The United States has imposed new travel restrictions on Nigerian nationals, suspending entry for those seeking to immigrate or visit on several nonimmigrant visa categories, including business, tourism, academic studies, and exchange programs.
The decision, announced by the Trump administration, cites ongoing security concerns and challenges in vetting applicants from Nigeria due to persistent security crises and the presence of radical Islamist groups such as Boko Haram.
The ban specifically targets holders of B-1 (business), B-2 (tourism), B-1/B-2 (combined business and tourism), F (academic studies), M (vocational studies), and J (exchange programs) visas.
The US government states that these measures are necessary to ensure national security and to address high rates of visa overstay among Nigerian applicants.
The White House also directs consular officers in Nigeria to reduce the validity of any other nonimmigrant visas issued to Nigerian citizens, where legally permissible.
These new restrictions mean that Nigerians holding visas for the affected categories will no longer be able to enter the United States, and the policy is expected to impact thousands of prospective immigrants and visitors.
The US government emphasizes that the decision is based on Nigeria’s inability to meet minimum standards for information sharing and document verification, as well as ongoing security challenges within the country.