The United States is once again tightening the reins on immigration, and this time, Nigeria is back in the spotlight. According to a leaked State Department memo cited by The Washington Post, President Donald Trump's administration is weighing a sweeping expansion of its travel ban, this time targeting 36 countries, mostly in Africa. If approved, the move would mark a significant shift in US foreign and immigration policy, with wide-ranging implications for diplomacy, trade, and especially for thousands of international students and families.
Why Now?
Signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the memo sets a strict 60-day window for the affected countries to meet new US security and document verification standards. These include demonstrating the ability to produce credible civil documents, reducing high visa overstay rates, and showing alignment with US immigration protocols. Nations failing to comply risk facing severe restrictions ranging from visa limitations to full travel bans. Initial action plans were reportedly due by the following Wednesday at 8:00 a.m.What's at Stake?
Many of the countries listed already suffer from political instability, weak governance, or security challenges. The US memo claims that these factors contribute to unreliable identity systems and significant visa abuse. Some affected countries like Ghana, Egypt, and Nigeria are key US allies and economic partners. Others are small island nations and low-income states, raising concerns about whether these broad measures are proportional or fair.The Countries on the List
Africa (25 countries):- Angola
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Cabo Verde
- Cameroon
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Liberia
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Niger
- Nigeria
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Senegal
- South Sudan
- Tanzania
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Dominica
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Bhutan
- Cambodia
- Kyrgyzstan
- Syria
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
What This Means for Nigerians
For Nigeria, inclusion on this list brings fresh anxiety. The country was briefly placed on a similar restriction list in Trump’s first term, which triggered widespread concern among students, professionals, and families hoping to visit or relocate to the US. Many Nigerians have invested heavily in American education, with parents selling properties and taking loans to fund their children’s dreams. If this ban takes effect, it could abruptly shut down those aspirations. It also signals a growing shift in US policy towards African countries—one that critics say favours control over cooperation.Conclusion
With 60 days to comply, Nigeria and the others face a diplomatic sprint. But beyond technical compliance, the bigger question looms: can immigration be managed with fairness, or will sweeping policies like this create more walls than solutions? As the clock ticks, the future of US-Africa relations and the fate of thousands of would-be travellers hang in the balance.
