visa at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja on Monday, told journalists that the current application system unjustly collects full visa fees from Nigerians without offering applicants a fair process or explanation for denials.
The American Embassy collects full visa application fees from Nigerians without providing any opportunity for appeal,” he said. “The embassy merely issues a piece of paper to denied applicants — a document many people do not understand. We are not lawyers, so a refusal letter filled with legal jargon is not sufficient to explain the reason for the denial. The specific reason for the refusal should be clearly stated, rather than issuing a generic document to all rejected applicants. There should also be an avenue for immediate appeal, as both America and Nigeria are democratic nations, not dictatorships.”
Ajadi noted that many applicants receive denial letters filled with vague legal jargon and called for greater transparency in how visa decisions are communicated.
“My name is unique, like every applicant’s is. Each person deserves a letter with specific reasons for denial,” he said. “This is not transparency. It’s institutional deception. Nigerians deserve better.”
Applicants denied under Section 214(b) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act are considered to have failed to demonstrate strong ties—such as employment, education, or family—that would compel them to return home after visiting the United States. The refusal letter, which cannot be appealed, informs applicants that they may reapply with new evidence and must pay the full visa fee again.
“I am asking the consular officer to provide evidence that I do not meet the requirements stated under Section 214(b),” Ajadi challenged. “The questions I was asked during the interview did not even align with the law they claim to apply.”
Ajadi emphasised that his visa application was for a legitimate business purpose, including scheduled meetings and plans to purchase property in the U.S. through his real estate company, part of Bullion Go-Neat Global Limited, which also owns subsidiaries in entertainment, sports promotion, hotel management, and manufacturing.
“I did not apply for a visa as a joke. I have business commitments and legitimate reasons for travel,” he said.
He further expressed frustration with the opaque nature of the process, saying many Nigerians spend the equivalent of hundreds of U.S. dollars per person, only to be denied without specific justification.
“When the United Kingdom denies you a visa, it gives you a clear reason. But the American Embassy gives a generic letter and keeps your money,” he said.
Ajadi also criticised the lack of direct access to appointment booking, which he said forces many Nigerians to go through third-party agents who charge excessive fees.
“Ordinary Nigerians can’t book appointments directly anymore. They have to pay agents who charge extra. It’s become a gambling game. The system is broken.”
Calling for reform, Ajadi urged the U.S. President, Donald Trump, whom he openly admires—to push for policy changes that protect applicants.
“With due respect, sir, President Trump, I’m one of your strong supporters. Please champion a law that mandates all U.S. embassies not to collect full visa fees until a visa is approved. They should only charge a minimal administrative fee, say ₦50,000,” he proposed.
He also urged Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address what he called “dubious practices” by foreign embassies operating in the country.
“Mr. President, we need a new policy. Only successful applicants should pay the full visa fee. The rest should only pay a minimal processing charge. It’s unfair to make Nigerians spend as much as one million naira on a visa that was never going to be granted,” he said.
He also called on civil society organisations and non-governmental groups to pressure foreign missions into adopting fairer practices.
“As the President of All Youths Reoriented Initiative of Nigeria (AYRION), and a non-governmental organisation, I’m calling on NGOs to rise and demand fairness. If America, as the world’s leading democracy, can fix this, other embassies will follow.”
Visa fees for U.S. nonimmigrant categories in Nigeria currently range from $185 to $265. Under U.S. immigration law, consular officers retain broad discretionary power to approve or deny applications—often without providing detailed reasoning. This has contributed to long-standing frustration among applicants, particularly in developing countries.
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As of press time, the U.S. Embassy in Abuja has not issued an official response to Ambassador Ajadi’s allegations.
