Amid reports that former U.S. president Donald Trump could reintroduce travel bans affecting Nigerians, former Senator Shehu Sani has urged Tinubu to respond with equal force if Nigerians are barred from entering the United States.
Trump, is reportedly considering fresh immigration restrictions that could affect citizens of Nigeria and 35 other countries. According to a leaked memo signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the countries have been given a 60-day window to meet new criteria laid out by the State Department.
Reacting on X (formerly Twitter), Sani said: “The US should not ban Nigerians from travelling to their country. There is no reason to do that. We don’t fall into the category of those countries they consider as threats. But if they eventually ban us, our country should respond with similar gesture.”
He added: “However, there are those of us who appreciate the peace and dignity of our villages and mud houses than going to live in places where we are not welcomed.”
The memo, obtained by The Washington Post, directs U.S. embassies to inform the listed countries about the new benchmarks and submit an initial action plan by 8 a.m. Wednesday. Failure to comply could result in immediate travel restrictions.
READ MORE: Trump Plans Visa Ban on Nigerians, Cites Corruption, Fraud, Poor Database Under Tinubu’s Government
The proposed policy forms part of a broader executive order Trump signed earlier this month. The directive targets countries flagged for weak identity documentation systems, elevated terrorist activity, or governments unwilling to cooperate with U.S. immigration enforcement.
Trump defended the measure during a national address: “Very simply, we cannot allow open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen those seeking to enter the United States.” He continued: “That is why today I am signing a new executive order placing travel restrictions on countries including Yemen, Somalia, Haiti, Libya, and numerous others.”
Among the newly affected nations are: Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Uganda, and Zambia. Some of the memo’s language accuses countries of “widespread government fraud,” “incompetent authorities,” and promoting “citizenship for sale” schemes.
Critics have compared this latest directive to Trump’s controversial 2017 travel ban, which drew outrage for targeting predominantly Muslim and African countries. The current proposal reportedly includes additional nations such as Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Sudan, Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Iran.
The U.S. says restrictions may be lifted or adjusted if countries show willingness to collaborate on deportation agreements and security screening procedures.
Trump referenced a recent violent attack in Boulder, Colorado, during a speech defending the policy. While investigations are ongoing, he used the incident to reinforce his narrative around foreign threats: “In the 21st century, we’ve seen one terror attack after another carried out by foreign visa overstayers from dangerous places all over the world. We don’t want them here.”
As of the time this report was filed, Tinubu’s administration had not issued any formal reaction to the looming travel sanctions.
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