USA Considers Visa Ban On Nigeria And 24 Other African Nations.
In a development that has sparked widespread discussion, the United States is reportedly considering imposing a visa ban on Nigeria and 24 other African countries, according to a recent report by The Washington Post. The proposal, outlined in a memo signed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and sent to diplomats on Saturday, reflects growing concerns over security and immigration policies under the Trump administration.
The list of affected nations includes a diverse range of African countries such as Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Alongside these, 11 non-African countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, Bhutan, Cambodia, Dominica, Kyrgyzstan, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Syria, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, are also under consideration for similar restrictions.
The memo cites reasons such as high rates of visa overstays, inadequate identity document systems, and allegations of antisemitic or anti-American activities by some individuals from these nations. The US has set a 60-day deadline for the affected countries to address these concerns, with an initial action plan due by Wednesday, offering a potential pathway to avoid the ban if benchmarks are met.
This move follows a recent travel ban imposed on seven African countries and comes amid heightened scrutiny of immigration policies. The African Union Commission has expressed concern, urging the US to adopt a balanced approach that respects long-standing diplomatic ties. Reactions across Africa have been mixed, with some viewing it as a challenge to national dignity, while others see it as an opportunity to strengthen governance and security frameworks.
The proposal has yet to be finalised, and amendments may still be made. For now, it signals a significant shift in US foreign policy that could impact millions, particularly in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation. As discussions unfold, the international community watches closely to see how this will shape transatlantic relations.
