The United States has suspended visa processing for applicants from Nigeria, Russia and a dozen other countries as part of a sweeping review of its immigration screening system, according to an internal directive from the US Department of State.

The instruction, which takes effect from January 21, orders American embassies and consulates to halt visa processing for nationals of at least 73 countries while authorities reassess vetting procedures.

The memo, first reported by Fox News, directs consular officers to rely on existing legal grounds to refuse applications during the review period.

The suspension applies to several visa categories and has no defined end date, as officials have not indicated when the reassessment will be concluded.

Countries affected by the measure cut across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Among them are Nigeria, Somalia, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Russia, Brazil and Thailand.

US officials link the move to stricter enforcement of the “public charge” provision in immigration law, which permits visa denial for applicants deemed likely to depend on government assistance.

In November 2025, the State Department instructed diplomatic missions worldwide to apply tighter standards when evaluating such risks.

Under the updated guidance, consular officers are required to weigh additional factors, including applicants’ age, health condition, English language ability, financial resources, employment prospects and possible need for long-term medical care.

Somalia has drawn heightened scrutiny following a federal investigation in Minnesota that uncovered extensive fraud involving publicly funded welfare programmes.

Prosecutors said many of those implicated were Somali nationals or individuals of Somali descent, prompting increased attention to visa cases associated with the country.

Although Nigeria was not specifically cited in the memo, its inclusion places it among nations facing tougher entry requirements. This comes at a time when large numbers of Nigerians seek US visas for education, employment, tourism and family reunification.

The State Department has not disclosed whether exemptions will be granted for humanitarian cases or how long the suspension will last, leaving prospective travellers, students and families in uncertainty.

Observers warn that the policy could disrupt mobility, delay educational and professional plans, and strain diplomatic relations between the United States and the affected countries.

The President of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Afam Osigwe, has said the Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Police Force must charge Port Harcourt-based pastor, Tombari Joseph Gbeneol, to court or release him, over an alleged plot to assassinate the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.

A leaked phone conversation allegedly exposed plans by the pastor and a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Tammy Danagogo, to bring Israelis to assassinate Wike.

The leaked phone conversation led to the arrest and detention of Gbeneol.

However, Osigwe noted that the continued detention of the Port Harcourt-based pastor was unconstitutional.

In a statement he signed, Osigwe said: “Reports emerging from Rivers State concerning the continued detention of a Port Harcourt-based pastor, Mr. Tombari Joseph Gbeneol, have raised serious constitutional and rule of law concerns that demand immediate attention.

“The circumstances surrounding his arrest, which are said to be linked to an alleged assassination plot of a public official and his reported detention for nearly two weeks without formal charge, strike at the core of fundamental liberties guaranteed under Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.

“While the Nigerian Bar Association recognises the grave responsibility of law enforcement agencies to prevent threats to national security and to protect public officials and citizens alike, we must emphasise that the pursuit of security objectives must at all times be conducted strictly within the bounds of the Constitution and the rule of law.

“National security considerations do not suspend constitutional guarantees, nor do they justify prolonged or indefinite detention without due process.

“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees the right to personal liberty and provides clear safeguards against arbitrary arrest and detention. Any person arrested on suspicion of having committed a criminal offence must be informed promptly of the allegation against him and brought before a court of competent jurisdiction within the time prescribed by law.

“Detention beyond constitutionally permitted limits, without charge or a valid remand order, is unlawful, regardless of the seriousness of the allegation.”

Osigwe said the NBA is particularly concerned by reports that Mr. Gbeneol has remained in custody for an extended period without being formally charged before a court, stressing that “Allegations, however grave, remain allegations until tested in open court.”

He added: “The presumption of innocence is a cornerstone of criminal justice and must not be eroded by investigative delay, media speculation, or executive discretion.

“We therefore call on the Nigeria Police Force to act strictly in accordance with the law by either charging Mr. Tombari Joseph Gbeneol before a competent court without further delay or releasing him immediately if investigations have not yielded sufficient basis for prosecution.

“Continued detention without judicial oversight is unacceptable and undermines public confidence in law enforcement institutions.

“The NBA further urges that any investigation into the alleged matter be conducted professionally and transparently, without resorting to unlawful detention or coercion. Where other persons are implicated, the same constitutional standards must apply.

“The criminal justice system must not be weaponized, nor should allegations of a political or security nature be used to justify shortcuts that erode fundamental rights.”

A chieftain of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Ganiyu Oyedepo, popularly known as Koko Zaria, has accused his former boss, Musiliu Akinsanya, better known as MC Oluomo, of sleeping with his wives and girlfriends.

The allegation was contained in a viral video circulating across social media.

Koko Zaria, who spoke in the Yoruba language, described his years with MC Oluoma as marked by hurt, betrayal, and silence, stressing that his trust was repeatedly abused.

He claimed he was constantly attacked online by critics who saw him as disloyal, not knowing the level of humiliation he allegedly endured behind closed doors.

Koko also accused MC Oluomo of stopping his progress, adding that he has more secrets about him.

Part of his words read, “My former boss, who is completely useless, engaged in relationships with all my girlfriends, including my housewives, and yet some individuals still expect me to treat him with respect.

“I’ve been the subject of numerous online attacks, with some people labelling me as disloyal and ungrateful, but I’ve opted to pray for them, wishing that they’ll experience the same pain my former boss inflicted on me during our time together.

“He took everything good from me and didn’t want me to make progress, but I chose to remain silent. I possess many secrets about my former boss that I’m keeping to myself for the time being.