|
Listen to article
|
The U.S. Department of State has pinpointed a partial technological breakdown as the root of recent hurdles encountered by Nigerians seeking American visas, a disruption that has rippled through the consular framework with notable effect.
Jennifer Johnson, press officer within the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ Office of Public and Congressional Relations informed the press about the development.
Insights gathered by The Eastern Updates revealed a swell of frustration among Nigerian applicants, who voiced dismay over the U.S. Embassy’s inability to conduct scheduled interviews—a critical juncture in the visa procurement process—casting a shadow over their transatlantic aspirations.
In a measured response, a State Department spokesperson acknowledged the operational hiccups on Saturday, March 8, 2025, affirming that consular functions have since regained their footing, a restoration aimed at quelling the unease. Johnson offered further reassurance, pledging that those affected by the glitch would see their interview slots realigned, a commitment to mend the fractured process with deliberate haste.
Johnson stated: “The U.S. Department of State experienced a partial systems outage which has since been restored.
“All consular operations have resumed as normal.
Read also: Britain To Expel Russian Diplomat In Retaliatory Move
“Visa applicants, whose interviews must be rescheduled due to the outage, will be notified.”
It would be recalled that the US mission in Nigeria had last year launched a transition to a new visa appointment system.
The goal, according to the US Mission in Nigeria, was to make the process of obtaining visa appointments at its embassy in Abuja and its consulate in Lagos easier for applicants and more transparent for the US visa applicants in Nigeria.
During the implementation of the new system, Nigerians applying for visas had also faced challenges, with the US government then assuring of improved visa processing after the transition period.
