In a major foreign policy move, U.S. President Donald Trump has expanded his travel ban to include Nigeria, among other countries, in sweeping visa restrictions set to take effect January 1, 2026. The administration’s new travel policy, part of a broader expansion covering 39 nations, places partial restrictions on Nigerian nationals seeking U.S. visas — particularly student, work, and visitor categories — over cited security screening and vetting concerns.
Officials in Washington say the expanded ban responds to national security issues, including visa overstay rates and information-sharing challenges, though the move has drawn swift criticism from human rights and immigration advocates.
The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria has stated the policy is not designed to “penalize Nigerians,” emphasizing that some exemptions will apply, including for holders of diplomatic/official passports and certain religious travellers.
Nigeria News Today
Reactions in Abuja and Lagos range from concern over the impact on students and business travellers to calls for diplomatic engagement to review the restrictions. The new measures mark one of the most significant shifts in U.S.–Nigeria travel policy in decades.
