The administration of United States President Donald Trump has significantly expanded its travel restrictions, placing Nigeria on a list of countries facing new entry limitations. A proclamation signed on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, added 15 nations to the existing controls, with Nigeria subjected to partial restrictions.
Core Reasons: Security Threats and Visa Compliance
US authorities disclosed two primary justifications for the move. The first centres on security concerns within Nigeria. The White House proclamation specifically cited the operational freedom of radical Islamic terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State in certain regions. It stated this environment creates substantial difficulties for US officials in screening and vetting visa applicants reliably.
The second major reason involves visa compliance data. The administration pointed to official overstay figures, noting that Nigeria recorded a 5.56 percent overstay rate for B-1/B-2 visitor visas. The rate was significantly higher for student and exchange visas (F, M, and J categories), reaching 11.90 percent. These statistics were deemed indicative of systemic compliance issues.
Specific Impacts on Nigerian Travelers
Under the updated order, the entry of Nigerian nationals into the United States as immigrants is suspended. The suspension also applies to nonimmigrants seeking entry on specific visas, including:
- B-1 (business visitors)
- B-2 (tourist visitors)
- F and M (student visas)
- J (exchange visitor visas)
Furthermore, US consular officers have been directed to limit the validity periods of other non-immigrant visas issued to Nigerian applicants, operating within the boundaries of US law.
Exemptions and Other Affected Nations
Despite the new clampdown, the proclamation outlines several exemptions. The restrictions do not apply to:
- Lawful permanent residents of the US (green card holders)
- Individuals who already hold valid US visas
- Diplomats and athletes
- Those whose entry is deemed to serve US national interests
Nigeria joins a list of other nations affected by this expansion, primarily in Africa. The full list includes Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Tonga. US officials stated these countries exhibited persistent shortcomings in information sharing and vetting procedures that could threaten public safety.
This action is part of a broader immigration posture by the Trump administration, which has previously imposed visa bans and restrictions on citizens of other countries in 2025. The move aligns with the administration's stated goal of tightening controls on migration, framed as necessary to address security vulnerabilities and protect American jobs.
