United States President, Donald Trump, on Tuesday announced a fresh round of travel restrictions on Nigeria and several other countries, saying the move was necessary to protect America’s national security and public safety.
In a statement issued by the White House, Trump said he had signed a proclamation “expanding and strengthening entry restrictions on nationals from countries with demonstrated, persistent, and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing.”
Nigeria was singled out in the proclamation, with U.S. authorities claiming that security challenges in parts of the country pose difficulties for effective vetting of travellers.
“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 also cited visa compliance issues, referencing U.S. immigration data.
According to the statement, 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 — issued largely to students and exchange visitors — stood at 11.90 per cent.
The new restrictions are part of Trump’s renewed hardline immigration posture, which echoes similar travel bans imposed during his earlier tenure, many of which drew international criticism and legal challenges.
Apart from Nigeria, other countries affected by the latest travel ban include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
However, Nigerian authorities had yet to issue an official response to the decision, which is expected to affect travellers, students, and business people seeking entry into the United States.
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