Nigeria Among 15 Countries Facing U.S. Travel Restrictions Over Terrorism Concerns

By Emmanuel Kwada 

The United States has expanded its travel restrictions, adding Nigeria and 14 other countries to a list facing partial entry limitations, while imposing full suspensions on several others.

The measures, announced in a presidential proclamation signed by President Donald Trump on December 16, aim to address deficiencies in screening, vetting, information-sharing, and high visa overstay rates.

The partial restrictions suspend entry for immigrants and certain nonimmigrant visas, including B-1/B-2 for business and tourism, F/M for students and vocational training, and J for exchange visitors, from the affected countries, though exceptions may apply for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, or cases serving U.S. national interests.

U.S President, Donald Trump

The 15 countries newly subject to partial travel limitations are Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

These join existing partial restrictions on Burundi, Cuba, Togo, Turkmenistan (now modified), and Venezuela.

The White House specifically cited ongoing security challenges in Nigeria, stating that radical Islamic terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State operate freely in certain parts of the country, which creates substantial screening and vetting difficulties.

Additionally, data from the Department of Homeland Security’s Fiscal Year 2024 Entry/Exit Overstay Report showed Nigeria with a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 5.56 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 11.90 percent.

New restrictions are set to take effect on January 1, 2026, for applicants without valid visas as of that date.

The proclamation imposes full entry suspensions on nationals from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria. It also fully restricts individuals holding Palestinian Authority-issued travel documents.

Laos and Sierra Leone, previously under partial restrictions, have been elevated to full suspensions. Ongoing full restrictions remain in place for Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

Turkmenistan was partially removed from restrictions due to demonstrated improvements in identity management and information-sharing.

The expansion builds on restrictions reinstated earlier in 2025, reflecting concerns over national security, immigration enforcement, and counter-terrorism.

The White House emphasized that the measures are intended to prevent the entry of foreign nationals about whom the United States lacks sufficient information to assess the risks they pose and to encourage cooperation from foreign governments.

Boko Haram members in Borno state

Recent U.S.-Nigeria engagements include discussions on security cooperation and religious freedom. Earlier this month, the U.S. announced separate visa restrictions targeting individuals accused of undermining religious freedom in Nigeria.

Diplomatic meetings, including between Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar and U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills, have focused on mutual concerns, with the U.S. expressing interest in enhanced collaboration on terrorism and information-sharing.

The new restrictions are set to take effect on January 1, 2026, for applicants without valid visas as of that date.

This development marks a significant escalation in U.S. immigration policy under the Trump administration, affecting travelers, students, and business visitors from the listed nations. Affected individuals are advised to consult official U.S. government sources for case-specific guidance.

Read Also: Gumi: A Sheikh above the law in Nigeria