After publishing on its
website, it appears that the American consulate has been creaming off each visa application for every Nigerian travelling to the states, according to
Guardian Nigeria.
It should be recollected that the Federal government had pegged the exchange rate at ₦305.25 to a dollar, yet the American Consulate in Nigeria exchanged
₦400 to a dollar in visa application fees for one fiscal year, until 27
th March, 2018.
“At the exchange rate of ₦400 to a dollar, a Nigerian applying for the non-immigrant U.S. visa at $160 fee was made to pay ₦64, 000 instead of ₦48, 840. The ₦400-to-a dollar exchange rate allowed the U.S. Consulate to cream off excess gain of ₦15, 200 per applicant”
This action was justified as reported in the Guardian, in a mail sent to Darcy Fyock Zotter, the Public Affairs Officer U.S. Consulate, Lagos, who said:
“We note that there are multiple exchange rates listed for Nigeria. The U.S. Mission Nigeria uses a market-based exchange rate for the payment of U.S. visa fees.”
The exchange rate has been reduced to ₦360 per dollar.
Accountability
Truly the clear exhortation shows that the grass may not be greener at the other side and perhaps Nigerians inability to hold their leaders accountable by asking the right questions and by extension, the American Consulate.
Culled from the
The Guardian.
Feature image photo credit: dailykobo.com
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This article was first published on 1st April 2018
adepeju
Adepeju Adenuga is a writer (considering where you are reading this, makes perfect sense). She holds a Masters Degree in Literature in English from the University of Lagos.
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