The recent visa restrictions imposed on Nigerians by the United States government are said to be tied to Nigeria’s refusal to accept deported asylum seekers from the U.S.
According to diplomatic sources who spoke with The Cable, the decision was part of broader demands from the administration of President Donald Trump, which Nigeria rejected. This move has triggered subtle diplomatic sanctions, including limiting visa validity for Nigerians to a single three-month entry.
Since returning to the White House, Trump has revived a hardline immigration policy that includes pressuring countries to host asylum seekers deported from the United States while their cases, often spanning up to seven years, are processed.
While countries like Rwanda, El Salvador, South Sudan, and Panama have accepted such arrangements, Nigeria has flatly declined, diplomatic insiders confirmed.
“Discussions were held, but Nigeria was unwilling to accept non-citizens, many of whom had years left on their asylum applications,” one source disclosed.
Many of the deportees in question are reportedly convicted criminals, which further complicates Nigeria’s stance.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria announced sweeping changes to visa issuance, cutting the duration and frequency of non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas to Nigerians. The embassy cited Nigeria’s failure to meet certain reciprocity standards.
Contrary to claims on social media, Nigeria has never stopped issuing five-year visas to U.S. citizens. Physical visas still offer validity ranging from three months to five years, depending on the category and entry type.
Nigeria’s recent e-visa system, introduced in March, offers a 90-day single-entry visa and is available to all non-ECOWAS nationals, including Americans.
However, the U.S. does not extend a similar electronic visa option to Nigerians, prompting concerns over uneven reciprocity.
Security, Criminal Data Access Part Of U.S. Demands
The Cable further revealed that Washington has demanded access to Nigeria’s criminal database, citing the need to identify Nigerians in the U.S. with past convictions for potential deportation.
Also on the table was a request for Nigeria to allow online application for U.S. citizens’ five-year visas, bypassing in-person embassy visits, a request Nigeria declined, citing non-reciprocity.
The development follows a familiar script of President Trump’s negotiation style, as outlined in his book, “The Art of the Deal.”
According to a diplomatic source, “He applies maximum pressure, often starting with punitive actions, and offers concessions only after getting what he wants.”
This approach has dominated his handling of tariff wars and immigration negotiations since his return to power.
Nigeria’s deepening alignment with BRICS, an economic bloc Trump views with scepticism, is also believed to have contributed to the strained U.S.-Nigeria diplomatic rapport.
In a telling diplomatic signal, Nigeria was excluded from Trump’s meeting with African leaders at the White House on Wednesday, where economic partnerships were discussed.
The meeting was reportedly aimed at strengthening U.S.-Africa economic ties, but Nigeria’s absence was noted as symbolic of a widening rift.
Reacting to the U.S. visa clampdown, the Nigerian government described the move as inconsistent with the values of reciprocity, equity, and mutual respect that guide relationships between friendly nations.
“We urge the United States to reconsider its decision in the spirit of partnership, cooperation, and shared global responsibilities,” Nigeria stated in its official response.