Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has terminated its contract with Online Integrated Solution (OIS Services), the private firm that had been managing visa application and submission centres for Nigerian diplomatic missions across the United States. In a public notice issued on Thursday, July 9, 2026, the NIS directed all prospective travellers and Nigerians residing in the US who require a visa to enter Nigeria to submit their applications directly to the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, D.C., or to the Consulates in New York and Atlanta, with immediate effect.
The disengagement of OIS Services, which had operated as the outsourced visa application centre for Nigerian missions across several US cities, including Washington, D.C., Houston, Atlanta, Los Angeles and New Jersey, handling biometric capturing and document submission on behalf of applicants, marks a significant shift in Nigeria's visa processing architecture in the United States. The public notice, signed by DCI Akinsola Akinlabi, the Service Public Relations Officer, did not provide specific reasons for the termination of the contract.
The NIS assured applicants that the Nigerian Embassy and its Consulates in New York and Atlanta have put adequate measures in place to ensure the seamless submission, processing, and issuance of visas despite the transition. Applicants have also been advised to monitor official communication channels of the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigerian Mission in the United States for further updates on visa application procedures.
The move comes amid growing scrutiny of outsourced visa processing services globally, with some governments opting to bring visa services back in-house to improve efficiency, reduce costs, or address concerns over data security and service quality. OIS Services had previously faced criticism from applicants over issues such as communication difficulties and high processing fees. In 2024, Nigerians had protested exorbitant US visa processing fees, with taxes from OIS Services contributing significantly to the overall cost.
The Nigerian government has not disclosed whether the disengagement is temporary or permanent, nor has it announced plans to engage a new service provider. Until further notice, all applicants must liaise directly with the diplomatic missions in Washington, New York, and Atlanta. The NIS has reaffirmed its commitment to efficient service delivery and thanked applicants for their understanding and cooperation during the transition.
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