The Nigeria Immigration Service has ended its partnership with OIS Services, the firm that processed visa applications for Nigerians in the United States. The decision, announced on Thursday, July 9, 2026, by DCI Akinsola Akinlabi, the Service's Public Relations Officer, takes immediate effect. OIS Services previously operated Visa Application and Submission Centres across the U.S., acting as an intermediary where applicants submitted documents and fees before the Nigerian Embassy or Consulate issued the visa. With the termination of the contract, applicants must now submit their documents directly at the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, D.C., or at Consulates in New York and Atlanta. The NIS did not provide a reason for ending the arrangement, nor did it indicate whether a new service provider will be appointed. The move affects over 400,000 Nigerians living in the U.S. and foreign nationals seeking to enter Nigeria. Many of these individuals previously relied on OIS centres to avoid long trips to diplomatic missions, particularly those living far from the three cities where consular services are available. The NIS stated that the Embassy and Consulates have implemented measures to ensure smooth visa processing, though no details were given about staffing, appointment systems, or processing times. Applicants are advised to follow official communication channels for updates on procedures. Those with ongoing applications through OIS are instructed to contact the nearest Nigerian diplomatic mission for guidance. The termination reflects a broader trend among African governments reevaluating contracts with visa outsourcing firms due to disputes or performance issues. However, the immediate impact for applicants is the loss of a centralized, accessible submission system.
The sudden removal of a widely used visa intermediary creates immediate logistical hurdles for applicants far from diplomatic posts. The lack of explanation from the NIS leaves applicants guessing about the stability of future application processes. Relying solely on embassy and consulate offices may strain capacity, especially in cities like New York and Atlanta. The move appears more administrative than strategic, offering no clear benefit to the average applicant.
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