A recent incident involving a Nigerian lady who was reportedly denied a U.S. visa after investing millions in the application and processing fees has ignited a social media storm.

The incident has seen Nigerians call for a refund policy for unsuccessful visa applicants, noting the huge amount of money usually invested only for the application to be rejected.

The lady, who had spent both significant financial resources and time preparing for her visa interview, expressed her disappointment in a series of statements following the denial.

“I feel sad. I could have used my money to buy a car. I’m depressed,” she shared, while noting her determination to try again: “I’ll go to that Yankee.”

Recounting her experience, she explained that over 80 other applicants were denied their visas in her presence.

Of the roughly 300 people who attended the interview session, she estimated that only five would likely receive approval.

The story resonated with many Nigerians on social media, who shared their own experiences of visa rejection and supported the call for a refund or compensation system.

One user, @81_flacos, commented, “Even if they won’t refund, at least a compensation of any kind would go a long way. Cos you know how much you’ll spend? At the end, you get denied, and then it feels like a wasted investment.”

Similarly, @Reggy1960 emphasized the impact of the high denial rates, writing, “Nigerian lady cries out after her US VISA got denied after spending millions of naira. This is the story of many Nigerians every year; there should be a refund policy.”

Another user, @MayJaYBaE, expressed frustration with the process, calling it a “scam,” and argued that visa applications were being used to exploit applicants from Africa and other developing regions.

Adding to the debate, @Slevin767025080 recounted his own tense experience at the U.S. embassy in Abuja, where he witnessed numerous applicants denied in rapid succession. “These people were denying folks in under 30 seconds. See Nigerians crying, explaining, and begging. Me I sha got mine, no real questions asked. But that day, I felt sorry for myself being Nigerian. These guys no rate us.”

The incident has spurred wider discussions on social media, with Nigerians urging for reforms and financial protections to cushion the financial impact of unsuccessful applications. (Courtesy, excluding headline, Vanguard)