Nigerians travelling to the United States are increasingly facing sudden visa crack downs and travel disruptions, with many attributing the trend to stricter policies under President Donald Trump’s administration.
A top source familiar with the development, who spoke with BusinessDay, said his colleague’s U.S. visa was revoked just before a planned trip.
“One of my colleagues had his visa cancelled when he wanted to travel. I was only lucky when I travelled to the U.S. three weeks ago. Since Trump’s return, a lot of people have been having issues with travelling to the U.S.,” he explained.
According to him, student visas have virtually stalled, with applicants either denied or left without updates.
He noted that individuals whose activities are perceived as negative or critical of the U.S. government have had their visas abruptly cancelled.
He also claimed that even some U.S. citizens accused of certain violations have been deported or had their citizenship withdrawn, underscoring “an uncompromising stance” by American authorities.
The development has raised concerns among Nigerians who rely on US visas for education, professional engagements, medical travel, and family visits.
Many have been forced to cancel plans at the last minute, incurring significant financial costs.
The source mentioned that the situation could strain Nigeria-U.S. relations, particularly in education and business, where thousands of Nigerians engage with American institutions annually.
However, further updates are expected from the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, which has yet to issue a formal statement on the matter.
Ojochenemi Onje @BusinessDay
