US Imposes Partial Travel Restrictions on Nigeria Over Security Concerns

The United States government has placed Nigeria under a new set of partial travel restrictions, citing concerns over national security, extremist activity, and immigration compliance. The announcement follows a presidential proclamation signed by President Donald Trump, aimed at tightening US border security and improving vetting processes for foreign nationals.

The proclamation, released by the White House on December 16, affects Nigerians seeking certain immigrant and non-immigrant visas, including B-1, B-2, F, M, and J categories. While the restrictions do not constitute a full travel ban, applicants may face heightened scrutiny, longer processing times, and a higher likelihood of rejection. Existing visa holders, lawful permanent residents, diplomats, athletes, and travelers whose visits serve US national interests remain exempt. Waivers will continue to be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The US government cited the activities of extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State, which are reported to operate in parts of northern and northeastern Nigeria. According to the White House, the presence of these groups poses challenges to US authorities in screening and vetting prospective travelers. Visa compliance data also informed the decision. Nigeria’s B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate was recorded at 5.56 percent in Fiscal Year 2024, while students and exchange visitors on F, M, and J visas had an overstay rate of 11.90 percent. While these figures are lower than those for several other affected countries, US officials said they must be considered alongside broader concerns, including document integrity, identity verification, and regional instability.

The proclamation noted systemic issues in several restricted countries, including unreliable civil documents, widespread corruption, nonexistent birth registration systems, and poor law enforcement data-sharing. These factors, the White House stated, impede accurate vetting and increase security risks for the US. Nigeria’s designation as a partially restricted country places it in the middle tier of the US travel policy. Five African countries—Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, and South Sudan—face full travel bans due to severe security breakdowns and high visa overstay rates. Other countries under partial restrictions, alongside Nigeria, include Angola, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The White House emphasized that restrictions are country-specific, designed to encourage cooperation and reform while acknowledging each nation’s unique circumstances. The administration cited Turkmenistan as an example, noting that improvements in identity management and information sharing led to the easing of some restrictions. Nigeria was first identified as a country of particular concern in October 2025, following allegations of human rights violations, including reports of violence against Christian communities. The new proclamation builds on this designation, framing it as part of a broader effort to strengthen US national security and enforce immigration compliance.

Analysts suggest that the restrictions may have far-reaching effects on Nigerians seeking education, business, or family reunification in the US. While short-term disruptions are expected, US officials stress that the measures are intended as leverage to encourage Nigeria to improve border security, documentation standards, and cooperation on immigration matters. President Trump, in a statement

accompanying the proclamation, said, “It is the President’s duty to take action to ensure that those seeking to enter our country will not harm the American people. These restrictions are necessary to protect our national security, enforce our immigration laws, and encourage cooperation from foreign governments.”

The White House fact sheet also highlighted that family-based immigrant visa categories with high fraud risks have been narrowed, while exceptions for diplomats, athletes, and national interest travelers will remain in place. For Nigerians, this means visa applications will likely undergo more rigorous screening, with increased documentation requirements. Students, exchange visitors, and those seeking visitor or business visas may experience longer processing times. However, the partial nature of the restrictions allows for exemptions and case-by-case waivers, signaling that the door to the US is not fully closed.