Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, a former governorship candidate in Ogun State under the New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP, has accused the United States Embassy in Nigeria of running a visa application system he described as fraudulent, exploitative, and lacking transparency.
Ajadi, who addressed journalists in Abuja on Monday following the denial of his visa application, criticized the U.S. visa process for unjustly collecting full application fees from Nigerians without offering adequate explanation or an avenue for appeal.
“The American Embassy collects full visa application fees from Nigerians without providing any opportunity for appeal,” Ajadi said.
“The embassy merely issues a piece of paper to deny 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 further criticized the standard refusal letters as being vague and unhelpful.
“My name is unique, like every applicant’s is. Each person deserves a letter with specific reasons for denial. This is not transparency. It’s institutional deception. Nigerians deserve better.”
U.S. immigration law under Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act states that visa applicants must demonstrate sufficient ties to their home country to ensure their return after visiting the United States. This section is among the most common reasons for visa denials and does not allow for an appeal. Applicants wishing to reapply must do so afresh and pay the full fee again.
“I am asking the consular officer to provide evidence that I do not meet the requirements stated under Section 214(b). The questions I was asked during the interview did not even align with the law they claim to apply,” he said.
Ajadi clarified that his travel plans were legitimate and business-related. He noted that he had scheduled meetings and intended to invest in U.S. real estate through his firm, Bullion Go-Neat Global Limited, which operates in sectors including entertainment, hospitality, sports promotion, and manufacturing.
“I did not apply for a visa as a joke. I have business commitments and legitimate reasons for travel,” he added.
He expressed concern over the financial burden placed on Nigerians who pay hundreds of dollars in non-refundable fees, only to receive vague denial notices.
“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,” Ajadi stated.
He also raised alarm over the difficulty of securing U.S. visa appointments in Nigeria, claiming that many applicants now rely on 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.”
Ajadi appealed to U.S. President Donald Trump, whom he openly supports, to lead reforms aimed at protecting visa applicants from financial exploitation.
“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 N50000,” he proposed.
He also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in what he described as the dubious practices of foreign embassies operating in Nigeria.
“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.
Ajadi urged civil society groups and non-governmental organizations to demand reforms across all foreign missions in Nigeria.
“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.”
As of the time of filing this report, the U.S. Embassy in Abuja has not issued any public response to Ajadi’s allegations.
