US cites terrorism, security risks, imposes partial travel ban on Nigerians, suspends key visa categories

The United States government has announced fresh travel restrictions on Nigerians, escalating diplomatic strain between Washington and Abuja amid renewed security concerns and allegations of persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

Under the new policy approved by President Donald Trump’s administration, 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 suspension affects travel for business, tourism, academic studies, vocational training and exchange programmes.

The White House confirmed the decision in a proclamation released on Tuesday, citing terrorism, persistent insecurity in Nigeria, challenges in vetting travellers, and a high rate of visa overstays as the basis for the action.

“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 said the activities of extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State in parts of Nigeria have created serious screening and vetting difficulties for American immigration officials.

“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 pointed to visa compliance data, noting that 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.

In addition to suspending entry under the listed visa categories, US consular officers in Nigeria have been directed to shorten the validity period of any other non-immigrant visas issued to Nigerians, where permitted by law.

The latest move follows the recent designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” by the US, after President Trump accused the Nigerian government of failing to curb the persecution of Christians. Some US-based religious advocacy groups have framed the violence as a form of “Christian genocide,” an allegation Nigeria has firmly denied.

The Nigerian government has argued that the country’s security crisis is driven by a mix of terrorism, banditry, farmer-herder conflicts and organised crime, and not by state-sanctioned religious persecution.

Despite the heightened rhetoric, diplomatic contacts between both countries have continued. On Monday, US Ambassador to Nigeria Richard Mills met with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, to discuss security challenges and other bilateral issues.

Nigeria is among 15 countries newly placed under partial US travel restrictions. Others include 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 from 1 January and will apply only to foreign nationals who are outside the United States and do not hold valid visas as of that date.

“The restrictions and limitations imposed by this proclamation are necessary to garner cooperation from foreign governments, reduce overstay rates, enforce our immigration laws, and advance important foreign policy, national security, and counterterrorism objectives,” the White House said.

Exemptions were granted to lawful permanent residents, holders of diplomatic visas, athletes participating in major international events, and certain special immigrant visa categories. The US also made provisions for persecuted ethnic and religious minorities from Iran.

Separately, the US imposed a total travel ban on Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger, Syria and Sudan, citing unreliable civil documentation, widespread corruption and weak government control that complicate vetting processes.

The proclamation further extended restrictions to Palestine Authority passport holders, with the US pointing to the ongoing Israel–Hamas war in Gaza and the presence of Hamas in Palestinian population centres.

The White House said the measures are aimed at preventing the entry of individuals whose backgrounds cannot be adequately verified and safeguarding the United States from terrorism and other security threats.