The United States government, under President Donald Trump, has announced fresh travel restrictions affecting Nigerian nationals, citing security challenges and difficulties in effective vetting.
Under the new policy, Nigerians seeking entry into the US as immigrants or as non-immigrants on B-1 (business), B-2 (tourism), B-1/B-2 (business and tourism), F (academic studies), M (vocational studies), and J (exchange programmes) visas will no longer be admitted. The measure also affects prospective green card holders.
The White House disclosed the decision in a proclamation published on its website on Tuesday.
“The entry into the United States of nationals of Nigeria as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas, is hereby suspended,” the proclamation stated.
US authorities said the decision was informed by Nigeria’s persistent security challenges and the activities of extremist groups, which they said complicate background checks and risk assessments. The proclamation referenced the operations of Boko Haram and the Islamic State in parts of the country as contributing factors.
The administration also cited visa overstay records, noting that Nigeria recorded a 5.56 per cent overstay rate for B-1/B-2 visas and an 11.90 per cent overstay rate for F, M and J visas, according to official reports.
In addition, US consular officers in Nigeria have been directed to reduce the validity period of other non-immigrant visas issued to Nigerians, where permitted by law.
The new restrictions come weeks after the US designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern,” following allegations by President Trump that the country was enabling the persecution of Christians by extremist groups. Nigerian authorities rejected the claim, describing the security situation as complex and multifaceted.
Despite the restrictions, diplomatic engagements between both countries have continued. On Monday, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, met with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, to discuss issues of mutual concern, including security cooperation.
Restrictions extended to other countries
The proclamation also imposed similar restrictions on 14 other countries, bringing the total number of affected nations to 22. Newly added countries include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
According to the White House, the measures will take effect from January 1 and apply only to foreign nationals outside the US who do not hold valid visas as of that date.
The administration said the restrictions are aimed at strengthening immigration enforcement, reducing visa overstays, improving cooperation with foreign governments and advancing national security and counterterrorism objectives.
While certain categories, including lawful permanent residents, holders of diplomatic visas, athletes participating in major international events and some special immigrant visa holders, are exempted, new visa applicants from affected countries will not be permitted to enter the US for now.
Total travel ban imposed on select countries
In a related move, the US imposed a full travel ban on Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger, Syria and Sudan, citing unreliable civil documentation, weak criminal record systems and widespread corruption.
The administration also extended restrictions to holders of Palestine Authority passports, citing the prolonged conflict in Gaza and the presence of Hamas in Palestinian population centres.
US officials maintained that the travel measures are necessary to protect the country from security threats and to ensure that only individuals whose backgrounds can be properly verified are allowed entry.
