Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo has accused the United States Embassy in Nigeria of running a fraudulent visa application system in Nigeria.
The 2023 Ogun State governorship candidate made the allegation while speaking to journalists on Monday, after being denied a visa at the US Embassy in Abuja.
Ajadi voiced strong criticism of the current process, which he says unjustly collects full application fees from Nigerians without guaranteeing fair treatment or clear reasons for denial.
The chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP said: “The American Embassy collects full visa application fees from Nigerians without providing any opportunity for appeal.
“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 argued that most rejection letters are filled with vague legal language and fail to provide applicants with meaningful feedback, a practice he said undermines transparency and fairness.
“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.”
Under the US law, applicants refused visas under Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act are deemed not to have sufficiently demonstrated ties to their home country that would compel them to return after visiting the US, this section is among the most frequently cited for denials, and decisions made under it are not open to appeal. Applicants must reapply and pay the full visa fee again if they wish to try 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.”
Ajadi emphasized that his visa application was for a legitimate business purpose. He said he had scheduled meetings and plans to invest in US property through his real estate company, a subsidiary of Bullion Go-Neat Global Limited, which also operates in 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 said.
He further criticized the process as overly expensive and lacking accountability, pointing out that many Nigerians spend hundreds of dollars on non-refundable fees, only to be denied without proper 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 highlighted the growing difficulty in securing visa appointments, claiming that many Nigerians are now forced to go through third-party agents who charge exorbitant fees to access slots
“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 reforms, Ajadi appealed directly to US President Donald Trump, whom he openly supports to initiate policy changes that would protect visa applicants from what he described as economic exploitation.
“With due respect, sir, President Trump, I’m one of your strong supporters. Please champion a law that mandates all US embassies not to collect full visa fees until a visa is approved. They should only charge a minimal administrative fee, say N50,000,” he proposed.
Ajadi 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 called on civil society organisations and NGOs to take up the issue and push for reforms across 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.”
Currently, US non immigrant visa fees in Nigeria range between $185 and $265. Under US law, consular officers have wide discretion to approve or deny applications without providing detailed explanations, a policy that has drawn longstanding criticism in many developing countries.
As of the time of this report, the US Embassy in Abuja has not responded publicly to Ambassador Ajadi’s claims.
