Shehu Sani Reacts as US Slams New Visa Restrictions on Nigerians, Others
by Muslim Muhammad Yusuf, https://www.facebook.com/legitngnews · Legit.ng News · Join- Senator Shehu Sani raised concerns over the latest US visa restrictions, saying the expanded policy now affects ordinary Nigerians and not only government officials
- He pointed out that early reactions on social media had assumed the first visa ban was limited to political actors accused of religious persecution
- The expanded US travel restrictions had added Nigeria, among other nations, facing partial visa limitations
Legit.ng's Muslim Muhammad Yusuf is a 2025 Wole Soyinka Award-winning journalist with over 8 years of experience in investigative reporting, human rights, politics, governance and accountability in Nigeria.
Former senator Shehu Sani has offered a blunt analysis of the latest United States visa restrictions, saying the policy sends a wider and more troubling message than many Nigerians initially realised.
The former senator noted that the second wave of restrictions tells a different story.
Reacting on X (formerly Twitter), Sani said the first phase of visa bans announced earlier had focused on individuals accused of religious persecution
The development earlier triggered celebrations on social media, as many assumed only government officials would be affected.
“The second visa restriction is for everyone, now that Nigeria is listed among 23 others,” Sani wrote.
He added that the updated list was dominated by Black African and Caribbean countries, despite safety and security being cited as the justification.
According to him, the absence of Arab countries on the list raises questions about the broader intent of the policy.
“The message is very clear; Third World migrants are NOT welcomed. Stay back and build your country or deal with your problems,” the former lawmaker stated.
To him, the inclusion of Nigeria and similar countries confirms that the policy is no longer about a few officials or specific offences, but about a wider push to shut the door on migrants from developing nations.
US expands travel ban, adds Nigeria
Sani’s comments followed a fresh move by the Donald Trump administration to tighten US entry standards for travel and immigration.
On Tuesday, December 16, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation expanding America’s travel restrictions, adding 15 more countries — including Nigeria — to the list of nations facing partial visa limits.
As reported by USA Today and NBC News, the affected countries were deemed to have shown “persistent and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing,” which US authorities say pose risks to public safety and national security.
The newly added countries are:
- Nigeria
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Benin
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Dominica
- Gabon
- The Gambia
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Senegal
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
- Tanzania
- Tonga
The White House said the restrictions are aimed at preventing entry where American officials lack “sufficient information” about travellers’ backgrounds, while also advancing broader foreign policy objectives.
Who is exempted?
Despite the tougher stance, the updated proclamation includes exemptions for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, diplomats, athletes, and individuals whose entry is considered to be in the US national interest. However, it introduces tighter limits on some family-based immigrant visa categories.
Earlier in 2025, the Trump administration had announced outright visa bans on citizens of 12 countries and imposed restrictions on seven others, alongside additional measures targeting skilled migrant workers as part of efforts to protect US jobs.
Under the US Immigration and Nationality Act, the president is empowered to suspend the entry of immigrants for a fixed period, indefinitely, or until such a proclamation is amended or lifted.
US introduces tough visa rules
Legit.ng earlier reported that tourists from dozens of countries, including the UK, could be asked to provide a five-year social media history as a condition of entry to the US, under a new proposal unveiled by American officials.
The new condition would affect people from dozens of countries who are eligible to visit the US for 90 days without a visa, as long as they have filled out an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) form.