Nigerian President meets US President Donald Trump amid discussions on potential visa ban on Nigeria.
Washington, D.C. (Epicstorian News) —The United States government is reportedly considering a sweeping visa ban on Nigeria and 24 other African countries, increasing its immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump’s administration.
According to The Washington Post, the potential sanctions are outlined in a memo signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and distributed to diplomats stationed across the affected nations.
The memo was issued just a week after the administration imposed a travel ban on seven African countries.
This new list significantly broadens the scope of U.S. travel restrictions, targeting a total of 36 countries—25 of them in Africa.
Countries named alongside Nigeria include Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Egypt, Ghana, and Uganda.
The list also features nations like Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Malawi, Niger, and Zimbabwe.
Reason for Possible US Visa Ban on Nigeria
The U.S. memo cites several grounds for the visa ban on Nigeria and others. Chief among the reasons are inadequate civil documentation systems, failure to cooperate on deportations, and cases of government fraud.
Additionally, a large number of nationals from these countries have reportedly overstayed their visas in the U.S.
Some countries were accused of offering citizenship-for-cash schemes, while others allegedly allowed individuals with antisemitic or anti-American histories to enter the U.S.
The United States has given these nations a 60-day deadline to address the issues. Affected governments must submit an initial action plan by 8:00 a.m. on an upcoming Wednesday, detailing how they intend to meet U.S. requirements to avoid sanctions.
African Countries Under Growing Pressure from US Travel Policy
The proposed visa ban on Nigeria is not an isolated action. It follows a broader pattern of travel and immigration restrictions targeting African nations.
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In early 2025, the Trump administration drafted a potential ban list of 43 countries, 22 of which were African. Nigeria was not on that preliminary list.
In a related past development, the U.S. imposed a travel ban affecting seven African countries, sparking strong criticism from African leaders.
According to a new report by the African Union Commission, these repeated visa policies are now threatening decades of U.S.–Africa diplomatic ties. The AU stressed that arbitrary travel decisions may damage mutual interests.
African Union Calls for Balanced Policy on Travel Bans
In response to the growing trend of U.S. travel bans, the African Union Commission has called for a reassessment of America’s immigration strategy toward Africa. It emphasized the importance of evidence-based policymaking over generalizations and unfounded suspicions.
“The African Union Commission respectfully appeals to the United States to exercise this right in a manner that is balanced, evidence-based, and reflective of the long-standing partnership between the United States and Africa,” the AU said.
The AU also warned that these travel bans could hurt bilateral programs on education, trade, and counter-terrorism—sectors where Nigerian and U.S. cooperation has historically been strong.
What the Visa Ban on Nigeria Means for Nigerians
If implemented, the visa ban on Nigeria could severely impact thousands of Nigerians seeking to travel for education, work, and family reunification. The U.S. is a top destination for Nigerian students, with over 17,000 currently enrolled in American institutions.
The potential policy may also disrupt U.S.-Nigeria business relations, especially among Nigerian entrepreneurs in tech and health sectors who frequently travel to the U.S. for investment and training.
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For Nigerians already in the U.S., the ban could signal tougher enforcement, stricter visa renewal procedures, and limited consular access.
US Seeks Safe Third-Country Agreements
To mitigate some of the perceived risks, the U.S. memo also suggests that affected countries sign “safe third country” agreements.
Such agreements would allow migrants to be sent to a third nation for asylum processing—reducing the load on the U.S. system.
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Countries that accept this offer or agree to take back deported nationals may be able to escape the full consequences of the visa ban.
