The United States has imposed new travel restrictions on Nigerians, heightening diplomatic tensions between Washington and Abuja over security concerns and allegations of religious persecution.
Under the directive issued by the administration of President Donald Trump, Nigerian nationals are barred from entering the US as immigrants or as non-immigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M and J visas. The move affects travel for business, tourism, academic studies, vocational training and exchange programmes.
The White House announced the decision in a proclamation published on Tuesday, citing terrorism, persistent insecurity in Nigeria, difficulties in vetting travellers and high visa overstay rates.
“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 linked the measure to the activities of extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State, saying their operations in parts of Nigeria complicate screening and background checks.
“Radical Islamic terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State operate freely in certain parts of Nigeria, which creates substantial screening and vetting difficulties,” the White House said.
The administration also cited visa compliance data, claiming 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.
Beyond the suspension, US consular officers in Nigeria have been directed to reduce the validity of any other non-immigrant visas issued to Nigerians, where permitted by law.
The decision comes weeks after the US designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern,” following accusations by President Trump that Christians are being persecuted in the country — claims the Nigerian government has rejected, describing the security crisis as complex and not religiously driven.
Despite the tensions, diplomatic engagements have continued. On Monday, US Ambassador to Nigeria Richard Mills met with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, to discuss security issues and other bilateral concerns.
Nigeria is among 15 countries newly placed under partial US travel restrictions, alongside Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
According to the proclamation, the restrictions will take effect on 1 January and apply only to foreign nationals outside the US who do not already hold valid visas.
The White House said exemptions apply to lawful permanent residents, diplomatic visa holders, athletes attending major events and some special immigrant visa categories. The US also imposed total travel bans on Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger, Syria and Sudan, and extended restrictions to Palestine Authority passport holders, citing security and vetting concerns.
US authorities said the measures are aimed at strengthening immigration enforcement and protecting the country from terrorism and other security threats.
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