United States President Donald Trump has announced a fresh round of travel restrictions affecting Nigeria and several other countries, citing national security concerns, terrorism, and visa overstay rates.
In a proclamation issued by the White House on Tuesday, Trump said he had signed an order “expanding and strengthening entry restrictions on nationals from countries with demonstrated, persistent, and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing.”
Nigeria was specifically named in the proclamation, with U.S. authorities arguing that ongoing security challenges in parts of the country complicate effective screening of travellers seeking entry into the United States.
According to the White House, the presence of extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State in certain regions of Nigeria poses “substantial screening and vetting difficulties” for U.S. immigration authorities.
The proclamation also referenced visa compliance concerns, citing U.S. immigration data. It noted that Nigeria recorded a B-1/B-2 (business and tourism) visa overstay rate of 5.56 per cent, while the overstay rate for F, M, and J visas—largely issued to students and exchange visitors—stood at 11.90 per cent.
The latest move reflects Trump’s renewed hardline stance on immigration and mirrors similar travel bans imposed during his previous administration, many of which sparked international criticism and legal challenges.
Other countries affected by the new travel restrictions include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
As of the time of filing this report, Nigerian authorities had yet to issue an official response to the decision. The ban is expected to have significant implications for Nigerian travellers, students, and businesspeople seeking entry into the United States.
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